Every year, we NRA Publications editors make our pilgrimage to Las Vegas, Nevada, to discover all of the new guns and gear on offer for our readers. Every year, that is, except this one. COVID-19 may have put the kibosh on the 2021 Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trades (SHOT) Show, but the dynamos at Winchester Ammunition haven't let the virus slow them down one iota. In fact, 2021's keeping the "win" in Winchester with four new ammo innovations that you'll want in your range bag, pronto. Here's the lowdown on the best of Winchester in 2021 (so far)!
1. 6.8 Western
The biggest news from the ammo giant is, of course, its twist on the 6.8 Creedmoor: the 6.8 Western. The difference? Well, unlike most things Western, Winchester's 6.8 Western is designed to be gentle on you. Like all things Western, though, it's absolutely devastating on game. It packs more terminal punch than 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm Rem. Mag., all while delivering less felt recoil than .300 WSM, .300 Win. Mag. and .300 PRC. The new 6.8 Western will be available in Winchester's Ballistic Silvertip Match and Expedition Big Game Long Range lines.
2. Deer Season XP Copper Impact .350 Legend
Does the number 350 sound legendary? It should; Winchester's .350 Legend cartridge was engineered just for America's favorite big game, the whitetail deer. (It works beautifully on mulies and blacktails, too!) The copper projectile is oversized and absolutely devastating on game at impact, all while offering the benefits of copper for those hunters who cannot or prefer not to use traditional lead bullets.
3. USA Ready Defense
What really got our interest about Winchester's USA Ready Defense personal-protection ammunition is that it was originally designed for law enforcement—but available now for civilians. The technology that makes it special is called Hex-Vent, and what it does is prevent the hollow point of the hollowpoint projectile from being "clogged" by heavy clothing. Instead, it directs fluid flow into that hollow point to make it expand faster. It will be available in 9 mm Luger +P, .40 S&W and .45 Auto initially.
4. AA Diamond Grade Elite Trap
Don't worry, Winchester hasn't forgotten about the clays shooters! The company's new AA Diamond Grade Elite Trap shotshells were created specifically for shooting competitions. The pellets are plated with 8% antimony, which translates to the hardest projectiles you can shoot at a clay pigeon. Although there's no substitute for good form and lots of practice, it will sure be nice to have a little extra edge ... a Diamond-Grade edge, at that.
Want to know more? We'll be sure to keep you posted, and of course, visit Winchester.com.
