Small cartridges: description, characteristics, dimensions and photos

TOZ-17 is the most popular model of the line of small-caliber carbines for hunting, which were developed in 1956 by the Tula Arms Plant. This weapon was intended for professional and amateur hunting, since recreational shooting in the USSR was limited to the use of air guns.

Thanks to the use of small-caliber cartridges, the carbine was widely used among professional hunters who hunted fur-bearing animals.

Why do you need a small caliber?

Small caliber weapons are a good example of the fact that the main factor in shooting accuracy is not the weapon, but the type of ammunition. The development of the .22 LR cartridge led to a significant reduction in the cost of the shot, and the structural feature of the side-ignition cartridge case allowed engineers to create more than 10 types of cartridges, for which special guns were subsequently created.

Types of 5.6 mm cartridges

With all their variety, the most popular small-caliber side-fire cartridges are .22 LR and .22 WMR. The first type was invented and first released more than a century ago. During this time, he gained worldwide popularity, becoming the record holder for the number of shots fired. Its full name can be represented as follows: a 22-caliber cartridge, with a bullet diameter of 5.6 mm, L - long, R - rifle, as it has a rim on the bottom of the cartridge case.

Since “small” cartridges have a fairly low energy generated after a shot, and the trajectory of the bullet changes greatly, they are used for shooting at a short distance from the target. Mostly professional hunters use them to shoot small animals (rodents and birds).

In Russia, sables and squirrels are hunted using small cartridges; in the United States, ground squirrels are shot with them.

A lot of different types of weapons are produced for the .22 LR caliber - carbines, pistols, and even machine guns.

The second popular small cartridge - .22 LR (full name .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire) - is produced for civilian use. This caliber was especially loved in the USA. This cartridge was invented in 1959 for hunting larger animals, such as coyotes or jackals. The use of such a cartridge for smaller animals does not make sense, since the ammunition severely damages the body of the victim.

Also, both types of “small guns” are actively used when teaching shooting to beginners, since ammunition of this type is low in cost.

Hunting rules

If there has been no precipitation for about a week, then you can simply wipe the small pieces with an oily cloth. When water gets on the gun, you need to immediately wipe and lubricate it, not forgetting about the bolt. During the winter hunting period, the gun is usually rarely brought into the heat.

Hunting with such a gun is mainly carried out when trapping fur-bearing animals, so you definitely won’t miss them. When hunting birds, you should use a scope with 4x magnification. This approach will ensure accurate visibility of birds in the evening and early twilight.

The shot is fired only at the base of the neck, since if you shoot in the chest, the bird will fly away and die. It is good to hunt birds before winter, since they often fly onto roads and river areas in order to fill their stomachs with small stones.

Permission to fire the .22 LR cartridge

Obtaining permission to shoot small-caliber weapons is no different from obtaining permission to use a rifled barrel. The hunter must collect and provide the following documents to the LRO:

1. Hunting license.
2. Certificate of passing a medical examination.
3. A report drawn up by the local police officer, which contains information about the conditions for storing firearms.

Also, do not forget that only those persons who have five years of experience in handling a smooth-bore gun can obtain a permit for rifled weapons.

Trunk

The TOZ-8 rifle has a cylindrical barrel of great thickness, the length of the rifle barrel is 640 mm. There are four screw grooves inside the barrel. The rifling pitch is 350 mm.

In the front part of the barrel there is a longitudinal groove into which the base of the front sight is installed. There are two longitudinal grooves in the rear part of the barrel; they are used for attaching the sighting block. At the back of the barrel there is also a special stump to which the receiver is attached using a pin.

Advantages and disadvantages of “small things”

Among the main advantages of using small cartridges, the following factors can be noted:

• low recoil;
• a small hole in the body of the victim, which allows preserving the integrity of the skin;
• low noise level during firing;
• possibility of using a muffler;
• low price and availability of ammunition, which allows hunters to hone their shooting skills.

Disadvantages of the 5.6 mm small cartridge:

• low lethal force;
• the ability to hit only close targets.

Availability

You can purchase cartridges of this caliber in almost any gun store, and at a very affordable price. Thanks to this circumstance, it is possible to zero the rifle with the same ammunition that will be used during the hunt. It is also possible to use a .22WMR cartridge. However, it is rarely found in stores, and is only suitable for civilian shooting; such ammunition is practically useless in hunting.

Feature of the 5.6 mm cartridge

The 5.6 mm (.22 LR) caliber cartridge got its name because its bullet diameter is 0.22 inches (5.6 mm). This type of ammunition does not have a primer. For a shot to occur, the firing pin strikes the side of the base of the case, which is why it is called a side-fire cartridge.

The 5.6 mm “small” cartridge has a percussion (also called primer) composition pressed into the rim of the cartridge case. When the shooter presses the trigger guard, the percussion mechanism of the gun crushes the rim and the primer composition ignites. As a result of detonation, the main powder charge ignites.

Thanks to the special design, the rim of the 5.6 mm “small” cartridge is easily crushed by the impact of the striker. The walls of the case must have a thin layer of metal, which limits the maximum pressure created as a result of ignition of the gunpowder. If the charge in the cartridge is too powerful, the cartridge case may rupture during firing.

