The rimfire world has long been dominated by stalwart cartridges like the .22 Long Rifle and .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire. However, the introduction of the .21 Sharp cartridge this year has sparked some renewed interest in rimfire innovation. This new round, developed by Winchester Ammunition, aims to fill a performance and environmental gap in the rimfire market while offering benefits for both small game hunters and target shooters.
Origins and Development
The .21 Sharp emerged from a development project with Winchester’s engineers. The project aimed at creating a rimfire cartridge that would combine the cost-effectiveness of the .22LR with the enhanced ballistic and terminal performance. In Winchester’s words, their goal was to “to bring the 22 LR into the modern age”. However, the engineers faced a dilemma: To utilize a non-heeled bullet, either the bullet had to be smaller in diameter to fit in a standard .22 LR case, or the case had to be larger to accept a .22-caliber bullet. They opted for the former, and by doing so it ensured that the chambers of .22 rifles would not have to be altered, but rather only the barrels. This makes chambering rifles for the new round much easier. Chamber pressures and overall case dimensions would remain exactly the same, while the new-aged bullet would reap ballistical rewards downrange. Winchester named the resulting cartridge the .21 Sharp. In essence, it shoots a .210-caliber bullet launched from a .22 LR case.
Technical Specifications and Performance
At the heart of the .21 Sharp’s design is its proprietary non-heeled projectile, developed by Winchester’s component division, carefully engineered to maintain stability across a wide range of velocities. The cartridge achieves a muzzle velocity of 1,750 feet per second with the 25 grain bullet from a standard 20-inch barrel, placing it squarely between the .22LR and .22 Mag in terms of power and effective range. This velocity, combined with the streamlined bullet design, results in a flatter trajectory and enhanced terminal performance compared to traditional .22LR loads.
Environmental Benefits
The development of the .21 Sharp has brought particular benefits to rimfire hunters and shooters in states with lead ammunition restrictions, such as California. Winchester offers the cartridge with monolithic copper bullets, providing a fully compliant option for small game hunting in lead-restricted areas. You can find all-copper .22LR ammunition, but it is more difficult and expensive to manufuacture due to the heeled bullet design. This all-copper advancement represents a significant step forward for hunters who previously had limited rimfire options in lead-restricted hunting zones.
Hunting Applications
For small game hunters, the .21 Sharp offers several distinct advantages. The cartridge’s improved ballistics extend the effective hunting range to approximately 125 yards, while its enhanced energy retention of the all-copper bullets helps ensure clean, ethical harvests on species like squirrels and rabbits. The moderate report and minimal meat damage make it particularly appealing for hunters who want to preserve their quarry for the table. Field testing has shown excellent performance on prairie dogs at these extended ranges, with the added benefit of reduced wind drift compared to .22LR bullets.
Target Shooting and Competition
Rimfire competitors can’t help examining the more aerodynamic shape of the .21 Sharp’s bullets and wonder how it would work for competition. Winchester’s only claim to precision for the .21 Sharp so far is “sub-1.5 MOA groups at 50 yards” for the Copper Matrix ammunition. That’s adequate for small game and varmint hunting accuracy out to that distance, but it doesn’t stack up with the accuracy of match ammo. Hopefully, Winchester will eventually take advantage of the high-BC bullet opportunity to produce match-grade ammunition (and rifles) for the challenge of shooting 300 yards and beyond.
.21 Sharp Firearm and Ammunition Availability
One major firearm manufacturer has responded enthusiastically to the .21 Sharp’s introduction. Savage has led the way with four bolt-action offerings, and Winchester should offer their own rifles in 2025. Winchester offers four different .21 Sharp loadings in bullet weights of 25, 34, 37 and 42 grains. Three of these Winchester lists as “Game and Target” offerings, with the fourth, listed as “Target and Varmint” featuring a 34-grain JHP bullet, intended for hunting small game.
Cost Considerations
While .21 Sharp ammunition commands a price premium over standard .22LR, it remains significantly more affordable than centerfire options. Projected market prices range from $8 to $12 per box of 50 rounds, which is still fairly affordable for rimfire ammo. The enhanced performance and versatility can often justify the additional cost for serious shooters and hunters who demand more from their rimfire firearms. Also, consider the cost of rebarreling an existing rifle or purchasing a new rife.
Practical Considerations
Shooters considering the .21 Sharp should note that the availability of rifles and ammunition at local retailers may be somewhat limited for the next 6-12 months. Also, while the .21 Sharp represents an advancement in rimfire cartridge design, its future success in both hunting and target shooting applications is still uncertain. We don’t yet know if it will become a permanent fixture in the rimfire world or another passing trend. The biggest thing going for it is the likely demand in states with lead ammunition restrictions. As more shooters discover its capabilities, the .21 Sharp has the potential of offering enhanced performance for those who demand more from their rimfire firearms.
