rimfiretyyppejä

Rimfire is a type of metallic firearm cartridge characterized by its priming compound located in a hollow rim at the base of the cartridge case. When the firing pin strikes the rim, it crushes the rim, igniting the priming compound. This ignition then sets off the main propellant charge within the case. The rimfire design is one of the oldest self-contained cartridge designs, dating back to the mid-19th century.

The most common rimfire cartridge is the .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR). This cartridge is widely used for recreational shooting, target practice, plinking, and small game hunting due to its low cost, mild recoil, and relatively quiet report. Other rimfire cartridges exist, such as the .17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire) and the .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire), which offer higher velocities and flatter trajectories than the .22 LR, making them suitable for varmint hunting.

Rimfire ammunition is typically manufactured with lead bullets, though some loads feature jacketed bullets. The cases are usually made of brass. The design of rimfire cartridges makes them generally less powerful and suitable for smaller calibers compared to centerfire cartridges, where the primer is located in the center of the case head. This difference in primer location also means that rimfire ammunition is generally not reloadable, as the rim is deformed during firing.