What unique characteristic does the rimfire ammunition have?

Rimfire ammunition is distinctive because the primer is located in the rim of the casing. This design allows the firing mechanism to ignite the primer when the weapon’s firing pin strikes the rim. This characteristic is what sets rimfire cartridges apart from centerfire cartridges, where the primer is located in the center of the casing. The rimfire design generally leads to lower manufacturing costs and is often used in smaller caliber firearms, making it ideal for activities such as target shooting and small game hunting.

This unique placement of the primer is essential to how rimfire cartridges are loaded and fired, contributing to their specific applications in the shooting sports. Understanding this feature helps illustrate why rimfire ammunition is prevalent in many recreational shooting scenarios.