New for 2022: 3 Winchester Defensive Ammunition Options

Winchester brings the thunder in '22 with a new .22 Win. Mag., Defender 12-Gauge and USA Ready in 10 mm!

by posted on January 19, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Winchester Primed For 22

Every January, the world's most famous manufacturers of guns and ammunition descend upon Las Vegas, Nevada for the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show. There they unveil the new products you'll be seeing on shelves over the coming year. Winchester Ammunition is "Primed for 22" with an exciting new lineup of ammo perfected for self-defense. In fact, there's so much new on tap from Winchester that the venerable company is releasing the news of their latest innovations day by day. Here's what we've learned on Day One!

Silvertip .22 Win. Mag.
Winchester's Silvertip line has been around for quite some time, but the addition of the .22 Win. Mag. chambering is definitely of interest for women who rely on a .22 for self-defense. Although most defensive experts agree that the .22 round is underpowered for defense, there are ways to maximize the impact of this rimfire round. The jacketed hollowpoint bullet was engineered for short barrels, and with a 40-gr bullet weight it delivers more terminal impact than traditional .22 ammunition. 

Defender 12-Gauge, #2 Shot
As you may guess from the name, this new shotshell was engineered specifically for home defense. Winchester perfected the chambering with copper-plated lead shot in the #2 size, which offers more manageable recoil without sacrificing significant terminal energy. Less recoil means faster follow-up shots ... should they be necessary.

USA Ready Defense 10 mm
The 10 mm has had its ups and downs among shooters, but these days are definitely "up" for those in the know! Why? As many defensive experts agree, this caliber offers ideal stopping power simply based on its ballistics. Winchester has maximized the self-defense potential with a unique bullet that incorporates what the company calls Hex-Vent technology. Originally developed for law enforcement, the Hex-Vent bullet design won't clog with "barrier material" such as winter clothing, so it expands reliably on target.

Keep an eye on this space for more innovations from Winchester for 2022!

Latest

Rao 4 Rules RSO On Range Photo By Rao
Rao 4 Rules RSO On Range Photo By Rao

4 Rules NRA Instructors Should Follow When Training Students

Don't stop with the the bare minimum when it comes to safety in the classroom. Go one step further and implement additional rules that apply to your location.

Tips for Setting Up a Tripod in Your Deer Blind

It's trickier than it looks. Here's how to make sure you and your tripod are in the ideal position for getting your game on target.

Uniquely American: The American Bison

The American bison is North America’s largest land mammal.

4 D’s of Securing Your Home

When it comes to making your home a hard target for intruders and burglars, it’s all about these four steps.

New Guns 2025: Springfield Armory SAINT Victors

Shorter, lighter and handier are all reasons this new iteration of the SAINT is a great choice for women learning how to use an AR-platform rifle.

The Armed Citizen® Reload November 14, 2025

One woman defends the life of her infant child, while another defends herself from an abusive adult daughter.

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.