centerfire/rimfire

Question
this is probably a simple question for you.  can you tell me the basic difference between a center fire bullet and a rimfire bullet
thanks

Answer
A centerfire cartridge case has a depression and hole in the bottom for a primer.  The primer is a metal cap with a small amount of percussion-sensitive explosive inside.  The primer is ignited by hitting of the firing pin onto it.  The primer charge then ignites the powder, thus firing the bullet.

After firing, a centerfire case can be reloaded with a new primer, powder, and bullet.

In a rimfire cartridge, the primer charge is included around the inside of the rim at the bottom of the cartridge case. The firing pin dents the rim, and ignites the primer charge.

After firing, it is not practical to reload a rimfire case because the rim is dented, and it would be difficult to install new primer material.

The only popular modern rimfire cartridge in the USA are the .22 LR and .22 short.

Hope this helps!

Dave