Rimfire
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A rimfire is a type of firearm cartridge. The most common is the .22 Long Rifle caliber. It is called a rimfire because instead of being a centerfire cartridge (in which a firing pin hits a primer inserted into the center of the base of the cartridge), the firing pin hits the rim of the base of the cartridge causing ignition of the priming compound at the base of the case, thereby igniting gunpowder inside. Although centerfire cartridge cases are reusable, rimfires are not because the base of the casing (usually brass) is deformed when struck with a firing pin. Rimfire cartridges are typically inexpensive, due primarily to such large production quantities. A box of 50 inexpensive .22 caliber Long Rifle cartridges typically costs less than 99 cents (US). Premium or match-grade .22 Long Rifle cartridges, as well as less commom or out-of-production rimfire cartridges (such as .22 Short, .22 Long, .32 Rimfire, .22 Winchester Auto, .22 Winchester Rimfire, 5mm Remington) can cost substantially more.
