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The difference between rimfire and centerfire rifles would be the type of cartridge they use.

Rimfire cartridges are an older design. In a rimfire cartridge, the priming compound (impact-sensitive substance that produces the spark to ignite the gunpowder) is located inside the hollow rim of the cartridge case. The firing pin crushes the rim against the chamber mouth to fire the cartridge.

In a centerfire cartridge, the priming compound is located inside a small metal cup called a primer, which is made separate from the casing. The cup is inserted into a hole in the center of the base of the cartridge. The firing pin strikes the primer crushing it against an internal anvil to produce the spark.

Rimfire cases are made of soft brass so that the firing pin can crush the rim. However, this makes them unsuitable for higher chamber pressures. Centerfire cartridge brass is much harder, because only the primer cup needs to be soft.

With the switch from black powder to smokeless powder, higher chamber pressures became commonplace and rimfire cartridges became largely obsolete.

The most common rimfire cartridge in use today is .22LR, popular for target shooting and pest control. Due to low cost and low recoil it is probably the most popular cartridge in the world.

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Q: What is the difference between an centerfire and a rimfire rifle?
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Related questions

Can you use rimfire cartridges in a centerfire rifle?

No. The terms "rimfire" & "centerfire" should self-explain. On rimfire the priming compound is in the rim of the cartridge and on centerfire the primer with the priming compound is in the center of the cartridge.


Can a rifle shoot rimfire and centerfire bullets?

Not without some adapter device.


How do you know if a rifle is a rimfire or centerfire rifle?

If you look at the bolt face, a center fire rifle will have the firing pin located in the center of the bolt. A rimfire rifle will have the firing pin located on the outside edge of the bolt.


Is a 22 centerfire?

There are 22 caliber centerfire cartridges such as the .22 Hornet and others, but ordinary 22 cartridges (short, long, long rifle) are rimfire.


What is the diffence between a 22 caliber and a 25 caliber pistol bullet?

If you're talking about the difference between a .22 short or long rifle and a .25 ACP, the .22 is a rimfire cartridge and the .25 is a centerfire. Also, the .25 is .03 of an inch larger in diamter.


What is centerfire rifle?

centerfire merly means that the bullet is fired via a primer seated in the rear middle of a cartridge. that differs from a muzzel loading firarm which requires the charge to be set off with a nipple cap as apposed to a center fire primer.........


How far can a 17 caliber rifle bullet travel?

There are several different .17 caliber catridges- some rimfire, some centerfire.


What type of gun is a 22 magnum--rimfire or centerfire?

A .22 magnum round is a rimfire cartridge,Today. The first .22 magnum was a centerfire. it is very hard if not impossible to buy new centerfire rifels, however the shells are still plentiful. I think a much more accurate shell ,at least for me than the rimfire. my father had a centerfire .22 magnum rifle lever action, with the magazine running along the barrel. if anyone has one I am looking for one. my brother got my dads.


Are bolt action rifles also centerfire rifles?

Not necessarily. Centerfire and rimfire refer to the cartridge. Those with a primer in the center of the cartridge base are centerfire, and those with propellant packed in the rim are rimfire. Popular centerfire cartridges include the .223 Remington, .380 Winchester, .30-30, .30-06, 7.62x39, 7.62x54R, etc. The most commonly known rimfire cartridge is the .22 Long Rifle. There are bolt action rifles manufactured for each type of cartridge.


Is there a difference between .22 rimfire and .22 long?

22 long is a type of 22 rimfire. Others are CB, short, long rifle and a few others .


Can you shoot a 22 LR from a 22 Hornet Rifle?

No. They are totally different size and shape cartridges. 22LR si rimfire, 22 Hornet is a centerfire.


What is the difference between a 22 long rifle bullet and a 223 bullet?

The .22 Long Rifle is a rimfire, whereas the .223 Remington is a centerfire cartridge. The .223 uses a longer 'spitzer' projectile vs. the rounded projectile of the .22 LR. The .223 tends to be a heavier projectile, and has a much higher velocity than the .22 LR.