What is meant by rim fire and center fire?

Answer 1

Rim fire and center fire refer to the location on the cartridge where the priming compound is located. In rim fire shells such as the .22 rim fire, the priming compound is located in the rim of the base of the shell. The gun which is chambered for these shells have a firing pin which strikes the rim of the shell thereby igniting the priming compound. With center fire shells, the priming compound is located in a primer which is pressed into the center of the base of shell. Guns chambered for center fire cartridges have the firing pin located so that it strikes the primer located in the center of the base of the shell. Most cartridges are of the center fire type.

Answer 2

rim fire /center fire a 22 cal is basically a rim fire there is no primer to strike if you look at the end of the shell there is no primer a load like 30-06 has a primer in the center of the shell

Answer 3

Bound's hubby here:

Rimfire cartridges are shells where the ignition source is in the rim of the brass casing. Because of the design, these shells are not reloadable. The firing pin on a rimfire rifle is flat-faced, and usually square of rectangular. Because rimfire cartridges are usually of low power, they are also reasonably affordable. Twenty-two rimfire cartridges typically cost a few dollars for 50 shells.

Centerfire cartridges are shells that have a replaceable ignition source in the center of the case head. Centerfire cartridges can be reloaded, rather easily. The firing pin on a centerfire firearm is usually round, with a curved surface that contacts the primer (ignition source). Centerfire cartridges, which are reloadable, tend to be more expensive than rimfire cartridges, and can run anywhere from $10 on up for a box of handgun cartridges, $4 on up for a box of shotgun shells, or $10 or more for a box of 20 rifle cartridges.

Answer 4

Center fire means the firing pin strikes only the center of the shell casing and rim fire means that the firing pin can strike anywhere

Answer 5

on a center fire, the firing pin hits the center of the bullet caseing, and on the rim fire the firing pin hits the rim of the bullet caseing

Answer 6

centerfire refers to the percussion cap being in the center on the carridge, the firing pin hits the center on the bullet to ignite the gunpowder, a rimfire does not have a percussion cap in the center of the bullet, the cap is incorporated into the rim of the cartridge, the firing pin hits the rim to ignite the gun powder.

centerfires cartridges can be reloaded but are more expensive, so you see them used for more expensive rounds

rimfire cartridges are cheaper to make but can't be reloaded (AFAIK), so they are used for smaller cheaper ammunition