Rifleman Q & A: What About the 5 mm Remington Rimfire Magnum?

by
posted on July 14, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
perfaps.jpg

Q: Why didn’t the 5 mm Remington Rimfire Magnum catch on like the .17 HMR has in recent years? Does anyone still chamber this cartridge, and is it even available in a factory load today?

A: The answer as to why the 5 mm did not survive in the market is somewhat subjective, and a number of knowledgeable people disagree on the details. Most would agree that the 5 mm RRM was a good idea; it was essentially Remington’s effort to provide a more effective option to the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire. Unfortunately, the 5 mm was offered only with a hollow-point bullet and was quite destructive on edible game. A non-expanding bullet might have altered the perception.

At the time of its production, Remington was the only source for rifles and ammunition, although Thompson/Center did offer Contender barrels for a while. The only current ammunition maker is Aguila, but the production is limited. According to the company, “Aguila still manufactures this very popular 5 mm ammunition.” It appears that distribution has been delayed due to rimfire demand, so patience is the only option.

—John W. Treakle

Latest

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.