If you’re just getting into firearms or looking to upgrade your ammo knowledge, you’ve likely heard the terms centerfire and rimfire ammunition. in this blog post we will compare Centerfire vs Rimfire. While both types of cartridges may look similar from the outside, the way they’re built, their performance, and their applications are quite different.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about centerfire vs rimfire ammo, including how they work, their pros and cons, and which is better for beginners, hunting, and self-defense.
What Is Rimfire Ammunition?
Rimfire ammunition gets its name from the primer compound that’s spun into the rim of the cartridge base. When the firing pin strikes the rim, the primer ignites and fires the round.
- Construction: The thin brass casing is lightweight and inexpensive to produce.
- Common calibers: The most famous is the .22 LR (Long Rifle), widely used for plinking, target practice, and small-game hunting.
- Cost: Rimfire cartridges are very affordable, often costing just a fraction of what centerfire rounds do.
Advantages of Rimfire Ammo
- Low cost: Great for high-volume shooting and practice.
- Low recoil: Perfect for beginners, youth shooters, or anyone looking to improve accuracy without flinching.
- Wide availability: .22 LR can be found almost anywhere ammo is sold.
Disadvantages of Rimfire Ammo
- Limited power: Not ideal for self-defense or hunting medium-to-large game.
- Less reliable: Rimfire cartridges are more prone to misfires than centerfire.
- Limited caliber selection: Primarily small calibers like .22 LR or .17 HMR.
What Is Centerfire Ammunition?
Unlike rimfire, centerfire ammo contains a removable primer cap located in the center of the cartridge base. The firing pin strikes this primer, igniting the propellant inside.
- Construction: Thicker brass casing, designed for higher pressures.
- Common calibers: Includes everything from 9mm, .45 ACP, .223 Remington, .308 Winchester to hunting rounds like .30-06.
- Reloadable: Since the primer can be replaced, centerfire brass can be reused by reloaders.
Advantages of Centerfire Ammo
- More reliable ignition: Better primer system, fewer misfires.
- Greater power: Capable of handling high-pressure loads for self-defense, hunting, and long-range shooting.
- Wide range of calibers: Pistols, rifles, shotguns — centerfire covers them all.
- Reloadable brass: Cost savings for advanced shooters who handload ammo.
Disadvantages of Centerfire Ammo
- More expensive: Costs several times more than rimfire ammo.
- Stronger recoil: Not always beginner-friendly.
- Heavier: Larger calibers can be harder to carry in bulk
Centerfire vs Rimfire: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Rimfire Ammo | Centerfire Ammo |
|---|---|---|
| Primer Location | Inside cartridge rim | Detachable primer in center |
| Cost | Cheap, great for practice | More expensive, especially larger calibers |
| Reliability | Prone to misfires | Very reliable |
| Power | Low-powered, mostly .22 LR | High-powered, wide range of calibers |
| Recoil | Very low | Can be moderate to heavy |
| Reloadable | No | Yes |
| Best Use | Target practice, small game hunting | Self-defense, big-game hunting, military, law enforcement |
Which Is Better for Beginners?
For new shooters, rimfire ammo is the clear winner. Its low recoil and affordable price make it perfect for learning fundamentals without intimidation. A .22 LR rifle or pistol is often the first firearm recommended for youth or entry-level shooters
Which Is Better for Hunting?
- Rimfire: Great for small game like squirrels, rabbits, and varmints.
- Centerfire: Essential for medium to large game such as deer, elk, and boar. The extra power ensures humane kills and better penetration.
Which Is Better for Self-Defense?
When it comes to personal protection, centerfire ammunition is the gold standard. Handgun calibers like 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP offer the reliability and stopping power that rimfire simply cannot provide.
Which Is More Affordable?
If your goal is just practice and fun at the range, rimfire ammo wins hands down. You can shoot hundreds of .22 LR rounds for the cost of a single box of centerfire cartridges. That’s why many gun owners keep both — rimfire for cheap practice, centerfire for serious purposes.
Final Verdict: Centerfire vs Rimfire
Both ammo types serve their purpose.
- Rimfire: Best for beginners, plinking, and small-game hunting.
- Centerfire: Best for self-defense, big-game hunting, and tactical use.
Ultimately, most shooters use both types of ammunition, depending on the situation. Understanding the centerfire vs rimfire debate helps you make smarter choices when it comes to firearms, ammo, and training.
