Rimfire cartridge: working principle and size

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:47

In 1842, a low-noise cartridge was designed in France, intended for training shooting. Today, this product is better known as a rimfire cartridge. Another name for the product is the "side-fire cartridge". Due to low noise and reliability in operation, as well as low cost, the projectile is very popular in the world.

Design of “sidefire” cartridges

In the 19th century, the product of the French gunsmith Louis Flaubert was a cartridge case with an impact composition pressed into the edge of its bottom. The projectile got its name due to the fact that during firing, the striker strikes not at the center, but at its peripheral part.

This cartridge was not equipped with a powder charge and primer. Only gases were enough to eject a bulletflammable compounds. When used, the sleeves often ruptured in the place where the metal, weakened by a double inflection, was subjected to the greatest gas pressure. Lead was predominantly used to make bullets. Sometimes other metals were also used for these purposes.

At that time, three projectile calibers were known: 9 mm, 6 mm and 4 mm rimfire cartridges. In 1888, on the basis of the Flaubert cartridge, American designers created their own version of the 5.6 mm caliber. The first modern rimfire cartridge is considered to be the 22 Short, which differs from its counterpart in the presence of a powder charge.

What is the function of the bullet insert?

A special insert is provided under the rimfire cartridge to prevent uncontrolled rotation of the bullet in the barrel bore. This, in turn, has a positive effect on the accuracy of fire. Inserts can be of two options:

• Easy removable. Mounted before firing.
• Fixed.

The bullet insert is a product with a smooth inner channel that tapers evenly closer to the muzzle. In this design, the principle of a “cylinder with pressure” operates, due to which accuracy is improved when firing. In the manufacture of the inner surface of the bullet insert, the channel-burning technology is used. This gives the product the necessary hardness.

Using Flaubert's cartridges

This ammunition is considered very low-powered and has a low muzzle velocity, not exceeding 200 m/s. Similarthe speed is typical for a medium air rifle. The difference between the bullet with which the Flaubert cartridge is equipped and the bullet of a wind weapon is that in the same caliber the bullet has a greater mass. Due to this, firearms are endowed with more energy.

Today, such cartridges are not as popular as they used to be - they have been replaced by blowgun bullets. The cartridges can be used at short distances. Today, the production of special revolvers adapted for firing these cartridges has been established. Revolvers are an effective means of self-defense. When firing from long-barreled weapons using "side-mounted" cartridges, there is no muzzle flash and no loud sound. Cartridges are in demand among farmers, as ammunition for shooting at harmful rodents. For such cases, manufacturers recommend products containing a spherical bullet. These cartridges are intended for smoothbore weapons.

The arrival of the Monte Cristo cartridge

In Russia, the weapons designer Beringer refined Flaubert's cartridge and became known to his consumer as “Monte Cristo”. Unlike the French counterpart, the Russian one was a product made of a stronger and longer sleeve. In addition, it was equipped with a powder charge of black powder. The shape of the bullet was also subject to change.

The improved cartridge was intended primarily for military purposes. Over time, he found his application in hunting and sports shooting. Due to the fact that the projectile has low power and does not pose a danger to human life,weapons using these ammunition do not belong to the category of firearms. Despite this, in the Russian Federation, the operation of weapons chambered for Flaubert is prohibited. This is due to the fact that there is no certification required by law.

What was the low-yield cartridge for?

At the time of the creation of Flaubert's patron, the goals were pursued:

• The cartridge must be quiet.
• Have low power - bullet penetration.
• When firing, give a consistently high accuracy of battle.

The 5.6mm rimfire cartridge meets all of the above requirements.

Standard Rifle Cartridge Specifications

• The weight of the bullet is 2.55 grams.
• The long chuck has a muzzle velocity of 335 m/s.
• At a distance of 50 m, the bullet speeds up to 300 m/s.
• At 100 m - 275 m/sec.
• Distance 300 m - 217 m/s.
• Use for sighting at a distance of 50 m is fraught with exceeding the trajectory of the bullet flight up to two meters.
• From 100 meters – 13.
• From 300 meters – 196.

The 5.6mm standard rimfire rifle cartridge gives best results indoors where temperature and humidity are constant.

Behringer cartridge today

Today, 5.6 mm caliber rimfire cartridges are very popular among consumers. The cylindrical sleeve is made of steel or brass. The protruding flange is equipped with a non-corrosive primercomposition and lead uncoated bullet. In order to reduce lead lead, they are treated with special paraffin lubricants. Instead of black powder, fast-burning, fine-grained, smokeless powder is used. The granulation in it is porous or spherical.

Sport Shooting Ammo Group

5.6mm rimfire cartridge found its way into competition shooting. Since all participants are in equal conditions, clear international standards are also provided for their inventory, according to which the cartridge can be:

Long rifle Long Rifle. Marking (LR) is provided for it. Used for shooting rifles and pistols. The cartridge has an initial speed of up to 350 m/s

Short - Kurz. Applies to pistols only. It is possible to produce high-speed shooting at silhouettes according to the established international rules only using this 5.6 mm rimfire cartridge. Dimensional characteristics of this caliber during sports events are considered mandatory for all participants. The country of manufacture is not taken into account

What are the names of cartridges and how are they marked?

