When it comes to rimfire recommendations, CCI 22LR ammo is at the top of most lists. It’s affordable, reliable, and has a variety of options to suit your needs. That said, CCI’s rimfire ammo is undeniably some of the highest-quality stuff that could make it into your rifle or handgun’s chamber. If you’ve got a “picky” firearm, or need ammo that runs clean, look no further!

CCI History

The CCI company was founded in 1950 by former Boeing employee Dick Speer (who is not to be confused with his brother Vernon, the founder of Speer). CCI would revolutionize the ammo industry upon introducing the first heat-treated aircraft-grade aluminum case. Speer also earned a fair deal of clout by developing more reliable and cleaner igniting primers. They still showcase their primers in every line of 22 LR ammo the Idahoan company offers.

CCI 22LR Ammo Showcase 

22 Suppressor 

Want to dispatch small game … discreetly? CCI’s Suppressor line of ammunition isn’t just loaded with hollow point bullets that ensure positive (and deadly) terminal expansion. Thanks to the bullet’s relatively heavy 45-grain weight, its muzzle velocity out of a long gun’s barrel clocks in at approximately 970 fps – significantly lower than the speed of sound, which prevents the supersonic “cracking” report that makes a suppressor less effective.

AR Tactical

 Got an AR-style 22 LR rifle or carbine? Then, you can count on CCI’s AR Tactical series 22 LR ammunition to treat you to smooth feeding and consistent accuracy. This ammo delivers 1.5” shot groups at ranges up to 100 yards – not too shabby – and doesn’t produce excessive fouling to cuss about while you’re cleaning your AR after the fact.

Blazer

Blazer is CCI’s budget-friendly line of range ammo. These lead round-nose loads are perfect for casual target shooting and plinking and are available packaged in milk cartons. So long as you can avoid the mistake of pouring it on your cornflakes, Blazer rimfire ammo will treat you to good old-fashioned range fun.

Clean-22

You love firing your 22 LR firearm but hate dealing with excessive lead residue while cleaning up afterward. That’s a catch-22 if we’ve ever heard of one. Thankfully, there is Clean-22 ammunition, which features polymer-coated bullets that dramatically decelerate the fouling of the barrel. That promotes appreciably better accuracy in between cleanings! 

Clean-22 Suppressor 

Just like Clean-22, this ammo is loaded with polymer-coated solid lead projectiles. They reduce lead buildup inside suppressors by 60 to 80 percent, so you can spend far less time polishing up your baffles upon completing a range day. Optimized bullet geometry enhances functionality in semi-automatic firearms and improves overall accuracy!

CCI 22LR: Green Tag

This is CCI’s budget-friendly competition ammo, designed to deliver sterling accuracy out of pistols and rifles alike. Precision lead round nose bullets deliver clockwork trajectories, and a subsonic 1,070 fps muzzle velocity out of a long gun’s barrel completely preempts the transonic destabilization that impairs accuracy at ranges beyond a few dozen yards.

CCI 22LR: Mini-Mag 

Many customers ask us if CCI’s Mini-Mag line of ammunition is too powerful for their 22 LR firearms. They see the word “Mag” and imagine it’s 22 Magnum or some strange “22 LR Magnum” variant. Not so! Mini-Mag is just CCI’s insanely popular solution to all kinds of small game hunting. It’s available in a 36gr copper-plated hollow point, or fragmenting segmented hollow point projectiles. The varmint will never know what hit it, and not just because its brain is too small to comprehend such information.

Mini-Mag (Target)

Do you prefer a supersonic muzzle velocity for target practice? CCI’s 40gr Target Mini-Mag 22 LR will satisfy with its 1,235 fps muzzle velocity and smooth-feeding and low-fouling copper-plated round-nose projectiles. It’s not ideal for varmint hunting, but it’s more than capable as long as your marksmanship isn’t embarrassing.

 Pistol Match 

Optimized to deliver excellent accuracy out of any handgun, CCI’s Pistol Match series 22 LR ammunition features the optimized bullet geometry, precisely matched primers and powder, and subsonic 1,070 fps muzzle velocity that gives you an extremely predictable trajectory with every trigger pull. 

Quiet-22

“Quiet” is not an exaggeration. This round’s abnormally low 710 fps muzzle velocity translates to the quietest report you’ll ever hear from your 22 LR firearm. As much as 75 percent less perceived noise than a standard velocity alternative. Take care because this ammo’s chamber pressure is almost certainly insufficient to cycle a semi-automatic, and its low-velocity bullet is unlikely to emerge from a 24” or longer barrel. It is also available loaded with excessively injurious segmented hollow point bullets or an 835 fps muzzle velocity promoting surefire operation in semi-autos.

Rimfire Shotshell 

Turn your 22 LR into an extremely weak shotgun! CCI’s Rimfire Shotshell series 22 LR cartridge has 31 grains (1/15 ounces) of #12 shot, each just 1/20” in diameter. If you see a rat, mouse, spider, scorpion, or other animal with zero business breathing the same oxygen as you, a small dose of #12 should set it straight instantly.

Segmented Hollow Point 

Available as subsonic or high-velocity, CCI’s Segmented Hollow Point (SHP) series ammo takes a different approach to deadly terminal performance. Instead of merely widening out, the SHP splits into three equally sized fragments that track just as many wound channels through a varmint’s body.

Small Game Bullet

This round takes an alternative approach to small-game hunting. Where a traditional hollow point expands during penetration to maximize soft tissue damage, the Small Game Bullet cartridge’s lead flat nose does not. The solid point bullet’s cylindrical wound channel still delivers ample stopping power. It also minimizes damage to the quarry’s meat and pelt in the process.

CCI 22LR: Standard Velocity 

CCI’s Standard Velocity series ammo boasts the same subsonic 1,070 fps muzzle velocity as their premium Green Tag competition loads. Manufactured with slightly less attention to minute details, it’s the more economical solution to all your target shooting and plinking needs.

CCI 22LR: Stinger

A Stinger label cartridge’s welterweight 32-grain bullet achieves a lightning-fast 1,640 fps muzzle velocity. As a bonus, it does so without building up a dangerous amount of chamber pressure behind it. You’ll witness a laser-flat trajectory that terminates in rapid and deadly expansion. That’s precisely the kind of performance that’ll make a varmint sorry it crossed paths with you.

Strangers

This ammo is the same as CCI’s Stinger series ammo. They rebranded it to “Strangers” to pay homage to YouTube star 22plinkster’s charming Southern accent. Pins down varmints fast and with minimal pain and suffering on their part!

Sub-Sonic HP

Another great option for hunting varmints without making too much noise. This round’s 1,050 fps muzzle velocity delivers a serviceably flat trajectory without issuing a supersonic crack upon ignition. Plus, its expanding solid lead hollow point bullet sees reliable terminal expansion following impact. Simple yet effective!

CCI 22LR: Velocitor HP

CCI’s Velocitor HP series ammo gives you a peppy muzzle velocity of 1,435 fps – about 200 fps faster than average. It owes that power not to a lighter-than-average bullet but instead to its more potent propellant charge. This round’s copper-plated hollow point reliably reaches 100 yards with over 100 ft-lbs of kinetic energy. This makes it a practical choice for hunting larger small game.

CCI 22LR: Accurate & Reliable

If you don’t have a .22LR pistol or rifle, should you get one? In a word, yes. And when you do, you’ll be glad to stash some CCI 22LR ammunition in your safe. CCI 22LR ammo is the go-to for backyard plinkers and professional competitors alike. The 22LR round is a true classic – and the most cost-efficient way to train and plink at the gun range.