Rimfire vs Centerfire Ammunition
![Centerfire vs Rimfire](https://beasafehunter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/courses/hunter2023/images/chapter-03/centerfire-vs-rimfire.png?width=1920&height=325&name=centerfire-vs-rimfire.png)
The ammunition is classified as rimfire or centerfire based on where the primer is located.
Centerfire
![Centerfire primer projectiles](https://beasafehunter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/courses/hunter2023/images/chapter-03/centerfire-primer-projectiles.png?width=1920&height=376&name=centerfire-primer-projectiles.png)
- Primer is located in the center of the base.
- Centerfire - used for rifles, shotguns, and handguns.
Rimfire
![Rimfire primer projectiles](https://beasafehunter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/courses/hunter2023/images/chapter-03/rimfire-primer-projectiles.png?width=1920&height=477&name=rimfire-primer-projectiles.png)
- Primer is contained in the rim of the ammunition
- Limited to low pressure
- .22 caliber loads are most common
- Casings cannot be reloaded
Magnum loads
Magnum loads have more powder and/or shot than target or field loads. The same ammunition can be filled with several power charges. The boxes may be marked target, field or magnum load.
Magnum cartridge
![Magnum cartridge](https://beasafehunter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/courses/hunter2023/images/chapter-03/magnum-vs-22-lower-caliber.png?width=1100&height=455&name=magnum-vs-22-lower-caliber.png)
Magnum shotshell
![Magnum gauge shotshells](https://beasafehunter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/courses/hunter2023/images/chapter-03/magnum-gauge-shotshells.png?width=1100&height=434&name=magnum-gauge-shotshells.png)