Winchester Introduces New 21 Sharp Rimfire Cartridge
Winchester Ammunition has introduced the 21 Sharp™, a new rimfire cartridge with claimed “significant benefits for recreational shooters and small game hunters”. This new round is basically a .22 LR with a bit more zip and a non-rebated, slightly smaller diameter no-lead bullet. The main advantage of this new cartridge is that it works better with lead-free projectiles than the .22 LR. You can shoot the 21 Sharp from your existing .22 LR rifle, if you fit a new .21 caliber barrel. That barrel must have a smaller bore diameter and a slightly different throat/freebore configuration.
American Hunter explains: “For the mechanically curious among us, the .22 LR’s bullet diameter is .2255 inch, compared to the 21 Sharp’s bullet diameter of .2105. Both cartridges are spec’d to the same maximum average pressure of 24,000 PSI. Both have identical OAL of 1.00 inch, as well as identical case diameters, so both cartridges utilize the exact same case. While initial thoughts among industry folks were that surely the 21 Sharp would feature better ballistic performance due to the more aerodynamic projectile — and it does — the reality is that at the ranges for which this cartridge is intended (ideally inside 50 yards, max 150), the BC’s effect is negligible. Although Winchester Ammo says it will offer a range of bullet weights from 25 to 42 grains, the 21 Sharp’s primary loading [currently] is a 34-grain JHP bullet, which, with an advertised muzzle velocity of 1500 fps, performs pretty close to a .22 Stinger.”
The main reason for the creation of the new 21 Sharp cartridge is to offer slightly superior performance in 22 LR-action rifles with a lead-free cartridge that complies with the increasing number of anti-lead legal restrictions in U.S. states and foreign countries.
With the new 21 Sharp, according to American Rifleman: “All that should be necessary for most .22 Long Rifle-chambered firearms to shoot the new cartridge is a .21 Sharp barrel”.
Winchester is currently offering four types of 21 Sharp ammo, with bullet weights from 25 to 42 grains and velocities between 1300 and 1750 FPS. Winchester states: “The new 21 Sharp cartridge allows for a wide range of bullet types including full metal jacket (FMJ), copper matrix, and plated-lead options. Jacketed hollow point (JHP) bullets will also be available in 21 Sharp, delivering extreme expansion and energy transfer.” See chart below for the four options.
The 34-grain Super X JHP is expected to be the most popular. The 25gr Copper Matrix version has been tested by Peterson’s Hunting, which said accuracy was good, with velocities in the 1700 fps range. Tester David Draper noted: “Terminal performance was as expected with a rimfire round — a solid thump that tipped the prairie dogs right over. While the 21 Sharp isn’t meant to be a long-range round, fellow gunwriter Jeff Johnston was able to stretch its legs with confirmed kills out to 150 yards.”
21 Sharp Cartridge Chambering and Barreling Considerations
According to this video, the case on the new 21 Sharp cartridge is virtually identical to current .22 LR cases. However, and this is the KEY Point, the bullets have a smaller diameter and the chamber will have more free-bore. Existing .22 LR bullets have a slightly smaller diameter for the tail of the bullet which sits inside the case. The bullets for the .21 Sharp are straight taper (more like centerfire bullets) and will require a smaller-diameter barrel. We recommend you watch this video start to finish to understand the tech specifications of the new .21 Sharp cartridge.
American Rifleman states: “While the .21 Sharp will chamber in a .22 LR rifle barrel, due to its sub-caliber projectile, it cannot be fired with any degree of accuracy or precision. Additionally, .22 LR cartridges will not fit into a .21 Sharp chamber due to its heeled projectile. All that should be necessary for most .22 Long Rifle-chambered firearms to shoot the new cartridge is a [new] .21 Sharp barrel.”
Editor’s NOTE: We think it would have made more sense to use the .22 WMR case as the basis for the new .21 caliber rimfire ammo. This would allow higher velocities and better ballistics with the new .21 caliber bullets.
Final Note — Winchester Explains Why the 21 Sharp Was Created
Winchester claims the 21 Sharp design was created for “enhanced accuracy and on-target performance with both lead and lead-free projectiles.” Winchester states that: “Ammo manufacturers have tried with little success to incorporate lead-free projectiles into use in the venerable 22 Long Rifle (LR) cartridge. While those products are available, none have ever met the accuracy and on-target performance that a lead projectile can provide due to the original .22 LR design. The new 21 Sharp rimfire cartridge from Winchester was purposefully designed by Winchester to provide top performance with lead-free projectiles rather than accommodating them later.”
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Tags: .21 Caliber, .22 LR, 21 rimfire, 21 Sharp, Winchester .21 Sharp
“You can shoot the 21 Sharp from your existing .22 LR rifle, if you fit a new .21 caliber barrel.”
I’m guessing the writer is moonlighting from his job as a joke writer.
I seriously doubt that barrel manufacturers will follow suit with a 21 caliber barrel. This oddity is sure to be short lived!
“OK class, everyone raise your hand if your .22 has an interchangeable barrel system.” LOL
This post reminds me of the Editor’s wonderful April Fool’s Day jokes…
It’s life will be short lived.
Just my .02
Tim
I suggest the above posters check a previous post I started on the International Ammunition Association (IAA) web forum about the 21 Sharp, which answers some of their queries.
https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/21-sharp/55543
The text below being the most pertinent.
As can be seen, the case (not cartridge) dimensions are exactly the same, whereas the chambers, bores and bullets differ. The 21 Sharp uses the same case, it just doesn’t use a heeled bullet like the 22 LR.
Safety wise a 21 Sharp could be cambered in a 22 LR, but not the other way around.
When a 21 Sharp is cambered in a 22 LR, its 0.2105″ (max) bullet would be just smaller (3.25 thou, 82.6 µm) either side, so would zip down the bore with no potential excessive pressure problems.
In the other case, when an attempt to chamber a 22 LR in a 21 Sharp is made, it’s just not going to fit. Though you may get some idiot trying to force it in so the bullet swages down. Not sure if the case is strong enough for this, or what effect this forcing would have on the primer?
April 1st already?
Winchester has created a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist. We have 22LR, 22 Mag, and 17 Mag. There isn’t a void that needs to be filled.
Next will be the 18SLR (Super Long Rifle and the 19WMRC (MP) (Winchester Magnum Rimfire Creedmore)(Multi-purpose)
Just having fun.
Seems to be a waste of time and money to develop. I fail to see how this is much better than .22 LR. Come on, at least a wmr case to make it hotter.