Rimfire Ammunition Market Report 2026

The rimfire ammunition market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.9 billion in 2025 to $2.04 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing use of rimfire ammunition in recreational shooting and target practice due to low cost and low recoil, increasing adoption of.22 caliber rimfire cartridges for small-game hunting, rising production of conical ball cap and other legacy rimfire formats supporting historical shooting sports, expansion of firearms training programs using rimfire rounds for beginner proficiency, early availability of rimfire ammunition as an affordable alternative to centerfire options.

The rimfire ammunition market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.72 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for high-precision rimfire ammunition for competitive shooting sports, increasing development of cleaner-burning and high-velocity rimfire formulations, growing adoption of rimfire cartridges in youth shooting and safety-training initiatives, expansion of premium rimfire product lines offering improved consistency and reliability, technological advancements in manufacturing enhancing rimfire ignition uniformity and ballistic performance. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for low-cost recreational ammunition, increased adoption of precision-optimized rimfire loads, growing popularity of small-caliber training ammunition, expansion of competitive shooting and target sports, development of specialized subsonic and hunting rimfire rounds.

The growing interest in shooting sports is expected to drive the growth of the rimfire ammunition market going forward. Shooting sports refer to recreational or competitive activities that involve aiming and firing firearms or airguns for accuracy and precision. The rising interest in shooting sports is supported by the expansion of shooting ranges and training facilities, which are making the sport more accessible to the general public. Rimfire ammunition supports shooting sports by providing low-cost, low-recoil rounds suitable for beginners and recreational shooters. It improves training and competitive activities by delivering consistent performance at an affordable price, encouraging broader participation in the sport. For example, in October 2025, according to the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation, a U.S.-based educational-athletic organization, the Foundation’s SASP National Championship hosted more than 2,500 athletes who safely fired over 416,000 rounds during competition, with additional rounds used in side matches, sponsor demonstrations, and practice sessions. Therefore, the increasing interest in shooting sports is contributing to the growth of the rimfire ammunition market.

Leading companies in the rimfire ammunition market are concentrating on developing technologically advanced products such as lead-free projectiles to comply with environmental regulations and meet the increasing demand for non-toxic alternatives. Lead-free projectiles are ammunition designed without any lead components in the bullet, primer, or casing, utilizing alternative materials to reduce toxic exposure and environmental harm. For instance, in September 2024, Winchester Ammunition, a US-based firearms and ammunition manufacturer, launched the 21 Sharp, a rimfire cartridge engineered to deliver enhanced accuracy and on-target performance. This advanced rimfire ammunition provides lead-free accuracy, broad projectile compatibility, and reliable performance, making it ideal for modern shooting and eco-friendly applications. The 21 Sharp cartridge is highly versatile, offering consistent performance across a variety of bullet types, including jacketed options, due to its purpose-built design focused on precision and reliability for both recreational shooting and small game hunting.

In December 2023, Colt CZ Group SE, a firearms manufacturer based in the Czech Republic, acquired Sellier & Bellot for $703 million. This acquisition allows Colt CZ Group to strengthen its position in the small-caliber ammunition segment by incorporating established manufacturing capabilities and product lines, thereby expanding its ammunition offerings. Sellier & Bellot, also based in the Czech Republic, is known for producing reliable and affordable rimfire ammunition for target shooting, training, and hunting.

Major companies operating in the rimfire ammunition market are Hornady Manufacturing Company, Fiocchi Munizioni S.p.A., Browning Arms Company, Lapua, Nosler Inc., True Velocity Inc., Eley Group Ltd., Pobjeda Technology, Freedom Munitions LLC, Czechoslovak Group, DRT Ammo, Aguila Ammunition, Atomic Ammo Holdings Inc, HSM Ammunition, Prvi Partizan, SBR Ammunition, Sellier & Bellot, Winchester Ammunition, Geco Ammunition, RWS Ammunition.

North America was the largest region in the rimfire ammunition market in 2025. The regions covered in the rimfire ammunition market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are influencing the rimfire ammunition market by increasing the cost of imported brass, primers, and chemical compounds required for cartridge production, leading to higher manufacturing expenses and pricing pressures. These impacts are most evident across segments such as.22 LR,.22 WMR, and.17 HMR in regions dependent on cross-border sourcing, including North America and Europe. The added duties have contributed to production delays, constrained supply availability, and elevated retail prices, particularly affecting individual consumers and sports shooting organizations. However, tariffs have also encouraged localized production expansion, strengthened regional supply chains, and stimulated investment in higher-efficiency manufacturing technologies.

The rimfire ammunition market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides rimfire ammunition market statistics, including the rimfire ammunition industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the rimfire ammunition market share, detailed rimfire ammunition market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the rimfire ammunition industry. This rimfire ammunition market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Rimfire ammunition is a type of metallic cartridge used in firearms, characterized by the primer being located inside the hollow rim at the base of the cartridge case. It is commonly used in small-caliber firearms and favored for recreational shooting, target practice, small game hunting, and training because of its affordability and low recoil.

The primary types of rimfire ammunition include.22 Long Rifle (LR),.22 Short,.22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire),.17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire), and subsonic rounds. The.22 Long Rifle (LR) is a popular variant known for its versatility, low recoil, and broad applications in hunting, target shooting, and training. It is extensively used by hunters, competitive shooters, and for recreational purposes, with key users including individual consumers, sports shooting groups, hunting clubs, law enforcement, and military training units.

The countries covered in the rimfire ammunition market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The rimfire ammunition market consists of sales of conical ball cap,.5mm remington rim fire,.22 bulleted breech cap. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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