Which statement is true about rimfire cartridges?

Which statement is true about rimfire cartridges?

• A. They require a separate primer inserted into the cartridge
• B. They use a center primer
• C. They have no primer
• D. The primer is located in the rim of the cartridge

Answer: (D)

In rimfire cartridges, the priming compound sits around the edge of the base—the rim. When the firing pin strikes the rim, the rim crushes and the primer ignites, driving the flame into the powder charge. This is why the primer is located in the rim. That makes the statement about the primer being in the rim true. A claim that a separate primer is inserted describes centerfire priming, not rimfire. A claim of a center primer is also centerfire. A claim that there is no primer is false because rimfire cartridges do have a primer, just located in the rim.

In rimfire cartridges, the priming compound sits around the edge of the base—the rim. When the firing pin strikes the rim, the rim crushes and the primer ignites, driving the flame into the powder charge. This is why the primer is located in the rim.

That makes the statement about the primer being in the rim true. A claim that a separate primer is inserted describes centerfire priming, not rimfire. A claim of a center primer is also centerfire. A claim that there is no primer is false because rimfire cartridges do have a primer, just located in the rim.