My apologies.
I did not understand the crazy legal restrictions you have in your state.
I am not sure how shooters survive in a place like that. It doesn't really change my opinion of centerfire versus rimfire guns though.
When I shot rimfire, it was to develop speed and reflexes with something affordable.
Our opinions get formed by things we have seen and experienced. When you mention heavy hitters, I am thinking something suitable for hunting Elk or Buffalo. Not sure how well I would tolerate the recoil of those guns these days. I don't have anywhere near the kind of muscle I did a decade or two ago. Age is a B&TCH!