Rimfire vs Centerfire: Difference and Comparison

Rimfire cartridges have priming compound distributed around the rim, while centerfire cartridges have a centrally located primer. Rimfire is less powerful and cheaper, while centerfire offers greater reliability, power, and versatility for a wide range of firearms and applications.

Key Takeaways

1. Rimfire cartridges ignite the primer by striking the rim of the cartridge base, while centerfire cartridges have a separate primer in the center of the cartridge base.
2. Rimfire ammunition is less expensive and used for small-caliber firearms, while centerfire ammunition is more powerful and available in a wide range of calibers.
3. Centerfire cartridges can be reloaded after use by replacing the primer, powder, and projectile, while rimfire cartridges are not reloadable due to their design.

Rimfire vs Centerfire

Rimfire cartridges are a type of firearm ammunition that ignites when the firing pin of a gun strikes the rim of the cartridge base. Centerfire ammunition has a centrally located primer that ignites when struck by the firing pin, offering more power and reliability.

However, the above is not the only difference. A comparison between both the terms on specific parameters can shed light on subtle aspects:

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Comparison Table

Feature	Rimfire	Centerfire
Primer Location	Inside rim of cartridge case	Center of base of cartridge case
Cartridge Case Thickness	Thinner	Thicker
Pressure	Lower (under 30,000 psi)	Higher (can exceed 70,000 psi)
Caliber Availability	Limited (mainly .22 and .17 sizes)	Wide range (from .17 to .50 BMG and larger)
Power	Lower	Higher
Range	Shorter	Longer
Recoil	Lower	Higher
Noise	Quieter	Louder
Cost	Generally cheaper per round	Can be more expensive per round
Uses	Small game hunting, plinking, target shooting	Large game hunting, self-defense, long-range shooting
Examples	.22 LR, .17 HMR, .22 WMR	9mm, .308 Win, .50 BMG

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What is Rimfire?

Rimfire ammunition is a type of cartridge commonly used in firearms, characterized by its method of ignition and construction. In this section, we’ll delve into the specifics of rimfire ammunition, its components, history, advantages, and limitations.

Construction and Components

Rimfire cartridges are distinctive due to the location of their primer, which is distributed within the rim of the cartridge base. This design eliminates the need for a separate primer pocket in the center of the cartridge base, unlike centerfire cartridges.

The key components of a rimfire cartridge include:

1. Case: Typically made of brass, the case holds the other components together. In rimfire cartridges, the case features a thin rim around its base, which contains the priming compound.
2. Primer: Unlike centerfire cartridges, where the primer is located in a separate pocket in the center of the cartridge base, the primer compound in rimfire cartridges is distributed within the rim itself.
3. Powder: Found within the case, the powder charge ignites upon primer strike, propelling the projectile down the barrel.
4. Projectile: This is the bullet or shot that is propelled out of the firearm when the cartridge is fired. It can vary in composition and shape depending on the intended use of the cartridge.

History and Development

The rimfire design dates back to the mid-19th century, with its invention attributed to Frenchman Louis-Nicolas Flobert in 1845. Flobert developed the first rimfire metallic cartridge, which used a simple percussion cap containing the priming compound.

The design gained popularity due to its simplicity and affordability, leading to its widespread adoption in various firearms, including small-caliber rifles, handguns, and even early repeaters.

Advantages

1. Cost-Effective: Rimfire cartridges are less expensive to manufacture than centerfire cartridges, making them accessible to a wide range of shooters, especially those engaging in recreational shooting or training.
2. Suitable for Small-Caliber Firearms: Rimfire cartridges are commonly associated with smaller caliber firearms, such as .22 LR (Long Rifle), which are popular for plinking, target shooting, and small game hunting.
3. Simple Design: The absence of a primer pocket simplifies the manufacturing process and allows for the creation of compact cartridges suitable for small firearms.

Limitations

1. Limited Power: Rimfire cartridges are primarily associated with lower power levels compared to centerfire cartridges, limiting their effectiveness for certain applications such as self-defense or hunting larger game.
2. Reliability Concerns: The rimfire ignition system, with the priming compound distributed around the rim, can be more prone to misfires or duds compared to centerfire cartridges, which may affect reliability, especially in adverse conditions or with older ammunition.
3. Limited Variety: While rimfire cartridges are available in various calibers, the diversity of options is not as extensive as centerfire cartridges, limiting the versatility for specialized applications.

