A centerfire cartridge is a cartridge in which the primer is located in the center of the cartridge case head.

The centerfire cartridge has replaced the rimfire in all but the smallest cartridge sizes.

A centerfire cartridge has the primer located in the center of the base. Unlike rimfire cartridges, the primer is a separate and replaceable component.

Except for low-powered .22 and .17 caliber cartridges and a handful of antiques, all modern pistol, rifle, and shotgun ammunition is centerfire.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantage of most centerfire cartridges is that they can be reused by replacing the primer, gunpowder and projectile. This is an advantage for large rifles (Such as the 30-06 cartridge), for which ammunition can be quite expensive. Centerfires also are generally larger and capable of higher powered loads. The chief disadvantage is cost. For target shooting purposes centerfire cartridges are more expensive. Centerfires rule the market in all larger calibers, having replaced earlier large-bore rimfire cartridges.

Shotgun Shells

All shotgun shells (apart from specialized .22 cartridges which hold a very small amount of shot) are center fire, most are made from plastic. Shotgun shells, like all centerfire cartridges, can be reloaded and used again.

See also

• Cartridge
• Rimfire

Ammunition | Firearm terminology