Rimfire? Centerfire?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Arlington
Rimfire? Centerfire?
Well my question is what is the differences between rimfire and centerfire? Im looking into getting my first rifle and wanted to know the difference between the two.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Centerfire means the primer that the firing pin hits is in the center of the base of the brass, while rimfire has the primer around the edge of the base, with a slight flare at the very base of the brass.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Arlington
Originally Posted by Ford_Six
Centerfire means the primer that the firing pin hits is in the center of the base of the brass, while rimfire has the primer around the edge of the base, with a slight flare at the very base of the brass.
Is one better than the other? Or they both about the same just different ways of firing?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 2
From: CA Central Coast
Originally Posted by CrazySpyder69
Ok great! Thats what I wanted to know.
Is one better than the other? Or they both about the same just different ways of firing?
Is one better than the other? Or they both about the same just different ways of firing?
Seems like one advantage to centerfire is the primer is actually a separate piece pressed into the cartridge, meaning it can be replaced. So if you get to the point where you want to be doing your own reloads and custom ammo, centerfire might be the way to go. You can save/collect brass and cut your costs, while you customize your loads. I did this years ago when I shot competition skeet.
I'd also imagine that centerfire makes for more even burning?
I'm sure the experts will be chiming in in a day or two. Wait for that. Meanwhile, you might want to Yahoo search for gun forums, and ammo/reload forums.
Erik
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,653
Likes: 3
From: in the adirondack mts
also, rimfires are small calibers. .17 .22.., good for small animals and target practice. center fires get more punch, you know, "reach out and touch someone". these are your hunting and protection rounds. this is just an abridged discription for a new gun buyer. good luck and get a saftey course when you buy
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
Likes: 2,800
Rimfire is less dependable. Centerfire cartridges tend to be sealed up better and don't suffer from moisture etc. You can spin the bullet in a lot of .22s, and if it's that loose, water will get in. Not sure about the .17s. Certainly .22 mag and .17 ammo may be made better by some mfg.
For your first rifle, a rimfire is the way to go. Cheap to shoot, and you will want to do lots of it.
Centerfire rifles are really a whole different world. When you look at the power and range, you really go way up the pucker scale when dealing with these.
A .22 has plenty of range for sure, but consider that all but the most anemic centerfire rifle HAS MORE POWER AT 400 YARDS THAN A .357 HAS AT THE MUZZLE. You don't just pop those off like a .22....
Anyway, there are a great number of .22s out there and most all are fine quality guns that will shoot 100s of thousands of rounds.
Happy hunting....
For your first rifle, a rimfire is the way to go. Cheap to shoot, and you will want to do lots of it.
Centerfire rifles are really a whole different world. When you look at the power and range, you really go way up the pucker scale when dealing with these.
A .22 has plenty of range for sure, but consider that all but the most anemic centerfire rifle HAS MORE POWER AT 400 YARDS THAN A .357 HAS AT THE MUZZLE. You don't just pop those off like a .22....
Anyway, there are a great number of .22s out there and most all are fine quality guns that will shoot 100s of thousands of rounds.
Happy hunting....
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 10,600
Likes: 3
From: Carhenge
Actually, there were at least .50 cal rimfire cartridges made in early cased cartridges. I have a .50 rimfire case that I found near an old Overland Trail stage stop a number of years ago.
The big advantage to centerfire cartridges is that the primer is replacable (a seperate piece) which allows the casings to be reused. Rimfires are single use and disposed. To put a removable primer requires a certain amount of "space", so small caliber ammunition is typically rimfire, larger caliber and shotguns is typically centerfire.
The big advantage to centerfire cartridges is that the primer is replacable (a seperate piece) which allows the casings to be reused. Rimfires are single use and disposed. To put a removable primer requires a certain amount of "space", so small caliber ammunition is typically rimfire, larger caliber and shotguns is typically centerfire.
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,964
Likes: 1
From: Woodruff, SC
Heres the difference! This is centerfire(arrow pointing to the primer).
This is rimfire! As from the pic the firing pin hits the rim to discharge the bullet.
This is rimfire! As from the pic the firing pin hits the rim to discharge the bullet.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
550 .22 rimfire rounds - $9
20 .44 center fire rounds - $20+
Get yourself a decent .22 and practice, practice, practice. Find someone that shoots to show you the basics. When you get good, try something bigger.
A nice .22 long gun - Ruger 10/22, under $200 at any gun store, including Wal-Mart. If you get bored with it you'll be able to recoup most of your cost, the 10/22 is an extremely popular gun.
I have a number of guns and still fire more .22's than all the others combined. I easily shoot 1000 rounds/month, (2000+ in a good month). I have 40 acres and have my own handgun range in the back yard.
20 .44 center fire rounds - $20+
Get yourself a decent .22 and practice, practice, practice. Find someone that shoots to show you the basics. When you get good, try something bigger.
A nice .22 long gun - Ruger 10/22, under $200 at any gun store, including Wal-Mart. If you get bored with it you'll be able to recoup most of your cost, the 10/22 is an extremely popular gun.
I have a number of guns and still fire more .22's than all the others combined. I easily shoot 1000 rounds/month, (2000+ in a good month). I have 40 acres and have my own handgun range in the back yard.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
Likes: 9
From: iowa
I agree get a .22 for your first gun it's cheap to shoot, they are pretty dependable, they have little to no recoil (gaurenttee you if you fire my 338 mag or 7mm mag as the first gun you shoot it will probably be the last one too) and they are just a lot of fun. I own several guns like the 2 mentioned above, I have shot the 338 a total of about 30 times including shooting at whatever I was hunting, I have shot just one of my .22s in the tens of thousands of times, and I own 4 right now.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Arlington
Wow, ALOT of replies. Thx for all the info guys.
TheWiz427-Thanks for that. I thought rim fire would be around the primer in the centerfire, if you even know what im talking about. So that cleared things up pretty well.
I have already shot a 12 gauge shotgun and a .22. My soon to be father in law wanted me to shoot a 12 gauge "long tom" as he called it. That thing was about as tall as me! And im 6 feet tall! Im kinda glad I didnt "get" to shoot it. There was a cactus right behind me too!
But anyway im looking at a .243 for my first gun. I have shot many many bb guns but that doesnt mean I can/want to jump up to a 30-06.
I found a gun forum but its really not a "noob" gun forum which is what I need. Any suggestions?
Well thx for all the replies!
TheWiz427-Thanks for that. I thought rim fire would be around the primer in the centerfire, if you even know what im talking about. So that cleared things up pretty well.
I have already shot a 12 gauge shotgun and a .22. My soon to be father in law wanted me to shoot a 12 gauge "long tom" as he called it. That thing was about as tall as me! And im 6 feet tall! Im kinda glad I didnt "get" to shoot it. There was a cactus right behind me too!
But anyway im looking at a .243 for my first gun. I have shot many many bb guns but that doesnt mean I can/want to jump up to a 30-06.
I found a gun forum but its really not a "noob" gun forum which is what I need. Any suggestions?
Well thx for all the replies!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Arlington
HAHA! All I think I really want is a .22 .243 and a 12 gauge shotgun. But who knows! lol Do you have any pictures of your collection? Im really interested in seeing them!
Instead of making a whole new thread for one simple question I thought i'd add onto this one since were already on the topic of guns. I see alot of .22's that say LR ammo. What does the LR stand for?
Instead of making a whole new thread for one simple question I thought i'd add onto this one since were already on the topic of guns. I see alot of .22's that say LR ammo. What does the LR stand for?