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243 Winchester Load Data & Ballistics Calculator

Estimate chamber pressure and muzzle velocity for the 243 Winchester with the free, in-browser MyLoads internal-ballistics simulator. The figures below are illustrative estimates from a physics model — not a recommended recipe. Always cross-check a current published loading manual.

243 Winchester reference

Maximum average pressure (MAP)60,000 psi
Nominal case capacity54.5 gr H₂O
Groove / bullet diameter0.243 in (6.17 mm)

Example simulation illustrative

Bullet
Hornady 0.243 58 gr V-MAX
Powder
Vihtavuori N-140
Charge
39 gr
Barrel
23 in

Muzzle velocity

3,319 fps

Peak chamber pressure (interval, ±10% burn-rate)

32,527 – 41,822 – 52,465 psi

nominal is 70% of the 60,000 psi maximum average pressure

Pressure for this powder is extrapolated from a velocity-only fit — the pressure figures carry extra uncertainty in both directions.

Illustrative example — every figure is an estimate; always confirm your load against a current published manual before loading.

Use MyLoads as a 243 Winchester velocity and pressure calculator: it estimates muzzle velocity, muzzle energy and the full chamber-pressure curve for your own powder, charge and barrel length, compared against the reference facts above.

Open the 243 Winchester in the MyLoads calculator →

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