By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Savage Arms has just announced the release of four smallbore bolt-action rifle models chambered for the 21 Sharp, a sizzling rimfire cartridge introduced in 2023 by Winchester.
According to the Savage announcement, the four rifles being unveiled are the:
- Mark II F, which features a 21-inch blued sporter barrel with button rifling, a black matte synthetic stock, 10-round detachable box magazine and iron sights.
- B21 F, with a 10-round rotary magazine, 21-inch button-rifled barrel, composite stock and top tang safety. It is drilled and tapped for scope mounts.
- Mark II FV-SR, featuring a 16.5-inch heavy carbon steel barrel with fluting, a threaded muzzle and button rifling. It also has a black synthetic stock, 5-round detachable magazine and one-piece scope rail.
- Mark II Minimalist Green, with an 18-inch matte black barrel with a sporter contour and threaded muzzle, 2-piece Weaver scope bases and Boyd’s laminated Minimalist stock.
Savage Marketing Director Beth Shimanski noted that “Rimfire caliber additions are rare. Adding the 21 Sharp to our proven and coveted rimfire lineup is a win for everyone involved. We’re excited to see how plinkers, precision shooters and small game hunters take advantage of the new performance capabilities of this cartridge.”
All four Savage rifles feature the company’s AccuTrigger, which is also used on centerfire rifles and has proven itself in the field.
And what about this cartridge? Winchester’s website lists four loads in 21 Sharp including g a 25-grain copper composite bullet with a muzzle velocity of 1,750 fps and 170 ft-lbs. of energy; a 42-grain FMJ pill leaving the muzzle at 1,330 fps with 165 ft-lbs of energy; a 37-grain lead pill with black copper plating and a muzzle velocity of 1,335 fps and 146 ft-lbs of energy; and a 34-grain JHP clocking 1,500 fps at the muzzle, with 170 ft-lbs of energy.
There are drawings posted by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) of the cartridge, which Winchester says is good for target shooting and small game hunting.
Trajectory of the 21 Sharp isn’t bad, either, according to Winchester ballistics. The 25-grain bullet zeroed at 50 yards drops 3.4 inches at 100 yards, while the 42-grainer zeroed at 50 will drop 5.6 inches at 100. The 37-grain projectile drops 5.9 inches at 100 and the 34-grain bullet will drop 4.4 inches at 100. That’s plenty good for small game hunting and target shooting.
Will the 21 Sharp replace the .22 Long Rifle? Very unlikely, considering that the .22 has been around for more than a century, there are millions of rifles and pistols chambered for the cartridge and it has an unshakeable record among precision target shooters, small game hunters (rabbits, squirrels, raccoons) and recreational shooters. But the fact remains it is a sizzling new rimfire entry, so it looks to have staying power.
