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Rimfire Ammunition

Browse our inventory of rimfire ammunition from trusted brands like Armscor/Rock Island Armory, Browning, CCI Ammunition, and Eley. KT Back Road Arms carries affordable, reliable rimfire ammunition built for plinkers, small game hunters, and recreational shooters who want consistent performance round after round. From .22 LR for a day at the range to .17 HMR for varmint hunting, we stock a wide variety of rimfire calibers to fit your favorite firearm. Pair your rounds with handguns, semi auto rifles, and lever action rifles from our lineup, or check out rifle ammunition, shotgun shells, and scopes sights and optics to round out your gear.

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Rimfire Ammunition Buying Guide

Browse rimfire ammunition online by comparing models, checking current availability, and reviewing specifications such as caliber, capacity, barrel length, and sight configuration. Rimfire cartridges remain a top choice for plinking, small game, and entry-level training thanks to low recoil and affordable per-round pricing.

Use these pointers to pick the right load for your platform:

  • Confirm your firearm’s chambering before ordering, since .22 LR, .22 Short, .22 WMR (.22 Magnum), and .17 HMR all use rimfire ignition but are not interchangeable across handguns and long guns.
  • Test multiple brands and bullet weights through your specific rifle, because rimfire cartridges are notoriously sensitive to chamber dimensions, and finding the load your semi-auto rifles cycle reliably can take some experimentation.
  • Choose subsonic or standard velocity loads for quiet plinking and accuracy work, then switch to high velocity or hyper velocity rounds for small game and pest control where terminal performance matters.
  • Stick with copper-plated or brass-cased lubricated lead loads for lever action rifles, since tubular magazines feed best with rounded profiles and consistent overall length.
  • Stock spare rifle magazines sized for your rimfire platform and rotate them during long range sessions, since dirty followers and weak springs cause more failures to feed than the ammunition itself.
  • Buy in bulk bricks or cases when budget allows, since rimfire pricing fluctuates with market conditions and a stocked locker keeps you shooting through periods of tight supply.

Local And Compliance Notes

Get rimfire ammunition online or stop by the gun shop in Mainesburg, Pennsylvania to handle different brands and pick up bricks for your next range day or hunting trip. KT Back Road Arms serves customers in the nearby cities of Mansfield, Troy, and the broader Tioga County, stocking the rimfire calibers most popular for backyard plinking, squirrel hunting, and youth shooting programs.

Federal law sets the minimum age for purchasing rimfire ammunition at 18 for rifle calibers and 21 for handgun-classified cartridges, and Pennsylvania follows those thresholds without adding state permits or registration. Anyone prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms is likewise prohibited from possessing ammunition, so confirm eligibility before checkout. Local township discharge ordinances and Game Commission regulations may apply when shooting on private property or hunting small game.

Transport rimfire ammunition in original packaging or sealed boxes, kept separate from loaded firearms during travel whenever practical, and store reserves in a cool, dry location to preserve primer reliability. For questions about specific brands, bulk availability, or load recommendations, contact the shop and the team will help you match stock to your firearm and shooting plans.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rimfire Ammunition

1. What is the difference between rimfire and centerfire ammunition?

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Rimfire cartridges have priming compound spun into the rim of the case, which the firing pin strikes to ignite the powder. Centerfire cartridges use a separate primer seated in the center of the case head, allowing for higher pressures and reloadable brass.

2. Why is .22 LR so popular for training new shooters?

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.22 LR produces minimal recoil, low muzzle blast, and affordable per-round costs, which lets new shooters focus on fundamentals like sight alignment, trigger control, and breathing. The cartridge also functions in a wide range of rifles and handguns suited to learners.

3. Can rimfire ammunition be reloaded?

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Standard rimfire cartridges cannot be reloaded because the priming compound is built into the rim of the case during manufacturing. Once fired, the case is considered single-use and is typically recycled rather than reloaded.

4. What is the effective range of .22 LR for small game?

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.22 LR is generally considered effective on squirrels, rabbits, and similar small game out to about 50 to 75 yards with high velocity loads. Beyond that distance, bullet drop and reduced energy make precise shot placement increasingly difficult.

5. How does .22 WMR differ from .22 LR?

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.22 WMR (.22 Magnum) uses a longer case, higher pressures, and jacketed bullets that deliver significantly more velocity and energy than .22 LR. The two cartridges are not interchangeable, and firearms are chambered specifically for one or the other.

6. Why do some .22 LR rifles prefer certain brands of ammunition?

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Rimfire chambers and bores have small dimensional variations, and bullet seating depth, lubricant, and lot consistency all affect accuracy. Many shooters test several brands and weights to find the load that produces the tightest groups in their specific rifle.

7. Is .17 HMR considered a rimfire cartridge?

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Yes, .17 HMR (.17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire) uses rimfire ignition with a necked-down .22 WMR case and a .17 caliber projectile. It delivers very high velocity and a flat trajectory, making it popular for varmint hunting at extended rimfire ranges.

8. How should I store rimfire ammunition long-term?

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Store rimfire cartridges in their original packaging or sealed containers in a cool, dry location with stable temperatures and low humidity. Properly stored modern rimfire ammunition can remain reliable for many years.