GUNTALK S1: Rimfire Review, Pt 1

Published on April 29, 2011
Duration: 6:13

This video provides an overview of rimfire cartridges, focusing on the versatility of the .22 Rimfire and introducing the .17 HMR. It highlights the cost-effectiveness and variety of .22 LR ammunition, including specialized loads like CB caps and shot shells. The .17 HMR is presented as a higher-velocity, longer-range option, demonstrated through chronograph testing and a 170-yard steel target hit. The discussion also touches on the challenges of developing semi-automatic .17 HMR firearms due to bolt speed.

Quick Summary

The .22 Rimfire cartridge, over 120 years old, remains popular for its affordability, low recoil, and quiet operation, suitable for hunting, competition, and training. Specialized loads like CB caps and shot shells offer unique applications, while the newer .17 HMR provides significantly higher velocity for extended range shooting.

Chapters

  1. 00:24Introduction to Rimfire Cartridges
  2. 01:18.22 Rimfire Ammunition Variety and Cost
  3. 01:51Specialized .22LR Ammunition: CB Caps & Shot Shells
  4. 03:09Introducing the .17 HMR Cartridge
  5. 03:38.17 HMR vs .22LR Velocity Comparison (Chronograph)
  6. 04:31.17 HMR Long Range Performance (170 Yards)
  7. 05:17.17 HMR Semi-Auto Challenges
  8. 05:59Improving .22LR Accuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the .22 Rimfire cartridge so popular and versatile?

The .22 Rimfire is popular due to its long history (over 120 years), affordability for practice, lower recoil, and quieter report. It's used for hunting, competition, and even the Olympics, offering a wide variety of ammunition types for different applications.

How does the .17 HMR cartridge compare to the .22 Rimfire in terms of performance?

The .17 HMR offers significantly higher velocity, with chronograph tests showing over 1500 fps more than a .22 Rimfire. This increased velocity allows for longer effective shooting distances and potentially the ability to take down larger game than typically associated with .22 LR.

What are some specialized types of .22 Rimfire ammunition mentioned?

The video discusses CB caps, which are very low recoil and quiet, ideal for revolvers. It also mentions match ammunition for competition and shot shells, often used for pest control (rat shot) or small varmint defense.

Why are semi-automatic .17 HMR firearms difficult to produce reliably?

The high velocity of the .17 HMR round results in a very fast bolt speed in semi-automatic actions. This speed can quickly damage or 'beat to death' the lighter bolts typically found in traditional .22 Rimfire semi-automatic firearms, posing a significant engineering challenge.

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