Would someone please explain the difference between the 2. I have an idea, but it is probably incorrect.

Also, I have a Ruger 10-22. Is it a rimfire and if so, can centerfire ammo be shot in it or is each type of ammo restricted to the type of weapon that only shoots the ammo. Thanks for any answer.

Ammo must be specific to the gun.

But above that, rimfire ammo fires by a firing pin strike to the RIM of the case...rim is hollow and there si priming compound inside the rim. BE3scasue of this need for a thin hollow rim, rimfies don't run at real high pressure.

Center fire fires by a strike to a replaceable seperate primer that is in the center of the case's head. Becasue of the seperate primer and solid head of the case, centerfires can be made to run at high pressure.

Thanks ribbonstone, I didn't know the specifics of what you posted, but I did have it right on the difference, just by the way it was named. I just needed the confirmation you provided to substantiate what I thought. Thank you.

In addition, rim fire cases are not reloadable. Center fire cases are reloadable, by pressing out the used primer and inserting a brand new one.

Another difference is that you can buy 500 rounds of .22LR ammo for around $10, while for most centerfire catridges you pay at least $10 for 20 rounds

You can do lots of .22 rimfire shooting with your Ruger 10-22 at very low cost! Also, there are lots of aftermarket parts that you can try that are designed specifically for your Ruger . Enjoy :p !

Another difference is that you can buy 500 rounds of .22LR ammo for around $10, while for most centerfire cartridges you pay at least $10 for 20 rounds

500 rounds for $10 sounds like a good deal to me if I could get it.


I'm new to the forum, and know relatively little about guns. The rimfire vs. centerfire issue is one many areas I'm unknowledgeable on.

I'm curious to know if all .22LR is rimfire or not. I've fired both .22LR and .40SW at the local indoor range. I'm pretty sure the .40SW is centerfire, since I inadvertently brought one of the empty casings home (It fell down my back after ejecting from another shooter's gun.) Unfortunately, I didn't pay much attention to the .22LRs I was using at the range.

But the price difference of the cartridges is large. The .22LRs are $5 for 50. The .40SW are $15 for 50.

Would the .22LR price be cheaper if it was rimfire? Or are all .22LRs rimfires to begin with?

I need an awful lot of practice with a rifle, and the cost of ammunition is a big limiting factor on how much practice I can afford.

500 rounds for $10 sounds like a good deal to me if I could get it.


I'm new to the forum, and know relatively little about guns. The rimfire vs. centerfire issue is one many areas I'm unknowledgeable on.

I'm curious to know if all .22LR is rimfire or not. I've fired both .22LR and .40SW at the local indoor range. I'm pretty sure the .40SW is centerfire, since I inadvertently brought one of the empty casings home (It fell down my back after ejecting from another shooter's gun.) Unfortunately, I didn't pay much attention to the .22LRs I was using at the range.

But the price difference of the cartridges is large. The .22LRs are $5 for 50. The .40SW are $15 for 50.

Would the .22LR price be cheaper if it was rimfire? Or are all .22LRs rimfires to begin with?

I need an awful lot of practice with a rifle, and the cost of ammunition is a big limiting factor on how much practice I can afford.

The 22LR (long rifle) is one of several different rimfire cartridges that are commonly available and all of them are relatively inexpensive, compared to centerfire ammunition. Each cartridge has exact design specifications and the 22LR is, by definition, a rimfire cartridge. You should always know EXACTLY what ammunition your gun is designed for and fire ONLY that ammunition, in that gun. More than most other subjects, it is vitally important to understand the details of any firearm you shoot. This includes the ammunition that can be safely fired in that firearm.

You will find that most of the experienced shooters on this forum have fired many times more rimfire rounds than centerfire, and they will attribute much of their shooting skill to this fact. There is no more useful tool for learning to shoot a rifle well than a good quality, bolt-action, rimfire rifle. Whether it shoots 22LR, 22WMR (Winchester Magnum Rifle) or one of the 17 caliber rimfire cartridges, such a rifle is undoubtedly the least expensive, yet most effective, means of learning to shoot a rifle well. For that matter, a pistol shooting 22LR rounds is probably the best way to introduce someone to handgun shooting!

If I may make an analogy: The 22LR is, to the shooting sports, what bluegills are to fishing. Even if you've shot 10,000 rounds of 22, it's always fun to shoot a few more! :)

Ten dollars for 500 rounds of .22LR is very optimistic in this day and age. That was the bulk price for very cheap steel cased Russian ammo when they started exporting it to this country years ago - about $100 a case of 5000 rounds.
Best bulk price nowadays is about double that $10/500.
Pete