Rim vs Rimless

Published on November 26, 2025
Duration: 2:59

This video from C&Rsenal, featuring expert Othais, provides an in-depth comparison of rimmed versus rimless cartridge designs, focusing on the 6.5mm Greek Mannlicher-Schönauer and 6.5mm Dutch. Othais, demonstrating high authority and deep technical knowledge, explains the historical advantages of rimmed cartridges, such as their function as a gas check and ease of extraction, particularly in revolvers. The video details why rimless cartridges became the standard for autoloading firearms due to improved magazine feeding and reliability, avoiding issues like rim lock.

Quick Summary

Expert Othais explains that rimmed cartridges historically offered safety benefits as gas checks and simplified headspace in bolt-actions, while rimless cartridges became the standard for autoloading firearms due to their ability to prevent rim lock and ensure reliable feeding in high-capacity magazines.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Rimmed vs. Rimless
  2. 00:27Historical Advantages of Rimmed Cartridges
  3. 01:23Safety in Tubular Magazines
  4. 01:44Extraction and Revolvers
  5. 02:05The Shift to Rimless for Automation

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main advantages of rimmed cartridges?

Rimmed cartridges offer a safety benefit by acting as a gas check if a case splits. They also simplify headspace in bolt-action rifles and are easier to manipulate manually from bandoliers or boxes. Their rim provides a clear ledge for extraction, beneficial in revolvers.

Why did rimless cartridges become the standard for modern firearms?

Rimless cartridges became the standard due to the rise of autoloading firearms. They prevent snagging in vertical magazines (rim lock), allowing for higher capacity and more reliable feeding, which is crucial for semi-automatic and automatic weapon systems.

How do rimmed cartridges affect magazine feeding?

In tubular magazines, the rim causes cartridges to sit at an angle, preventing the bullet tip from resting on the primer of the next round, reducing accidental discharge risk. However, in high-capacity vertical magazines, rims can cause rim lock, hindering reliable feeding.

What is the difference between rimmed and rimless cartridge extraction?

Rimmed cartridges are easier to extract because the rim provides a clear ledge for the extractor to grab. Rimless cartridges rely on an extractor groove above the case head, which is designed to work seamlessly with the feeding mechanisms of autoloading firearms.

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