Characteristics of the .22 LongRifle ammunition

• Caliber - 5.66 mm
• The bullet weight ranges from 1.9 to 2.6 g.
• Bullet weight - 2.72 g.
• The maximum mass of gunpowder is 0.34 g.
• The initial bullet speed is from 325 to 345 m/s.
• The bullet speed at 50 meters from the muzzle is 295 m/s.
• Initial bullet energy - 135 J
• The energy of the bullet after 50 meters of flight is 110 J.

The dimensions of the small cartridge are as follows:

• cartridge length - 25 mm;
• sleeve length - 15.1 mm;
• sleeve diameter in the upper part - 5.75 mm;
• The diameter of the sleeve at the bottom is 7.1 mm.

Disassembly

To clean and lubricate the weapon, it is necessary to periodically carry out partial disassembly.
A complete repair is carried out if necessary to repair the rifle. Disassembly is simple - this is one of the advantages of the carbine.

1. By pressing the latch, the magazine assembly is removed.
2. Holding the plug and pushing it slightly forward, remove the box lock.
3. Retract the bolt and remove the firing pin spring and both return mechanisms.
4. The reloading handle is turned 90 degrees and removed. Then take out the bolt and firing pin. In this form, the weapon is ready for lubrication and cleaning. It is recommended to carry out the procedure every 150 shots. During storage, the carabiner must be lubricated once every 3 months.
5. If complete disassembly is required, then after the above steps you need to unscrew the screws at the bottom and disconnect the stock from the barrel with the box.

Assembly is performed in reverse order.

Sources

• https://znaivse.biz/obrazovanie/melkashka-06-10-2018.html
• https://www.dyplet.com/oruzhiyeoxoty/toz-99.html
• https://www.ohotniki.ru/weapon/smoothbore/article/2018/10/05/652308-poluavtomat-mts-2112-rodom-iz-sssr.html
• https://WarWays.ru/ognestrelnoe-oruzhie/vintovki-ruzhya-karabiny/toz-99.html
• https://podpricelom.com/ognesrelnoe-oruzhie/nareznoe/toz-99.html

History of the .22 LR

The 0.22-inch small-bore cartridge was invented in the late 19th century by Stevens Arm & Tool Comp. It was equipped with a 40 grain (2.6 gram) bullet. The total weight of black powder was 0.324 grams. It was not possible to measure the speed of a bullet at that time.

The modern model of ammunition from the Stevens Arm & Tool Comp company has remained virtually unchanged. The sleeve is made of metal, the total length of the cartridge is 25.5 mm. The main difference between the modern cartridge and the 1887 model is only that now the lead bullet is wrapped in a special casing to improve the ballistic characteristics of the ammunition.

Unlike the first developments, the modern bullet used by hunters has a mass of 2.6 grams. When firing from a weapon with a barrel length of 152 mm, the maximum bullet speed after a shot reaches 345 m/s, and the muzzle energy is 140 J. When firing from a rifle with a longer barrel, the bullet speed increases on average by 60 m/s.

In the modern world, 4 rimfire cartridges are produced:

1. The most powerful ammunition of them is called Hyper-velocity. When fired, the bullet reaches an ultra-high speed of 425 m/s.
2. The second most powerful cartridge is High-velocity. Maximum speed - 400 m/s.
3. Side-ignition ammunition with a standard bullet speed (about 343 m/s) is called Standard-velocity.
4. A small-caliber cartridge with a subsonic bullet speed (335 m/s) is called Subsonic.

The velocity of a bullet is influenced by many factors, such as the manufacturer of the ammunition, as well as the length of the barrel.

Domestic 5.6 mm cartridges

Since the .22 LR cartridge is widely used in sports shooting and hunting, domestic cartridge factories have also taken up its production. Russian-made small-caliber rifle cartridges go by different names:

• "Pace".
• "Marmot".
• "Extra".
• "Sable".
• "Junior".
• "Olympus".

Also, for those who like to shoot at the shooting range, they produce 4.5 mm small-sized cartridges made of lead. Their design does not provide for a powder charge, so they do not need a cartridge case. When fired, the 4.5 mm "small" cartridges are activated by the powerful impact of the firing pin on the rear of the ammunition.

Sports small-caliber cartridges

The general rules of international competitions require that athletes have equal conditions. Weapons and ammunition must comply with accepted standards. The use of the .22 LR cartridge in sports is explained by its low noise, low power, good penetration at short distances, low recoil, high accuracy and reliability. In addition, it is considered one of the cheapest powder cartridges.

When shooting at a distance of 25 meters from the target, the aiming point should be raised by 2 cm. At a distance of 75 meters, the bullet drops from the aiming point by 7 cm. At a distance of 100 meters, the bullet deviates from the target by 25 cm. The smallest diameter (9 mm at a distance 50 meters) dispersion is achieved by domestic Olimp-R cartridges.

