Term

Rimfire

Cartridges with the primer compound spread inside the rim of the case.

Rimfire cartridges have the priming compound spun into the hollow rim of the case at manufacture. The firing pin strikes the rim to ignite. Rimfire is cheaper to make but limited to lower pressures and cannot be reloaded. The dominant rimfire cartridge is .22 LR — the most-fired round in the world.

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