 

What is Centerfire?

Centerfire ammunition represents one of the most widely used types of cartridges in modern firearms. In this section, we’ll explore the intricacies of centerfire ammunition, including its construction, historical background, advantages, and limitations.

Construction and Components

Centerfire cartridges are distinguished by the placement of the primer, which is centrally located in a pocket at the base of the cartridge. This design allows for more reliable ignition and facilitates the use of higher-pressure loads compared to rimfire cartridges.

Key components of a centerfire cartridge include:

1. Case: Typically made of brass, steel, or other metals, the case serves as the primary container for the other components of the cartridge. It features a centrally located primer pocket at the base.
2. Primer: Positioned in the primer pocket of the cartridge base, the primer contains a priming compound that, when struck by the firearm’s firing pin, ignites to ignite the main powder charge.
3. Powder: Enclosed within the case, the powder charge burns rapidly upon primer ignition, generating the gas pressure needed to propel the projectile down the barrel.
4. Projectile: This is the bullet or shot that is propelled out of the firearm when the cartridge is fired. Projectiles vary widely in composition, shape, and weight, depending on the intended use of the cartridge.

History and Development

The development of centerfire ammunition traces back to the mid-19th century, with innovations by various inventors seeking to improve upon the limitations of earlier ignition systems, such as rimfire and percussion caps.

The introduction of centerfire cartridges marked a significant advancement in firearms technology, enabling greater reliability, higher velocities, and increased versatility in firearm design. This innovation revolutionized military arms, hunting rifles, and civilian handguns, laying the foundation for modern firearms.

Advantages

1. Reliability: The centralized primer ignition system of centerfire cartridges offers enhanced reliability compared to rimfire cartridges, as the primer is less susceptible to misfires and duds.
2. Versatility: Centerfire cartridges are available in a wide range of calibers, configurations, and loadings, making them suitable for diverse applications, including hunting, self-defense, target shooting, and military use.
3. Higher Power: Centerfire cartridges are capable of generating higher pressures and velocities compared to rimfire cartridges, making them more suitable for hunting larger game and self-defense scenarios.

Limitations

1. Cost: Centerfire ammunition tends to be more expensive to manufacture than rimfire ammunition, primarily due to the additional complexity of the primer system.
2. Complexity: The construction of centerfire cartridges involves more components and intricate assembly processes compared to rimfire cartridges, which can lead to higher manufacturing costs and potentially greater susceptibility to manufacturing defects.
3. Less Common in Small Calibers: While centerfire cartridges are available in a wide range of calibers, they are less common in smaller sizes compared to rimfire cartridges, limiting their suitability for certain applications such as inexpensive plinking or small game hunting.

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Main Differences Between Rimfire and Centerfire

• Primer Location:
  • Rimfire: Primer compound is distributed within the rim of the cartridge case.
  • Centerfire: Primer is centrally located in a pocket at the base of the cartridge case.
• Reliability:
  • Rimfire: Generally less reliable due to the rimfire ignition system, which can be more prone to misfires or duds.
  • Centerfire: Offers enhanced reliability as the primer is centrally located and less susceptible to misfires.
• Power and Versatility:
  • Rimfire: Typically associated with lower power levels and limited versatility, commonly used in smaller caliber firearms.
  • Centerfire: Capable of generating higher pressures and velocities, suitable for a wide range of firearms and applications including hunting, self-defense, and target shooting.
• Cost and Availability:
  • Rimfire: Generally less expensive to manufacture, making it more accessible and affordable for recreational shooting and training.
  • Centerfire: Often more expensive due to the additional complexity of the primer system, available in a wider range of calibers and configurations.
• Manufacturing Complexity:
  • Rimfire: Simple design with fewer components, primarily used in smaller caliber cartridges.
  • Centerfire: More complex construction with additional components, commonly used in a diverse range of calibers and loadings.
• Historical Significance:
  • Rimfire: Invented in the mid-19th century, initially for small-caliber firearms and plinking.
  • Centerfire: Developed around the same time period, marked a significant advancement in firearms technology, enabling higher reliability and power.

References

1. https://science.peregrinefund.org/legacy-sites/conference-lead/PDF/0305%20Oltrogge.pdf
2. https://journals.lww.com/amjforensicmedicine/Fulltext/1998/12000/Centerfire_Frangible_Ammunition__Wounding.1.aspx

Last Updated : 10 February, 2024