Centerfire vs. Rimfire: Decoding the Differences

Centerfire vs. Rimfire: Decoding the Differences

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to delve into the differences between centerfire and rimfire ammunition today. Ammunition in both forms is easily accessible and is commonly employed by shooters of all types. There are many distinct differences between these two ammunition types and shooters will benefit from a clear understanding of centerfire and rimfire ammo. Without further ado, let us decode the differences of between rimfire centerfire and rimfire cartridges.

What is Centerfire Ammo?

Like the name suggests, centerfire ammunition relies upon a primer located at the rear of the cartridge for ignition. These primers are centered at the rear of the cartridge and are struck directly by firing pins, acting as a primary explosive and propelling the projectile. Cartridges of this type have been around in one form or another since the 19^th century and have evolved over time as technology has advanced. Centerfire cartridges can be found in a variety of pistol and rifle calibers of various sizes. Projectiles can range from .22 diameter to .50 caliber projectiles and can be had in many styles.

What is Rimfire Ammo?

Also aptly named, rimfire ammunition is ignited when the rim of the cartridge is struck. This is due to the primer being imbedded within the rim of the case. Because of this, there is no single point which must be struck with a firing pin to achieve ignition. The cartridge simply needs to be chambered in the firearm and can be impacted at any point on the rim. Like centerfire ammo, rimfire ammunition has also been around since the 19^th century. While rimfire ammo in today’s context generally connotes a smallbore cartridge, earlier rimfire cartridges featured large projectiles such as .44 Henry and .56-56 Spencer. Purchase Ammo

Common Centerfire Calibers

• 9mm
• .45 ACP
• 5.56/.223
• .308/7.62x51mm
• 7.62x39

Common Rimfire Calibers

• .22 Short
• .22 Long
• .22 Long Rifle
• .22 Magnum
• .17 HMR

What is More Reliable?

Due to the centrally located primers found on centerfire cartridges, loadings of this type tend to be more reliable than their rimfire counterparts. This is due to the designs of firing pins found in centerfire firearms in addition to the centralized primers found in loadings. When punched, these primers ignite the gunpowder within the cartridge. Rimfire cartridges do not feature a centralized primer and are more prone to misfires as their priming compound is located within the rim of cartridges. Centerfire cartridges are simply more consistently ignited than rimfire cartridges which are impacted anywhere on the rim to fire.

Reloading Considerations

When it comes to reloading, centerfire ammunition is easier to reload than rimfire ammunition is. This is due to the presence of a removable primer located at the base of each cartridge. One must simply ensure that they use the correct type of primer when reloading. Centerfire cartridges use either Boxer or Berdan primers, with Boxer primers being the most common. Boxer primers follow consistent sizing conventions while Berdan primers do not.

Recoil Considerations

Due to their small nature, rimfire cartridges exhibit less recoil than their centerfire counterparts. This is even the case when similarly sized projectiles and loadings are compared. For example, the mild recoiling 5.7x28mm cartridge notably produces more recoil and a louder report than the .22 Magnum does. While some centerfire cartridges can produce mild recoil, they are nothing compared to the recoil of something like the .22 LR. This is why rimfire firearms chambered in .22 LR tend to be some of the first firearms acquired or shot by new shooters.

What is Cheaper?

Generally speaking, rimfire ammunition can be found cheaper than centerfire loadings can. Of course, some exceptions can exist when considering specialized loadings, sales, and specific calibers. On one hand, shooters will generally find .22 LR ammo cheaper than 9mm ammo. Conversely, some specialized .17 HMR loadings can be more expensive than 9mm offerings. Specific calibers matter more than type of ammo at the end of the day, but generally rimfire loadings are cheaper than their centerfire counterparts. Purchase Ammo

What is More Available?

In terms of availability, there are far more centerfire cartridges on the market than there are rimfire cartridges. Of course, it makes more sense to compare individual calibers rather than classes of ammo. One will find loadings for .22 LR easier than they will find loadings for many big bore centerfire cartridges. This is to say that .22 LR ammo is more plentiful than loadings for .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua, and .45-70 Govt for example. That being said, one will generally find a wider variety of centerfire loadings in various rifle and pistol calibers than they will find rimfire ammo. This is to say that while one may find a lot of .22 LR ammo, they will also encounter loadings for 9mm, .45 ACP, .223, 7.62x39, and .308 Win to name a few. In short, centerfire and rimfire ammo can be found at most places where ammo is sold. While there are more centerfire loadings on the market, one must ultimately consider availability of specific calibers at the end of the day.

What is Best for Self-Defense?

In short, centerfire ammunition is better for self-defense than rimfire ammo is. This is due to the increased potency of these loadings in addition to their better reliability. When seconds count, one does not want to be clearing malfunctions in the face of an impending threat. That being said, rimfire calibers such as .22 LR can be used in defensive applications and prove to be potent with proper shot placement. Shooters can find defensive loadings for either type of ammunition, making it easy to find optimal ammo for this use case. All in all, what matters most is for one to find a loading and caliber that they can employ the best.

Conclusion

All in all, we hope this blog has effectively provided information on what centerfire and rimfire cartridges are. One will encounter multiple examples of both cartridge types wherever they go in their shooting journey so it does help to know the difference. We here at True Shot offer rimfire and centerfire cartridges of many types. Our wide range of ammo for sale includes popular calibers and gauges such as 9mm, .223, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Pistol ammunition, rifle ammunition, and shotgun ammunition are our business and would love to help you get stocked up for your next outing. As always, happy shooting.