.22 BB

For the spherical air gun ammunition, see BB (ammunition).

.22 BB Cap (Bulleted Breech Cap) also known as the 6mm Flobert, is a variety of .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. Invented by Louis-Nicolas Flobert in 1845, it was the first rimfire metallic cartridge. The .22 BB Cap and .22 CB Cap are interchangeable and are relatively quiet low velocity cartridges, designed for indoor target shooting.

.22 BB
.22 BB Cap or 6mm Flobert with Container
Type	target
Place of origin	France
Production history
Designer	Louis-Nicolas Flobert
Designed	1845
Specifications
Parent case	tapered percussion cap
Bullet diameter	.222 in (5.6 mm)
Neck diameter	.224 in (5.7 mm)
Base diameter	.224 in (5.7 mm)
Rim diameter	.270 in (6.9 mm)
Rim thickness	.040 in (1.0 mm)
Case length	.284 in (7.2 mm)
Overall length	.343 in (8.7 mm)
Primer type	Rimfire
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy 20 gr (1 g) rn 780 ft/s (240 m/s) 26 ft⋅lbf (35 J) 18 gr (1 g) rn 780 ft/s (240 m/s) 24 ft⋅lbf (33 J) 16 gr (1 g) rn 750 ft/s (230 m/s) 20 ft⋅lbf (27 J)
Source(s): Cartridges of the World^[1]

A .22 CB Cap, .22 short, and .22 Long Rifle; the CB Cap is the same length as the BB Cap, but uses a conical bullet

History

Frenchman Louis-Nicolas Flobert invented the first rimfire metallic cartridge in 1845. His cartridge consisted of a percussion cap with a bullet attached to the top.^[2][3] Flobert then made what he called "parlor guns" for this cartridge, as these rifles and pistols were designed to be shot in indoor shooting parlors in large homes.^[4][5] Usually derived in the 6 mm and 9 mm calibres, it is since then called the Flobert cartridge, but it does not contain any powder; the only propellant substance contained in the cartridge is within the percussion cap.^[6] In Europe, the .22 BB Cap and .22 CB Cap are both called 6mm Flobert and are considered the same cartridge.

Description

These rimfires closely resemble a .22 caliber air rifle in power and are often used for indoor shooting and close range pest control. Developed for indoor shooting galleries with special "gallery guns", the .22 BB Cap was the first rimfire cartridge, dating back to 1845. It has no separate propellant charge, relying on the impulse created by the primer alone to fire a round lead ball. This results in a low muzzle velocity of around 700 ft/s (210 m/s) or less. More common is the .22 CB cap, which fires a slightly heavier conical bullet and is available in a variety of cartridge lengths.

Specifications

• Length:
  • Case: .284 in (7.2 mm)
  • Overall: .343 in (8.7 mm)
• Bullet weight: 18 gr (1.17 g)

See also

• .22 CB
• .22 Short
• .22 Long
• .22 Extra Long
• .22 Long Rifle
• .22 Magnum
• .22 Hornet
• List of rimfire cartridges

References

1. Cartridges of the World 11th Edition, by Frank C. Barnes, edited by Stan Skinner, Gun Digest Books, 2006, ISBN 0-89689-297-2. pp. 490, 492.
2. "History of firearms" 2015-12-22 at the Wayback Machine (fireadvantages.com)
3. "How guns work" 2015-12-22 at the Wayback Machine (fireadvantages.com)
4. Flayderman, Norm (2007). Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values (9 ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. p. 775. ISBN 978-0-89689-455-6.
5. Barnes, Frank C.; Bodinson, Holt (2009). "Amrerican Rimfire Cartridges". Cartridges of the World: A Complete and Illustrated Reference for Over 1500 Cartridges. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 441. ISBN 978-0-89689-936-0. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
6. Shooting section (la section de tir) 2013-11-10 at the Wayback Machine of the official website (in French) of a modern indoor shooting association in Belgium, Les Arquebusier de Visé.