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Rim-fire or Center-fire?

The location of the primer tells you if a cartridge is rimfire or centerfire. Generally, center-fire cartridges are more powerful than rim-fire cartridges.

bulleted listThe center-fire cartridge has a primer located in the center of the base.

bulleted listThe rim-fire cartridge has no noticeable primer. Instead, the priming compound is placed and spun into the case rim. When the rim is struck by the firing pin, the priming compound explodes, igniting the powder.

center fire         

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