[dbooksta]

I've been wondering for some time, and web searches haven't turned up any answers: Does anyone know how they form a rimfire case around the primer compound?

I just can't think of any way to do that without pressing or stamping -- precisely the sort of thing that should ignite the primer! Forming the rim and then squeezing primer paste in there doesn't seem any safer.

 

[hailstone]

Formed rimfire case has a drop of liquid priming mixture deposited inside the case at which time the case is spun. Centrifical force moves the liquid priming mixture into the rim where it drys. That's how come your can hit the rim anywhere and it will fire.

 

[dbooksta]

Very clever. Do you know what solvent they use to liquify the primer compound?

 

[Cheezywan]

It sure would be educational and entertaining to tour a munitions factory on a 22LR production day!

From what I've read, hailstone is correct. The "primer mix" is fairly safe as long as it is "wet". It becomes "sensitive" after it dries(or cures). What the solvents might be, I have no clue? Probably best that I don't know.

I "wonder" how many rounds come off the line per hour?

Cheezywan

 

[geneus]

Thats real interesting i've always wondered how they made them.

seems thy could just put a little extra primmer in a 22 and they wouldn't even need any powder i've always wonderd if there are any like this?

 

[dbooksta]

seems thy could just put a little extra primmer in a 22 and they wouldn't even need any powder i've always wonderd if there are any like this?

Indeed they have: .22 "BB" or "CB" were among the first rimfire cartridges and contained no propellant other than the primer. They are still produced for "gallery" shooting -- indoors they're about as loud as an air rifle.

I have com across boxes of .22LR that were accidentally manufactured without powder. These "squib" loads still generate 200-300fps, though you have to be careful to ensure the bullet makes it out of the barrel each time!

 

[MontyF]

I have com across boxes of .22LR that were accidentally manufactured without primers. These "squib" loads still generate 200-300fps, though you have to be careful to ensure the bullet makes it out of the barrel each time!

Do you mean without powder?

 

[MontyF]

I've had numerous cases where a rimfire round wouldn't go off. Turning the case 180 degrees, usually it will fire.

What happened there? Was it just an instance where the firing pin struck the first time there was no primer mix?

 

[jaguarxk120]

Very clever. Do you know what solvent they use to liquify the primer compound?

Chances are it is the universal solvent: water.

 

[trapper9260]

I had some the would not go off and I taken it apart later and the powder that was to set it off was not stuck to the brass. it fell out with the powdert that charged .

 

[twodot]

It sure would be educational and entertaining to tour a munitions factory on a 22LR production day!

I "wonder" how many rounds come off the line per hour?

Cheezywan

probably more like how may per second
anyway I'll bet it's a bunch
..

 

[Cheezywan]

probably more like how may per second
anyway I'll bet it's a bunch
..

Might be a whole bunch of folks operating Lee-Loaders?

I have no idea what that would look like.

Cheezywan

 

[hailstone]

I have a book written by an executive in the Olin manufacturing plant explaining every aspect of ammunition manufacture. When I return home from my work site this holiday will look up the name and post it here for anyone interested.

"Ammunition Making" by George E. Frost is a publication of the National Rifle Association of America copyrighted 1990. You would have to check the NRA source to determine if its still in print and available. Mr. Frost worked for nearly six decades in the ammunition business before retiring. He started at Western Cartridge Co of East Alton IL staying for nearly 27 years.

 

[mattsbox99]

Chances are it is the universal solvent: water.

You are exactly right, primers are handled wet, and the solvent used is water. That is precisely why you can douse a box of primers, and they will be fine if you let them dry, and why water isn't a safe muting agent to "kill" primers.

The CCI plant in Lewiston, ID makes about 1 million .22LR cartridges a day, most are destined for the various "bulk" packs. Federal in Anoka, MN makes a little over a million a day, I don't know what Remington's production is, although I'm sure its right around a million a day. All these lines run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are completely automated.

Funny thing is that they also make about 1 million primers each every day, most of those are destined for factory loaded ammunition. Remington's plant in Lonoke, Arkansas is the largest in terms of square footage.

 

[dampoo]

abes books on internet has the book

Ammunition Making: An insider's story (ISBN: 0935998578 / 0-935998-57-8)
George E Frost
Bookseller: A Castle of Books
(Long Beach, CA, U.S.A.)

Bookseller Rating:

Quantity Available: 1
Book Description: National Rifle Association of America, 1990. Paperback. Book Condition: Used: Good. Crease to the spine. 8.5'' x 11'' (aprox.), Softcover bound book. * * * * * * * * * * {Any images shown next to the listing that have our 'aCastleofBooks' watermark on them are the exact item you will receive, all other images are for reference only. Free delivery confirmation for domestic orders. Books with Author signatures are guaranteed authentic. We understand collectors needs in terms of accurate grading and proper packaging. We stand behind our descriptions 100%. May have small easily erasable pencil markings on first page. All items will be shipped securely to insure that they arrive in exactly the same condition in which they left. Our Packing Slips do not contain any pricing information so you may order items as Gifts or for Dropship without concern. We ship every Monday, Wednesday & Friday morning. All items subject to prior sale. Images available for any item.}. Bookseller Inventory # 010485


$141, why are gun related books so expensive?

 

[hailstone]

Guess I better put that book in the safe deposit box. Think I paid something like $12-15 when I bought it about sixteen years ago. Too bad the 401k has increased like that book.

 

[digisol]

I would be interested in watching it made, shooting 22 BR and having to cough up to near $1 per round it might show me what the actual difference is between the stuff that costs $5 per box and the other that cost $50 per box.

Kinda makes c/f rifle more interesting, if not a lot cheaper.

The was a add I saw in a local shooting mag the other month where new unloaded, primed 22 cases were for sale, I would find reloading 22 rounds a new challenge if nothing else, can't find much information on what would be involved in it, powder and charge weights let alone bullets and then puting them all together.

Anyone know what powder they use ?

 

[mattsbox99]

Its a fast burning ball powder, most likely not canister grade. The match stuff probably is canister grade due to the consistency required from lot to lot.

Non canister grade powders typically vary greatly from lot to lot.

.22LR bullets are heeled, so they don't get crimped in the cases. Its probably quite difficult to do with typical handloading tools. You would likely need tools specifically designed for .22 LR.

.22 WMR can be loaded with better bullets using .22 Hornet dies, but its not a heeled bullet, nor is it as short as the .22 LR.

 

[langenc]

One of the Aquila line has no powder. I dont recall which. Many suggest it for use in 'populated' areas for rodent etc control-low noise.

 

[HarrySS]

The CCI plant in Lewiston, ID makes about 1 million .22LR cartridges a day, the line is fully automated, no humans playing with the priming fluid!


Yep a quick spin does it.