When it comes to hunting and precision shooting, two cartridges often find themselves in the spotlight: the .243 Winchester and the 22 Creedmoor. Both offer exceptional performance in their respective niches, but which one is right for you? Whether you’re taking down coyotes at 300 yards, punching prairie dogs at extreme distances, or ethically harvesting deer, understanding the nuances of these two calibers will help you make the right choice.
As Redleg Guns, we’ve built countless custom rifles chambered in both cartridges, so this comparison is rooted in real-world experience and hard data. Let’s dive into what makes these two calibers unique, where they shine, and how you can optimize them for your hunting and shooting needs.
1. Cartridge Overview
.243 Winchester
The .243 Winchester has been a staple in the hunting world since 1955. Known for its versatility, it’s one of the most popular cartridges for varmint hunting and medium game, like whitetail deer. It balances moderate recoil with excellent ballistics, making it accessible to shooters of all skill levels.
Factory Ammo: widely available, with numerous options for hunting and target shooting. Major brands like Hornady, Nosler, Federal, and Barnes all offer outstanding loads.
Reloading Potential: The .243 Winchester is a reloader’s dream, accommodating bullet weights from 55 to 115 grains. This flexibility allows you to optimize it for anything from long-range varmints to deer.
22 Creedmoor
The 22 Creedmoor is a modern contender that has gained a loyal following among precision shooters and hunters. Born from the popular 6.5 Creedmoor, it was designed for high-speed, flat-shooting performance with minimal wind drift. While it’s still less common than the .243, it’s carving out a space for itself in long-range hunting and varmint control.
Factory Ammo: Availability is growing, with brands like Hornady and Alpha Munitions offering excellent options.
Reloading Potential: Optimized for bullets between 50 and 90 grains, the 22 Creedmoor excels when paired with high-BC bullets for precision shooting. It thrives on speed, offering flatter trajectories than many calibers in its class.
2. Terminal Ballistics: Performance in the Field
Let’s break down how each cartridge performs on three common hunting targets: coyotes, prairie dogs, and deer.
Coyotes and Prairie Dogs (200-400 yards)
For these smaller, fast-moving targets, speed and accuracy are critical.
.243 Winchester:
Factory loads with 55-70 grain bullets (e.g., Hornady V-Max, Nosler Varmageddon) offer explosive terminal performance.
At 200 yards, the .243 delivers over 1,200 ft-lbs of energy, ensuring clean kills.
Moderate recoil makes follow-up shots manageable, especially in bolt-action rifles.
22 Creedmoor:
With lighter bullets like the 55-grain Sierra BlitzKing, the 22 Creedmoor achieves blistering muzzle velocities upwards of 3,900 fps.
Its flatter trajectory and reduced wind drift make it ideal for precision shooting at extended ranges.
It’s slightly easier on the shoulder, making it a personal favorite for semi-auto platforms.
Deer (100-300 yards)
When it comes to deer, energy and shot placement matter most.
.243 Winchester:
The .243 has a long history of success with deer. Factory loads like the 90-grain Nosler AccuBond or 95-grain Hornady SST deliver excellent penetration and energy transfer.
With a 95-grain bullet, the .243 produces over 2,000 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle, maintaining ethical performance at 300 yards.
22 Creedmoor:
Ethical for deer with precise shot placement. Bullets like the 88-grain Hornady ELD Match perform well, but energy levels drop off faster than the .243 at longer ranges.
In my opinion this cartridge is best suited for smaller deer or situations where precision is key.
3. Ballistics Comparison (Factory Ammo and Reloading)
Here’s how the two cartridges stack up side-by-side:
Cartridge | Bullet Weight | Muzzle Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Drop at 300 Yards (inches) | Wind Drift at 300 Yards (10 mph crosswind) |
.243 Win (Factory) | 87 gr Hornady V-Max | 3,210 | 1,990 | -7.3 | 4.9" |
.243 Win (Handload) | 87 gr Nosler BT | 3,400 | 2,236 | -6.8 | 4.4" |
22 Creedmoor (Factory) | 88 gr Hornady ELD Match | 3,150 | 1,940 | -6.8 | 4.5" |
22 Creedmoor (Handload) | 88 gr Hornady ELD Match | 3,300 | 2,126 | -6.4 | 4.0" |
Factory Ammo vs. Reloading: What’s the Difference?
.243 Winchester
Factory Ammo: The Hornady V-Max is an excellent all-around option for varmint hunting, offering great terminal performance and energy. At 3,210 fps, it’s fast and effective.
Handloads: By reloading, you can push bullets like the 87-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip to higher velocities (3,400 fps), increasing energy and flattening trajectory. Reloading also allows fine-tuning for your rifle's chamber and barrel harmonics,
resulting in better accuracy and consistent groups.
22 Creedmoor
Factory Ammo: Hornady’s 88-grain ELD Match is currently one of the best factory options for the 22 Creedmoor. At 3,150 fps, it delivers excellent ballistic performance with minimal wind drift and flat trajectories.
Handloads: With handloading, you can push the same bullet to 3,300 fps, maximizing the Creedmoor’s potential. Reloaders benefit from the cartridge’s ability to run high-BC bullets (like the Berger 85.5 Hybrid or Sierra 95 TMK) optimized for long-range performance. The improved speed reduces wind drift and drop, making the 22 Creedmoor even more lethal for precision shooting.
Reloading Notes:
.243 Winchester: Offers heavier bullets with higher sectional density, ideal for medium game like deer.
22 Creedmoor: Achieves higher speeds with lighter bullets, making it a better choice for long-range varmints.
4. Pros and Cons of Each Cartridge
.243 Winchester
Pros:
Proven versatility for varmint and deer hunting.
Widely available factory ammo.
Outstanding reloading flexibility.
Cons:
Slightly more recoil compared to the 22 Creedmoor.
Trajectory isn’t as flat as the Creedmoor with lighter bullets.
22 Creedmoor
Pros:
Flatter trajectory and superior wind resistance at long range closing the gap beyond 400 yards.
Reduced recoil, especially in semi-auto rifles.
Perfect for shooters who enjoy reloading and fine-tuning precision loads.
Cons:
Factory ammo options are still limited.
Not as energy-dense as .243, limiting its effectiveness for larger deer.
5. Real-World Experience: Why Redleg Loves Both
At Redleg, we’ve built rifles in both calibers, and each has a loyal following.
For .243 Winchester, we’ve seen hunters consistently successful hunting coyotes and deer with custom rifles designed for precision and reliability.
For the 22 Creedmoor, we’ve built many platforms that thrive in varmint hunting, where follow-up shots and fast handling are critical.
No matter the cartridge, we ensure every build matches the shooter’s goals perfectly.
Conclusion
Both the .243 Winchester and 22 Creedmoor have their strengths. If you’re looking for a versatile, all-around hunting cartridge, the .243 remains a gold standard. However, if you prioritize long-range precision and flatter trajectories for varmints, the 22 Creedmoor is hard to beat.
Call to Action
Ready to create the perfect rifle for your next hunt? Whether you’re chasing coyotes, prairie dogs, or whitetail, Redleg Guns can craft a custom rifle chambered in .243 Winchester or 22 Creedmoor tailored to your needs. Contact us today to discuss your dream build, or visit Redleg Guns to learn more. Let’s take your shooting to the next level!