Abstract: A method of manufacturing an improved lead-free primed rimfire cartridge for ammunition or industrial powerloads providing a gas source for driving fasteners with power-fastening tools. A lead-free priming mixture is consolidated into an annular cavity of a rimfire casing and dried in the cavity. The primer is secured in the cavity by tamping at least a portion of propellant into the casing against and over the dried primer. The tamping pressure per casing may range from 1,300 psi to 8,800 psi. Any remaining portion of required propellent is added over the tamped compacted propellant layer. The ammunition and powerload casings are then sealed and finished in a conventional manner. A rimfire cartridge for both ammunition and industrial powerload applications manufactured as described above is also provided.

Abstract: Primer composition comprising diazodinitrophenol or potassium dinitrobenzofuroxane, tetracene, nitrate ester fuel and strontium nitrate. It is prepared by hydrating anhydrous strontium nitrate by dissolving in warm water and thereafter cooling solution to obtain crystals of the tetrahydrate. These crystals are mixed with other components to form the primer composition.