The cartridges used by athletes in competitions have a solid metal bullet made of lead (photos of the “small thing” cartridge confirm this). The mass of such ammunition is about 2.55 grams. The initial speed, measured from the muzzle of the barrel, is 330 m/s. At this speed, lead bullets are stabilized by the rifling in the barrel. The best accuracy result can be achieved by shooting indoors at constant room temperature and normal air humidity.

Aim

The sights of the TOZ-8 rifle consist of a front sight and an open sector sight.

The front sight is cylindrical and has a long base. The TOZ-8M modification rifle has a round muzzle guard.

The sector sight consists of an aiming block, an aiming bar, a clamp and a spring.

• The sighting block is used to attach the sighting bar, pin and spring.
• The sighting bar has ten notches, designed for firing distances from 25 to 250 meters. The aiming bar has a mane with a slot through which aiming is carried out. The side edges of the sighting bar have cutouts for attaching a clamp.
• The clamp serves to fix the aiming bar in a certain position. When the clamp moves along the aiming bar, the angle of the aiming line changes depending on the distance to the target.
• The sighting bar spring secures the bar from movement.
• The TOZ-8 rifle can be equipped with an optical sight. The optical sight is mounted on the left side of the receiver on a special adapter strip. When using an optical sight, the rifle provides increased combat accuracy.

Sports and hunting cartridges

Small-caliber sporting and hunting ammunition has similar characteristics (cartridge weight, velocity, muzzle energy) to cartridges for sporting competitions, but the former are inferior in quality, since the manufacturer reduces the cost of its products to increase demand. For a shooter who is just learning to shoot from a rifled firearm, it is important that the cartridges are of relatively high quality, but most importantly, cheap. To learn how to shoot accurately and aim quickly, you need to hone your skills and abilities for several months.

There are two types of bullets available for hunters:

1. All metal.
2. With a hole in the head.

TOZ brand shotguns

Today, Russian hunters have access to a large selection of small-caliber rifles. The most popular brand among professional shooters is the TOZ family of rifles.

The first rifle, called TOZ-8, was developed by a Soviet designer from the city of Tula, D. M. Kochetov, in 1932. This weapon is famous for its simplicity of design, reliability and reliability. It was widely used for training novice shooters. Its main purpose is hunting small animals. Thanks to its accuracy, the TOZ-8 weapon is loved by professional athletes and hunters.

Modern TOZ weapons chambered for the small-sized cartridge have many modifications:

• TOZ-16 is a modern rifle. It occupies a leading position in terms of sales in Russia.
• TOZ-17 is a modern modification of the already outdated TOZ-8 model.
• Carbine "Sable". The firearm sample was created on the basis of the Biathlon rifle. It is equipped with two types of magazines with a capacity of 5 and 10 rounds. You can also install an optical sight on it.
• TOZ-78 is a fairly accurate and silent weapon.
• TOZ-78-04M is a modified model of the TOZ-78 rifle.
• TOZ-78-01M is another modification of the TOZ-78 brand weapon. The main difference is the ability to install additional equipment for accurate and silent shooting.

Receiver

The receiver of the TOZ-8 rifle looks like a simple pipe, which looks like an extension of the barrel. Inside the receiver there is a bolt, the receiver also serves as the basis for the firing mechanism. A wooden stock is attached to the bottom of the receiver.

On the right side of the receiver there is a shaped cutout along which the bolt handle guide moves.

On the right side of the receiver, in front of the figured cutout, there is a window that is needed for inserting a cartridge and ejecting spent cartridges. Two holes were drilled next to it, designed to remove escaped powder gases.

At the rear of the receiver there is a special removable cap that performs three important functions:

• The cap closes the receiver channel and thereby protects it from contamination
• The installed cap eliminates the possibility of the shutter falling out
• The cap protects the shooter's eye in the event of a breakthrough of powder gases into the receiver channel.

At the bottom of the receiver there is a pyramidal stop designed to secure the barrel and receiver with a wooden stock.

Inside the receiver there is a liner that is secured with a screw. The insert guides the cartridge into the rifle's chamber when loading, deflects the spent cartridge case when ejecting, and guides the bolt when moving forward.

Using small things for training

Practical or dynamic shooting was first invented in the 50s of the last century by Californian shooters. The first athletes were former military personnel with combat experience in hot spots. Thanks to the experience gained during the war, the competition rules were constantly improved.

For sport shooting, the .22 LR cartridge was used. Shotguns were used both single-shot and multi-shot. In some disciplines it was possible to carry out various modifications to the gun, in others the athlete had to use the factory version of the weapon.

Thanks to the low energy of the bullet after the shot, you can train and hold competitions in regular shooting ranges. To shoot from such a small caliber, you do not need to rent shooting ranges remote from populated areas or specialized mines with bullet catchers.

Legislative side of the issue

If you are interested in the question of whether it is possible to hunt with small animals in Russia, then we hasten to please you: in most regions it is allowed to freely shoot birds and small animals with a license. However, in the spring season, the use of such weapons is strictly prohibited. This is due to the fact that approach hunting is prohibited in the spring. Those who love excitement should give preference to smooth-bore carbines or classic shotguns. Hunters with small fish will have to wait until summer.