Lead-free .22 LR rimfire cartridges from RWS for hunting and sport - High Velocity Green and HV Green Fragmentation

New for 2020: RWS is expanding its Field Line with two additional loads. Both a new solid bullet and a fragmentation bullet will be available – depending on the intended use. In the development of these rimfire cartridges, lead elimination was a top priority. We take a first look at the new additions.

A contribution from all4hunters.com02.05.2020

The lead-free High Velocity Green Fragmentation cartridges from the RWS Field Line provide fast muzzle velocity and are effective, for example on vermin. The High Velocity Green rimfire cartridge is also suitable for shooting purposes such as plinking.

The new RWS rimfire cartridges were specifically designed to hunt game in areas where lead is not allowed or where users would like to do without it. The new High Velocity Green and High Velocity Green Fragmentation rely on a zinc bullet which has been given a copper plating. Especially with rimfire ammunition, dispensing with lead is a very hard technical and ballistic challenge for the manufacturer.

Due to the lower density of the basic material, the result is a light bullet weight of 1.6 g – or 24.7 grains. Muzzle velocities are correspondingly fast. The manufacturer claims an impressive 520 m/s, which should yield around 210 joules. This should also result in a very flat flight path.

The RWS High Velocity Green is intended for hunting, but also for plinking. As the name suggests, this bullet is intended to achieve a target ballistic effect in the game body. For this purpose, the zinc bullet features longitudinal pre-fragmentation notches. When ballistic gel was shot at, it was found that four petals separated, while the rest of the bullet penetrated relatively far.

The lead-free primer also keeps the ambient air free of lead and lead compounds.

RWS High Velocity Green + High Velocity Green Fragmentation: main features of the new lead-free rimfire cartridges

The High Velocity Green rimfire ammunition from RWS comes in packs of 50.

RWS Field Line - High Velocity Green:

100 % green, lead-free primer and bullet
Considerable penetration with up to 58 % higher velocity
Solid zinc, copper plated bullet for hunting and plinking
Nickel-plated case for better gun cycling
Suitable for bolt action rifles, single-shot rifles and semi-automatic rifles

RWS Field Line – High Velocity Green Fragmentation:

The four notches at the tip of the zinc bullet give the High Velocity Green Fragmentation ammo a high knockdown power.

100 % green, lead-free primer and bullet
Considerable penetration with up to 58 % higher velocity
Fragmenting zinc bullet with the highest stopping power
Copper-plated zinc fragmentation bullet for hunting
Nickel-plated case for better gun cycling
Suitable for bolt action rifles and single-shot rifles

High Velocity Green Fragmentation shot test on ballistic gel block

The "four petals", the pre-fragmented zinc bullet parts of the RWS High Velocity Green, open immediately upon entry into the ballistic gel block, while the bullet residue penetrates as far as expected.

RWS Field Line - High Velocity Green: technical specs

Caliber	Bullet	Bullet weight (g/gr)	V0 (m/sec)	E0 (J)	Contents per pack (pcs.)
.22 LR	Zinc-Copper	1.6 / 24.7	520	210	50
.22 LR	Zinc-Copper HP Fragmentation	1.6 / 24.7	520	210	50

The two new RWS loads are already available from specialist dealers.

Further information on RWS ammunition can be found at www.rws-ammunition.com.

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