New rimfire cartridge - the Winchester 21 Sharp.

[k1dude]

I'm surprised there hasn't been any noise over this new cartridge here on Calguns.

For over 50 years I've wondered why no one has made a better .22LR bullet design. We're still using crudely formed 22 lead bullets for the past 180 years. Why? Well, the wait is over.

The 21 Sharp solves a whole bunch of problems. No longer is the bullet base heeled to fit into the smaller brass. No longer will non-lead accuracy suffer. Fancy hollow points, polymer tipped, boat-tails, and other improvements will open up a whole new level of performance.

It only took 180 years, but I'm excited to adopt the new cartridge. As long as they can eventually make it about the same price as bulk .22 Long Rifle rounds, I'm in. If they can get it to 10 to 12 cents per round, they'll have a winner. With a fancier bullet, it will likely cost more than the current 8 to 10 cents per round for bulk 22.

https://www.americanhunter.org/content/review-winchester-21-sharp/

[FNGGlock]

Why not just make a short 22 WMR? I suspect the price will be very similar to the 22 WMR, which will defeat the purpose. It will be hard to gain traction for any cartridge in this range unless they can meet 22LR prices, and event hen it will need significant benefits. People who need more than the 22 LR tend to get 22 WMR or 17 HMR, both of which seem to have substantial benefits over the 21 sharp. Just my initial thoughts.

[FNGGlock]

It will be easier to just put lead free bullets in 22 WMR or the 17 HMR than a new caliber.

[stormvet]

Pretty much agree, nothing about it makes me want to run out and buy a rifle chambered in it. Certainly won’t be replacing my 22lrs or 22mag with it. And while they say it will be affordable, I doubt we will be seeing 330 bulk boxes of it for $23.

[bergmen]

"MSRP per box: $15-$25/100-rnd. box". ...and we have to buy new rifles and handguns to shoot them. This is "dead on arrival" to me.

Dan

[G-forceJunkie]

.22LR will be a dead cartridge when lead ammo is banned. It's coming someday. Accuracy of lead fee .22LR has been absymal in my match grade .22's. .22LR will die off someday and something will replace it...Is this it? Time will tell.

[Spyder]

Are heeled bullets inherently less accurate?

Using the same case as 22lr will help keep costs down. It's interesting, if the price is low enough I'd dabble. 17 gets real expensive when you shoot a hundred ground squirrels a day for several months out of the year.

[Spyder]

Are heeled bullets inherently less accurate?

Using the same case as 22lr will help keep costs down. It's interesting, if the price is low enough I'd dabble. 17 gets real expensive when you shoot a hundred ground squirrels a day for several months out of the year.

[BOBGBA]

If I can re-barrel my 10/22, the mags work and it still functions as a semi-auto.....

[FNGGlock]

Are heeled bullets inherently less accurate?

Interesting question, though plenty of 22LR ammo and gun combos that are very accurate. The low velocity and low BC is what makes it challenging and fun at 100yds and beyond. 22LR non lead ammo seems to suck though. Will have to see if 21 sharp is any good though, but too many people have a lot into 22LR already and it will take a lot to change.

[TAS]

If I can re-barrel my 10/22, the mags work and it still functions as a semi-auto.....

With so many 10/22’s out there, I think this could make or break the success of this new chambering. I don’t think I’d buy a new rifle/pistol for this round but I’d definitely consider swapping a barrel (plus misc parts?).

[FNGGlock]

With so many 10/22’s out there, I think this could make or break the success of this new chambering. I don’t think I’d buy a new rifle/pistol for this round but I’d definitely consider swapping a barrel (plus misc parts?).

From what I have seen the 21 sharp is a 22 case but doesn't use a healed bullet. So I would suspect in most cases a barrel swap should do the trick. But who will make barrels unless the cartridge becomes very popular. Something I don't see at 20-30 cpr for plain ammo.

[bergmen]

.22LR will be a dead cartridge when lead ammo is banned. It's coming someday. Accuracy of lead fee .22LR has been absymal in my match grade .22's. .22LR will die off someday and something will replace it...Is this it? Time will tell.

I've owned .22 rifles and handguns since 1962. Several target rifles that are more accurate than I am with regards to shooting skills. Also, I have 10s of thousands of .22 LR in all types of loads in my secure storage + thousands of .22 Magnum as well.

This is obviously not aimed at me so I basically ignore it. Also, lead is mined from dirt, we are just putting it back.

Dan

[1recluse]

An answer to a question that was never asked. Just a way to charge more money for ammo. YMMV.

[bergmen]

Also, a look at the Winchester site shows NO firearms listed or offered in the new .21 Sharp cartridge. It makes it hard to believe they are serious about this.

Dan