Rimfire vs. Centerfire Ammo: Key Differences & Best Uses

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A random guy buys a random gun and grabs random ammo. Centerfire? Rimfire? Doesn’t care. It’s a free country.

But here’s the thing: random doesn’t work well when it comes to firearms.

Sure, you can buy whatever ammo you want. But in this totally random scenario? Never mind the shooter’s skills, there’s a good chance that gun won’t even fire.

Here at 45 Blast we talk a lot about how to shoot, what drills to run, and what kind of pistol to choose. But maybe it’s time we talk about what you are feeding that pistol, because ammo matters.

A round of ammo has four main parts: the case, the primer, the powder, and the bullet.

The difference between rimfire vs. centerfire comes down to how the bullet primer works. What is the primer? It's that tiny component at the base of the cartridge, that your firing pin hits to ignite the powder and fire the round.

Too much information too fast? Gear up, because this is your quick crash course on ammo ignition, and it’s just getting started.

What is Rimfire Ammo?

Rimfire ammunition gets its name from the way the primer is built into the rim of the cartridge base. This means the primer compound is spread inside the rim itself. First introduced in 1857, rimfire rounds are old-school and still going strong.

The key here is the ignition mechanism. Here’s how rimfire firearms work:

1. The firing pin crushes the rim of the cartridge.

2. Ignites the primer and sets off the powder.

3. Bang! The pressure launches the bullet.

Rimfire ammo is designed for smaller calibers, such as .22 LR. On the plus side, it’s lightweight, cheaper to manufacture, and delivers lower recoil.

But rimfire ammo also has its downsides. It offers less stopping power, tends to have more reliability issues, and you can’t reload it. There’s also less caliber variety available (if you are curious about that, check out our ammo grain guide here).

What is rimfire ammo used for? It’s popular among beginners, for target practice, and for varmint hunting.

Next up, we’ll break down its tougher, center-punched cousin.

What is Centerfire Ammo?

Centerfire ammunition has the primer located in the center of the cartridge base. Instead of being built into the rim like rimfire, the primer here is a separate, round component that gets struck directly by the firing pin.

Centerfire is the most common type of ammo used today. You will find it in larger calibers like 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.

So as you can see, we have got a slightly different firing mechanism here. Centerfire ignition works like this:

• The firing pin strikes the center of the cartridge.

• The primer ignites the powder.

• The pressure sends the bullet flying.

Centerfire ammo comes with a lot of pros: more stopping power, wider caliber availability, better reliability. Also, as the case usually survives after firing, you can even reload it.

On the downside, centerfire is more expensive, heavier, and the recoil hits harder.

What is centerfire ammo used for? It’s the go-to choice for self-defense, military, law enforcement, and competitive shooting.

Rimfire vs. Centerfire: Key Differences

So as you can see, the main difference is the primer. Seems simple, but this is exactly why choosing randomly is not an option. The primer setup changes everything, from performance to purpose.

Let’s compare rimfire vs centerfire side by side: what they are better for, what calibers they use, and how they stack up in reliability, cost, and reusability.

Which One Should You Choose?

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We’ll never know if the random guy with the random gun who bought random ammo just didn’t ask… or if he was trying out some weird experiment.

What we hope is that you choose your ammo wisely. Depending on what you want it for, you’ll either go with rimfire or centerfire. You have got to figure that out before you buy a gun.

Or at least adjust your ammo of choice to whatever landed in your hands.

Rimfire ammo vs centerfire ammo: The real question is, what are you shooting for?

Best Ammo For Beginners

Many pros suggest that beginners start with rimfire. It makes complete sense: it’s cheaper, and recoil is more manageable. When you are new to guns, the easier the better.

Still, here at 45 Blast, we have a slightly different take.

If you are a beginner, part of your journey is figuring out why you want to learn how to shoot. If your goal is self-defense, or you imagine going for competitions in the future,  starting with more common pistol calibers like 9mm or .45 ACP is a smart call.

Why? Because it's better to learn with the same kind of gear you plan to use. And remember, centerfire is still the most popular and reliable ammo type out there.

And if you are worried about recoil, we have an option for you. Get one of our top-tier comps. Not only will it make things easier while you are learning, but it’ll also help you shoot faster and more accurately for whatever your future holds.

Best Ammo For Self-defense

Most of the gun community agrees on this one: self-defense means centerfire ammo. The reasons for this are more than solid.

In high-stress situations, you need your firearm to be reliable and hit with enough stopping power to protect you and your family.

And here is an important side note: you never know when or where a threat might show up. Odds are, when something goes down, the closest firearm will be a larger caliber pistol. Best be familiar with centerfire.

Best Ammo For Hunting

This is where a lot of shooters swear by rimfire ammo, especially .22 LR and .22 WMR.

The reasons make sense: rimfire is lightweight, so you can carry more of it on a long day in the field. If you are loading up a backpack for a hunting trip, rimfire saves space and weight and your back will thank you.

It’s also easier on the budget. Sure, rimfire can be slightly less reliable, but your life usually doesn’t depend on a flawless shot when you are out chasing small game.

Best Ammo For Tactical Shooting

No contest here. Ask any tactical shooter and they’ll say it loud: centerfire.

Law enforcement and military personnel rely on larger caliber handguns and rifles every day. They need consistent stopping power and non-negotiable reliability. So, for tactical shooting, centerfire ammo it is.

Best Ammo For Competitive Shooting

Centerfire ammo dominates most competitive divisions of the NRA. Calibers like 9mm and .45 are the go-to for shooters running optics-ready setups, extended mags, and full custom builds. This type of ammo just makes more sense for anyone looking to step into open division or action pistol competitions.

That said, rimfire shooting competitions are a thing (and a fun one, we may add). Steel Challenge rimfire stages, for example, are fast, low-recoil, and affordable. 

Yes, the truth is, there are fewer divisions and fewer matches tailored to rimfire. So if you want full access to the competitive world, centerfire is still the ticket.

Experience the Best Ammo Performance

That does it for our quick rimfire vs centerfire crash course. So now you know: don’t go random when choosing ammo.

Understanding how bullet primers, ammo performance, and casing types work helps you shoot smarter and safer. Once you have got that down, you can pick exactly what you need, whether it’s for hunting, practice, self-defense, or competition.

And if you are running a Canik pistol, make sure your setup is as sharp as your shooting. Our 45 Blast compensators are built to tame recoil, boost speed, and keep you on target, round after round.

So pick your ammo right, and get ready to level up your performance.