What if this is being introduced with electronic primer ignition? It would shorten lock times to assist in long range rimfire shooting, and perhaps improve cycle rate for steel challenge. The different case and bullet size might be a way to make it more proprietary to Olin and whoever they could license the concept to.
I think Remington screwd the pooch when they introduced the Etronix in centerfire rather than rimfire. Logistically, CF required Remington to introduce several calibers and bullet choices, and at the same time add primers...What dealers are going to tie up $$ and shelf space .22-250 for ammo and primers that only work in one model of rifle? On top of that the benefit of shorter lock time in a centerfire varmint rifle didn't really extend the shooter's range as much as ballistic reticle scopes and rangefinders did.
But shooting rimfire offhand (whether hunting or target shooting), the shorter lock time, and the electric firing versus a mechanical firing pin strike might make a difference at rimfire distances. Just a thought.
I think Olin learned a painful lesson about proprietary cartridges with the WSMs. I also have doubts that whoever makes the rules for LR rimfire is going to embrace a new setup that puts the current shooters at a disadvantage. My best guess is something Green for the Kalifornia market and others that may join in with that, but even that seems odd with non-toxic ammo already available.
Based on my experience with their RF stuff, the well-know (and continuing) primer problems, and complaints from a couple of the guys I shoot clays with, they’d perhaps be better off investing in QC, than vaporware.
