rimfire/centerfire cartridge and action?

NorCalAshnjikov · 10-18-2004, 10:11 AM

So I've been reading stuff about guns on the interweb
(chuckhawks etc etc)
but I can't figure out the difference between rimfire/centerfire.
I understand the cartridges are called centerfire/rimfire
due to the primer placement,
but what about rifles (action ...)?
Can a 22rimfire not fire 22centerfire ammo? Why or why not?
I noticed that the bigger calibers and high/power ammo are mostly
centerfire, any reason for this (or why centerfire; why rimfire)?

Thanks

jerry · 10-18-2004, 10:31 AM

The priming coumpound is located in the rim on rimfire ammo.
The firing pin strikes anywhere on the rim to ignite the charge of powder.
Typically small caliber .22 .17 HMR, .22 mag etc..
Through history larger caliber rimfires have existed.

The draw back is reliability. Leave rimfire in a gun or mag and possibly expose the prime compound to oil water, etc.

The advantace, cost. Rimfire is cheap to shoot.

Centerfire uses the primer in the middle of the case. It is more reliable, less affeted by external moisture and oil. Reloadable (typically)

No a rimfire can't fire centerfire ammo unless a convversion is used. 1911 style pistols have conversion kits as well as AR type rifles and possibly some others.

Brief, but hope it helps a bit.

If not, stand by, someone will cut and paste the heck out of this then we'll be in a 3 week debate with a few bloody noses.

Big Dog · 10-18-2004, 12:03 PM

Power-wise, rimfire cases must be thin to allow the firing pin to crush the rim - this limits the pressure the cartridge can generate. Centerfires can be made to withstand much more pressure. So, the larger RF pistol cartridges were simply superceded by much more powerful and efficient CF designs.
Also, rimfire can't as a rule be reloaded.
Rimfires also used a "heeled bullet" that was as big diameter as the outside of the case. This too is harder to reload than the usual CF bullet the diameter of the inside of the case.

Clear as mud?

NorCalAshnjikov · 10-19-2004, 01:03 AM

Yes, very clear. Thank you both

G Hollingsworth · 10-19-2004, 08:15 AM

Ha Big Dog ,I'm glad you said "as a rule"

Big Dog · 10-19-2004, 09:43 AM

Yep, GH. I've heard of it being done, with mixed results. I like my fingers too much to try it.

NRAJOE · 10-19-2004, 09:45 AM

Almost bought an old .32 revolver until I realized it shot .32 RIMFIRE! Good luck finding THAT ammo! If you did, probably wouldn't even work anymore!

10-18-2004, 10:11 AM	#1
NorCalAshnjikov Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 688	rimfire/centerfire cartridge and action? So I've been reading stuff about guns on the interweb (chuckhawks etc etc) but I can't figure out the difference between rimfire/centerfire. I understand the cartridges are called centerfire/rimfire due to the primer placement, but what about rifles (action ...)? Can a 22rimfire not fire 22centerfire ammo? Why or why not? I noticed that the bigger calibers and high/power ammo are mostly centerfire, any reason for this (or why centerfire; why rimfire)? Thanks

10-18-2004, 10:31 AM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,750	The priming coumpound is located in the rim on rimfire ammo. The firing pin strikes anywhere on the rim to ignite the charge of powder. Typically small caliber .22 .17 HMR, .22 mag etc.. Through history larger caliber rimfires have existed. The draw back is reliability. Leave rimfire in a gun or mag and possibly expose the prime compound to oil water, etc. The advantace, cost. Rimfire is cheap to shoot. Centerfire uses the primer in the middle of the case. It is more reliable, less affeted by external moisture and oil. Reloadable (typically) No a rimfire can't fire centerfire ammo unless a convversion is used. 1911 style pistols have conversion kits as well as AR type rifles and possibly some others. Brief, but hope it helps a bit. If not, stand by, someone will cut and paste the heck out of this then we'll be in a 3 week debate with a few bloody noses. __________________

10-18-2004, 12:03 PM	#3
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 9,844	Power-wise, rimfire cases must be thin to allow the firing pin to crush the rim - this limits the pressure the cartridge can generate. Centerfires can be made to withstand much more pressure. So, the larger RF pistol cartridges were simply superceded by much more powerful and efficient CF designs. Also, rimfire can't as a rule be reloaded. Rimfires also used a "heeled bullet" that was as big diameter as the outside of the case. This too is harder to reload than the usual CF bullet the diameter of the inside of the case. Clear as mud? __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

10-19-2004, 09:43 AM	#6
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 9,844	Yep, GH. I've heard of it being done, with mixed results. I like my fingers too much to try it. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

10-19-2004, 09:45 AM	#7
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 18,893	Almost bought an old .32 revolver until I realized it shot .32 RIMFIRE! Good luck finding THAT ammo! If you did, probably wouldn't even work anymore! __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

10-19-2004, 01:03 AM	#4
NorCalAshnjikov Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 688	Yes, very clear. Thank you both

10-19-2004, 08:15 AM	#5
G Hollingsworth Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 227	Ha Big Dog ,I'm glad you said "as a rule"

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