Since the caliber's inception in 1887, multiple .22 LR rifles have emerged on the rimfire scene. Few have been received like the Xpert from Winchester Repeating Arms.

A lightweight, maneuverable, and highly accurate bolt-action rifle, the Xpert has an 18-inch button-rifled barrel with a Bentz-style chamber that melds into a tough-as-nails polymer stalk.

The Xpert rifle has earned praise from experienced shooters for its exceptional accuracy, which they attribute to the Rimfire M.O.A. Trigger. This three-lever design, which is also found in Model 70 big-game rifles, ensures a smooth, crisp break with zero creep, zero take-up, and zero over-travel.

Another Xpert win is its hemispherical firing pin. Without a center primer to strike, misfires happen. Winchester wanted to create a bolt-action rimfire rifle that would boost the reliability of rimfire ammunition. Mission accomplished! When you load your Xpert with quality ammunition, the gun fires flawlessly with every trigger pull.

Regarding sight systems, you can pick your poison. You can stick with the adjustable rear and front sight and experience excellent open-sight accuracy, or you can take advantage of the drilled and tapped receiver and add an optic. If you've never put an optic on a rimfire, we suggest you take advantage and add one to your Xpert. The rifle is priced right, leaving room for an optic purchase.

The Xpert's user-friendly controls got a facelift. More extensive controls boost ease of use and make the rifle functional for a wide range of experience levels. Shooters love the extended, silky-smooth bolt handle, which adds leverage for clean and controlled cycling. The safety is at the rear of the receiver and within easy reach, and dual ambidextrous magazine releases on the sides and bottom of the Xpert provide a pair of release options. Also, Winchester Repeating Arms designed these magazines to fall into the hand for quick magazine changing and reloading.

OK, so it's not new and doesn't need to be. There isn't much, if anything, Winchester Repeating Arms needs to change concerning the Xpert. However, this hyper-accurate bolt-action is now available in Winchester's 21 Sharp, which is fantastic!

The .22 LR will always be the rimfire king, but if you're a rimfire lover, the 21 Sharp remedies at least one .22 LR issue. The 21 Sharp fits in a .225 diameter case and is loaded with a more aerodynamic bullet with a diameter of .2105. Capable of firing a more decadent selection of ballistically advanced bullets faster than the .22 LR, the 21 Sharp is popular amongst paper and steel punchers and those chasing small game.

When you feed an extremely accurate rimfire, like the 21 Sharp cartridge, good things happen on the range and in the field. Plus, the lack of recoil and smooth cycling allow shooters—with iron sights or a receiver-mounted optic—to make quick follow-up shots.

The 21 Sharp may be a screamer, but it loses energy and drops quickly beyond 100 yards. However, up to that distance, there is zero drop, making the caliber even more attractive to target shooters and small-game hunters.

Finally, the 21 Sharp cartridge is the lead-free. Lead is becoming less and less kosher, and rimfire owners want a caliber that has multiple lead-free bullet options in various grain weights.

• Barrel Length: 18 in.
• Overall Length: 36 1/4 in.
• Length of Pull: 13 1/2 in.
• Drop at Comb: 7/8 in. 
• Drop at Heel: 7/8 in.
• Weight 4 lbs. 8 oz.
• Magazine Capacity: 10
• Twist Rate: 12" 
• Barrel Finish: Matte Black
• Stock Finish: Gray
• Barrel Material: Steel
• Barrel Contour: Sporter 
• Stock Material: Composite
• Recoil Pad: Plastic Butt Plate
• Sling Swivel Studs: Integrated Composite
• Receiver Material: Steel 
• Drilled and Tapped: Yes
• Trigger Finish: Matte Black
• Magazine Type: Detachable