Rimfire · Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.30 Short Rimfire
Short rimfire cartridge used in early American derringers and pocket pistols during the Civil War era; preceded the metallic cartridge revolver era..
- Caliber
- 0.2858″ · 7.26 mm
- Introduced
- 1860
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Target, Small game
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1860
- Type
- Rimfire
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Various / American commercial
- Manufacturer
- Various / American commercial
- Standard
- Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 5.3 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18
- Primer
- Rimfire
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 14,500 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 2150 yd
- Recoil
- 0.13–0.98 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .30 Short Rimfire, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.26 | 0.286 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.26 | 0.286 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 7.26 | 0.286 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 8.64 | 0.340 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.01 | 0.040 | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 13.08 | 0.515 | · |
| Overall length | 20.88 | 0.822 | · |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .30 Short Rimfire is highlighted below.
Connected reference
History
One of several .30 caliber rimfire cartridges produced during the 1860s transition to metallic cartridge handguns. The .30 Short Rimfire was chambered in small single-shot pocket pistols and derringers. It is distinguished from the .30 Long Rimfire by case length and is now a purely historical cartridge.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .30 Short Rimfire use?
- .30 Short Rimfire typically uses a 1:18 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .30 Short Rimfire?
- .30 Short Rimfire uses a 0.2858″ (7.26 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .30 Short Rimfire still in production?
- .30 Short Rimfire is discontinued; typical availability is rare.
- What is .30 Short Rimfire used for?
- .30 Short Rimfire is primarily used for target, small game.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
