​Rimfire Rifles
A rimfire rifle generally refers to a .22 or .22 magnum, or a .17 HMR, however there are others.  These ones tend to be the most popular in New Zealand and are generally used for small game hunting (rabbits and possums), as well as being very good for target shooting as well as learning to shoot as they have almost no recoil at all.
Rimfire ammunition works by the rifle’s firing pin striking the ‘rim’ of the case, hence the name ‘rimfire’.  In the rim of the case is a primer compound and this ignites when struck by the firing pin.  With the primer compound igniting, this in turn ignites the gun powder forcing the projectile down the barrel.

A .22 projectile can go approximately 1,500 metres.
 
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Centrefire Rifles:
A Centrefire refers to a .222 or above, including calibres commonly used for hunting larger or big game – .222 for wallabys and goats through to .308 and bigger for Red Deer and Wapiti , etc.  These calibre and hunting descriptions are an indication only.
Centrefire cartridges work by the firing pin hitting the primer on the cartridge base which causes a small explosion or spark inside the case, and this ignites the gun powder.  This explosion then forces the projectile out from the case and down the barrel.

A centrefire projectile can go 4-5 kilometres.

Muzzle Velocity
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