Winchester Debuts New 21 Sharp Ammo: The Next Evolution Step in Rimfire Technology

Winchester Ammunition has unveiled 21 Sharp™, a new rimfire cartridge that promises to revolutionize the shooting experience for both recreational enthusiasts and small game hunters.

This innovative cartridge represents a leap forward in rimfire technology and performance. At its core, 21 Sharp™ is the product of Winchester's engineering prowess, designed from scratch to deliver superior accuracy and on-target performance with both traditional lead and modern lead-free projectiles. While previous attempts to incorporate lead-free options into the classic .22 Long Rifle (LR) cartridge have fallen short in terms of accuracy and performance, 21 Sharp™ breaks new ground by being purpose-built to excel with lead-free projectiles rather than adapting to them as an afterthought.

The versatility of 21 Sharp™ is evident in its compatibility with a wide array of bullet types, including full metal jacket (FMJ), copper matrix, and plated-lead options. Additionally, the cartridge supports jacketed hollow point (JHP) bullets, offering extreme expansion and energy transfer for enhanced stopping power.

Kyle Masinelli, Senior Director of Product Innovation and Strategy at Winchester Ammunition, emphasized the significance of this development: "21 Sharp™ represents a quantum leap in the rimfire category, which is one of the most popular ammunition types used globally. As industry leaders with over a century of cartridge development experience, we're committed to meeting our customers' current and future needs through innovation. 21 Sharp™ is a testament to that commitment."

The 21 Sharp™ lineup includes four distinct ammunition offerings:

1. Game & Target 25 grain, Copper Matrix: This Winchester-designed, lead-free rimfire bullet achieves sub 1.5 MOA groups at 50 yards, surpassing the accuracy of all existing lead-free .22 LR options.
2. Game & Target 37 grain, Black Copper Plated: Comparable to standard .22 LR offerings but with enhanced accuracy, this economical round is ideal for plinking applications.
3. Game & Target 42 grain, FMJ: Winchester's high-performance full metal jacket bullet is engineered for extended range sessions, requiring less frequent cleaning and maximizing shooting time.
4. Super X® 34 grain, JHP: This jacketed hollow point bullet outperforms the .22 LR in accuracy, expansion, and impact energy, making it particularly effective for small game hunting.