Rimfire ammunition

The rimfire is a type of ignition for cartridge ammunition.

In contrast to today 's more common cartridges with percussion caps the priming composition is cast in rimfire cartridges in the overhanging edge of the brass sleeve. This is ignited indirectly upon impact of the firing pin by an axial crushing of the edge.

The advantage lies in the simple and inexpensive manufacture of the cartridges, since no additional parts are necessary as primer. A disadvantage is the edge that is beyond the sleeve and the space requirement of ammunition increased accordingly and has an impact on the supply and magazine storage. In addition, due to the ignition by compression of the edge of a maximum wall thickness, at least in this region of the sleeve. Of the combustion pressure and hence the maximum energy projectile are berenzt therethrough.

Today, the rimfire has completely disappeared from the military sector, but still finds wide use in small caliber ammunition, such as the cartridge .22 LR or .22 WMR ( Winchester Magnum Rimfire ), which is mainly used in the shooting sports, where the disadvantages are negligible.

• Cartridge ammunition