First Look: Winchester 21 Sharp Rimfire Cartridge

At GunDigest, we independently review products. However, we may earn a commission when you purchase through links on our site. Learn More

We take a quick look at 21 Sharp, a rimfire cartridge newly introduced by Winchester.

Winchester has just introduced a new rimfire cartridge, 21 Sharp, and the company says it has some major benefits to offer small game hunters and recreational shooters.

21 Sharp was designed to provide both good accuracy and on-target performance with lead-free projectiles as well as with traditional bullets. Winchester is launching the cartridge with four loads initially available, including the 37-grain Black Copper Plated Game & Target, the 42-grain FMJ Game & Target, the 34-grain JHP Super X and the lead-free 25-grain Copper Matrix Game & Target. Winchester says that the 25-grain Copper Matrix load outperforms all lead-free .22 LR loads available and that the 34-grain JHP Super X has greater accuracy, expansion and energy impact than comparable .22 LR loads.

Kyle Masinelli, Senior Director of Product Innovation and Strategy for Winchester Ammunition, said this about the new cartridge:

The 21 Sharp cartridge offers significant advantages in the rimfire category, which is one of the more popular types of firearms and ammunition used by millions of people throughout the world … Winchester leadership in cartridge development spans more than 100 years and as the global leader in ammunition design and manufacturing; it’s our job to serve our customers with innovative products that fit their needs now and into the future. That is what has been done with 21 Sharp.

As for rifles currently available in 21 Sharp, Savage Arms has just launched four of its bolt-action models chambered for it.

Load data published by Winchester:

NAME	SYMBOL	BULLET WEIGHT	BULLET TYPE	VELOCITY	ENERGY	BOX SIZE
Game & Target	S21SLF	25 grain	Copper Matrix	1,750 fps	170 foot-pounds	100 Rounds
Game & Target	X21C	37 grain	Black Copper Plated	1,335 fps	146 foot-pounds	100 Rounds
Game & Target	USA21	42 grain	FMJ	1,330 fps	165 foot-pounds	100 Rounds
Super X	X21JHP	34 grain	JHP	1,500 fps	170 foot-pounds	100 Rounds

For more information, visit winchester.com.

---

Raise Your Ammo IQ:

• Beyond The 6.5 Creedmoor: The Other 6.5 Cartridges
• The Lonesome Story Of The Long-Lost 8mm
• Why The .300 H&H Magnum Still Endures
• .350 Legend Vs .450 Bushmaster: Does One Win Out For Hunting?