What distinguishes centerfire ammunition from rimfire ammunition?

Centerfire ammunition is distinguished from rimfire ammunition primarily by the location of the primer. In rimfire ammunition, the primer is located in the rim of the cartridge case. When fired, the firing pin strikes the rim, igniting the primer, which then ignites the propellant, causing the bullet to be propelled from the casing. This design allows for simpler manufacturing processes but limits the power and uses for rimfire cartridges.

In contrast, centerfire ammunition has the primer located in the center of the cartridge’s base. This configuration allows for a more powerful charge and makes centerfire cartridges more versatile for a variety of firearms, including rifles and handguns. The shapes and materials involved in these ammunition types also differ, which further contributes to their unique characteristics in terms of performance and application.

Other options, such as centerfire ammunition being exclusively designed for shotguns or variations in weight and cost, do not accurately encapsulate the primary differences between these two types of ammunition.