The .243 rifle is chambered in .243 Winchester, a cartridge introduced in the 1950s. Its high velocity and flat trajectory make it effective to 300 yards and beyond. Recoil is low, which makes it manageable for younger or recoil-sensitive shooters. .243 Winchester rifles are used for deer, coyote, and varmint hunting, as well as open-field target shooting. Both bolt-action and semi-automatic models are available. Most accept a variety of scopes and optics for long-range use.