Everything you ever wanted to know about .22 rimfire ammo, right?

TwoGunJayne · March-19-13 07:03

This page has a video of the "cupping press" used to form the cases. It describes how the cartridge casings are handled before priming.
http://www.nij.gov/training/firearms-training/module05/fir_m05_t06_01.htm
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How the casings are primed is described here:
http://www.nij.gov/training/firearms-training/module05/fir_m05_t07.htm
http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/Impossible-22-rimfire/
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Here is the history of the rimfire cartridge:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rimfire_ammunition
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A few words from CCI on the topic of rimfire ammo:
http://www.outdoorhub.com/stories/video-have-you-ever-wondered-how-rimfire-ammunition-is-made/
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Re-use old rimfire cartridges to make .223 bullet jackets with a swaging press.
http://www.shootingtimes.com/2011/01/04/ammunition_st_223short_200711/
http://www.corbins.com/kit-224.htm
Over 5,000 bullets need to be produced to cover the cost of the gear. It is suggested to keep the velocity under 3200 feet per second with these projectiles.
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Flatpoint, hollowpoint, and resizing your own .22 ammo, the Paco Kelly way.
http://www.gunblast.com/Paco2.htm
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The following information is provided for informational purposes only.

Backwoodsman magazine, July-August 2001, "Reload Those Rimfires" by Robert Miller
Summary:
1) Wash and dry brass, paying attention to the inside of rim.
2) Get strike-anywhere matches, cut off the white tips, mist lightly with water, gently mash and stir until you get a thick dough.
3) Put a little into the case and press firmly into the rim with a nail head.
4) Long-term air-dry the primed cases, or for higher risk, in a 200 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes, test if dry with a wooden toothpick, chamber a case and test
fire primer.

I have read about the water and strike-anywhere method used to make impact flash pellets for a pellet rifle and as a primer re-use method, it is also described in a certain US Army munitions handbook. Apparently, during times of privation and hardship, this technique has been used for reloading in several countries around the world... including the USA during the 20's and 30's. To attempt to reload a rimfire case with static-electricity-sensitive and shock-sensitive perchlorate is not safe, it's also quite corrosive to gun metal. In a revolver, particularly a mini, this could easily lead to "chain fire." This is *NOT* the same thing as the factory priming mix. Again, this is just for curiosity. It was really sad to see posters on all those websites out there getting it flat-out wrong. Don't try this, by the way, got it?

Kentucky Kevin · March-19-13 08:03

And some people sneer at "hoarders" we are the ones who are NOT BUYING during this madness because we have what we need already

TwoGunJayne · March-19-13 13:03

I was surprised that 1 CCI factory turns out 4 million rounds a day. If they went to 24 hour a day operation, that's 8 million. That's just 1 CCI plant, not counting Federal, Winchester, Remington, and foreign imports such as Eley, Fiocchi, Aquila, so on and so forth.

They only make rimfire at the rimfire plant, therefore cannot be diverted into producting another type of ammo. I simply can't fathom where all these rounds are vanishing. One thing is for sure: America is getting STOCKED!

Kentucky Kevin · March-20-13 07:03

I was surprised that the lowly .22 was the first American metallic cartridge.

Uncle_Lee · March-20-13 08:03

Quote from: Hardtackwon on March-20-13 07:03
I was surprised that the lowly .22 was the first American metallic cartridge.

22 short really.

Kentucky Kevin · March-20-13 08:03

I read it on the internet, and they can't post it if it's not true, rifgt?

Uncle_Lee · March-20-13 08:03

That's right.
If it is on the net, it is true.

Smith & Wesson came out with the first revolver with "bored through" chambers in the cylinder, in caliber 22 short. (black powder)

Bubba · March-21-13 23:03

Quote from: TwoGunJayne on March-19-13 13:03
I was surprised that 1 CCI factory turns out 4 million rounds a day. If they went to 24 hour a day operation, that's 8 million. That's just 1 CCI plant, not counting Federal, Winchester, Remington, and foreign imports such as Eley, Fiocchi, Aquila, so on and so forth.

They only make rimfire at the rimfire plant, therefore cannot be diverted into producting another type of ammo. I simply can't fathom where all these rounds are vanishing. One thing is for sure: America is getting STOCKED!

4 million rounds ÷ 500 rd (bulk pack) ÷ 50 states = 160 (500 rd bulk packs) per state, per day

think about how many gun shops want those 160 boxes, and how fast customer will buy them

... so even at 4 million per day it will take some time to re-stock all the shelves out there (even if people stopped buying it)

RogueTS1 · March-22-13 09:03

Quote from: Bubba on March-21-13 23:03
Quote from: TwoGunJayne on March-19-13 13:03
I was surprised that 1 CCI factory turns out 4 million rounds a day. If they went to 24 hour a day operation, that's 8 million. That's just 1 CCI plant, not counting Federal, Winchester, Remington, and foreign imports such as Eley, Fiocchi, Aquila, so on and so forth.

They only make rimfire at the rimfire plant, therefore cannot be diverted into producting another type of ammo. I simply can't fathom where all these rounds are vanishing. One thing is for sure: America is getting STOCKED!

4 million rounds ÷ 500 rd (bulk pack) ÷ 50 states = 160 (500 rd bulk packs) per state, per day

think about how many gun shops want those 160 boxes, and how fast customer will buy them

... so even at 4 million per day it will take some time to re-stock all the shelves out there (even if people stopped buying it)

Great point and way of exemplifying it. 160 boxes a day per state is not a lot of ammo to go around.

TwoGunJayne · March-22-13 09:03

Good thing that there are many more manufacturers than just the one CCI plant in Idaho!

2.5 billion per year divided by 50 states, 50 million rounds per state per year divided by 500 (bulk pack) divided by 365 days a year = 273 bulk packs per day in every state. This isn't taking into account Rhode Island and Texas, which no doubt are disproportionate and would break this simple math completely.

The simple math makes it look like it's very easy to create a .22 long rifle shortage, particularly when you combine it with panicked newly-converted newbie preppers.

We need more rimfire production on-line. That's all there is to it.

RogueTS1 · March-22-13 09:03

Do not forget some of that ammo is probably going to other countries too which would drop the number even more so.

Kevin · March-22-13 22:03

If I win that $320,000,000 Powerball jackpot Saturday, I'm gonna build me a .22 rimfire ammunition plant and get rich!

TwoGunJayne · March-23-13 07:03

Quote from: Kevin on March-22-13 22:03
If I win that $320,000,000 Powerball jackpot Saturday, I'm gonna build me a .22 rimfire ammunition plant and get rich!

You'll be filthy rich. If you win the Powerball and proceed with this project, I would like to subscribe to your newsletter and buy stock in your venture.

poncho · March-24-13 06:03

here in calif. the only store with ammo is turners, they have a delivery on friday. There was a crowd waiting to open..they have a 100 round limit on 22s and 4 boxes of shot shells..
I picked up a 100 of the new cci quiet-22lr..supposed to be 1/4 the sound of a regular lr ..
I was thinking. no way the range near me is getting the rec shooting like they use too,,
maybe they'll drop their fee. $20 all day I thought was a lot..I'm done blowing the cobwebs out after 30 40 minutes.

swolf · March-24-13 08:03

Anyone ever try, or know someone who tried, to re-prime a spent .22 case? (For scientific purposes in a controlled lab following all laws and regulations, of course.) I'd be interested in knowing the FTF rate of using the above-mentioned technique. (For potential post-apocalyptic purposes.)