The main difference between centerfire and rimfire ammunition is the location of the primer, which is the part of the cartridge that ignites the gunpowder and propels the bullet out of the barrel.
In centerfire ammunition, the primer is located at the center of the cartridge’s base. The firing pin of the firearm strikes the center of the base, which ignites the primer and sets off the gunpowder. Centerfire cartridges are typically larger and more powerful than rimfire cartridges and are used in a wide variety of firearms, including rifles, handguns, and shotguns.
In contrast, in rimfire ammunition, the primer is located in the rim of the cartridge’s base. When the firing pin strikes the edge of the base, it crushes the rim and ignites the primer, which in turn ignites the gunpowder. Rimfire cartridges are smaller and less powerful than centerfire cartridges and are used primarily in small-caliber firearms, such as .22 rifles and handguns.
Overall, centerfire ammunition is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of firearms, while rimfire ammunition is generally less powerful and limited to smaller firearms.