Depending on their purpose, rimfire cartridges are divided into:

• Sports and hunting. The bullet weighs 2.6 grams, the cartridge is 3.5 g. The cartridge size is 25.5 mm, the bullet is 15.6 mm. Used by sporting rifles andcombination guns. These products are not labeled.
• Target-rifle. Ammunition dimensions correspond to sports - hunting cartridges. Used by standard rifles for shooting at short distances (50 meters). Marked with the letter “C”.
• Pistol. They are used by single-shot sports pistols at distances from 25 to 50 meters. Dimensions correspond to the target cartridges. They differ in the weight of the cartridge. The weight of the pistol is 3.3 grams. Marked with two superimposed five-pointed stars.
• Shortened. They are used for shooting at a distance not exceeding 25 meters in enclosed spaces. The length of the cartridge is 17.9 mm, bullets - 10.55 mm. Bullet weight - 1.87 g, cartridge - 2.52. For marking, an image in the form of a circle is used.
• Sports for exercise “Biathlon”. Dimensions correspond to similar sports and hunting cartridges. The mass of the bullet is 2.7 grams, the cartridge is 3.4 grams. A five-pointed star is used for marking.

Where else are they used?

Modern installation work is not complete without the use of special pyrotechnic devices such as construction rimfire cartridges. Today they have become indispensable on any construction site.

Using a rimfire mounting chuck, concrete, brick, plywood and other dense materials can be worked quickly and easily. Now using the mountingpistol and cartridges for it, the master does not need to drill a hole. Mounting is done immediately, which significantly saves time and effort.

What is a rimfire mounting cartridge?

The product is a special pyrotechnic device. In mounting guns, rimfire construction cartridges act as a source of energy needed to drive a dowel into materials of various densities. Unlike a live cartridge, a construction cartridge is considered blank, since it is not equipped with a bullet. It has the shape of a small sleeve, the muzzle of which is rolled.

Smokeless powder used for filling. The construction rimfire cartridge is active after the detonation of the igniter primer. The reaction occurs as a result of the impact of the striker on the flange edge. The rimfire cartridge in the construction industry is not the only option. There is also a type of Berdan and Boxer cartridges, for which primers are characterized by a central fire.

Which operating principle applies?

The 5, 6x16, 6, 8x11, 6, 8x15, 6, 8x18 caliber rimfire cartridges used by mounting guns make it possible to fasten materials and structures using dowels, the dimensions of which are from 3 to 8 cm. The principle is used in the work direct mounting.

Smokeless powder mass, which is filled with sleeves, after the detonation of the capsules, ignites with the release of gas. The resulting gas is the energy that acts ona dowel located in the barrel bore of the mounting gun. After the charge is ignited, the dowel begins to move along the bore to the surface of the materials to be mounted. As a result of the high voltage in the channel, the dowel becomes very hot. The strength and quality of the connection is achieved by sticking the body of the dowel to the surface.

Foreign manufacturer Sellier and Bellot

Among numerous manufacturers, the products of the foreign company Sellier and Bellot, which manufactures rimfire cartridges of caliber 5, 6 - 9 mm, have become very popular. Each product has a corresponding powder charge. Construction cartridges 5, 6 mm rimfire have an energy in the range of 100 - 500 J.

What design are the projectiles?

Mounting cartridges of a foreign manufacturer consist of a brass sleeve, an impact composition and a powder charge. In order to ensure its tightness, the muzzle of the sleeve is rolled with a radial asterisk. In some cases, a cardboard wad may be used.

Weaknesses

The disadvantage of the product is its high cost. This is due to the use of expensive brass in the production of sleeves. Another disadvantage of Sellier and Bellot products is that the powder charges are poured into the sleeve freely and are not pressed. As a result, the power of the cartridge is reduced.

Russian-made products

Building cartridges of calibers 5, 6-6, 3 mm, made in Russia, do not meet the requirements of the Brussels Convention, because they have a sleeve length overestimated by 5 mm. Besides, shehas insufficient strength to use charges with increased power. In Russia, construction rimfire cartridges of caliber 6.8 mm are produced. The powder charge is contained in a lacquered case closed with a radial star.

What is the ammo upgrade?

After numerous studies of mounting rimfire cartridges, the developers decided to strengthen them by increasing the density. This procedure is carried out by pressing a powder charge. Having solid walls, the sleeve is able to withstand such reinforcement. In a standard building cartridge, after hitting the striker, a granular powder charge is ignited. The lower part of the sleeve contains a charge with negligible density. The presence of gaps between the grains does not interfere with combustion. In the reworked cartridge, the density increases, and as a result, these gaps are reduced, which subsequently eliminates the occurrence of separate combustion zones in the sleeve.

It was decided to create a new cartridge caliber 5, 6 mm with increased power for use with mounting guns. In the modernized cartridge, the combustion volume increases significantly, and the process itself proceeds evenly. There is a complete combustion of powder elements. After increasing the density, the retention of gases by unburned powder layers is observed. As a result, sprockets or cardboard wads mounted on the sleeve do not open prematurely. Increasing the density by pressing the charge makes it possible to equip the case with a larger mass of gunpowder,which has a positive effect on power. It increases by 30%.

Thus, the upgrade only affected the content of the sleeve. External parameters and dimensions remained unchanged. Compared to identically sized standard mounting chucks, the new chucks are more powerful.

Conclusion

Ringfire cartridges may only be used after a safety briefing has been completed. Before starting work, the master must know what density the powder charge has, which dowel will be used. Knowing the design of these construction cartridges and their characteristics will help optimize work, as well as prevent damage to working material and tools.