Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires CCI Mini-Mag accuracy?

IIRC this ammo always gets high marks for reliability - as in no duds - and very reliable functioning as in not gunking up firearms.

But how have y'all found it for accuracy across multiple platforms? Not counting true target ammo like SK, Wolf, Eley and such, how would you rate it for accuracy compared to Blazers, Remington Golden bullet, Winchester Super-X, Norma TAC 22 or others in what I'd call the mid-level range?

Looking specifically at the 40 grain round nose load.

Ovewr the years, I have done many tests with my 22 RF rifles. Testing for function and accuracy. The CCI Mini-Mag is outstanding for both. I buy it by the case! Grandkids can go through a lot of ammo 😊

A little better than most bulk stuff in terms of groups. But 40 gr Blazer consistently shades it slightly in the accuracy dept in all my guns.

The real forte of minimags is reliability across the board in autoloaders. Every NFA owner I know uses minimags, almost exclusively. Stuff runs my Uzi like a chainsaw.

I’ve never been impressed with their accuracy, but find CCI standard velocity to shoot well in a few rifles.

I have a few bricks of it that I purchased during the 22 shortage. Let's just say that in my rifles (Cooper, Tikka, CZ, all sporters) it gives "adequate" accuracy - about 3/4" for five shot groups at 50 yds and sometimes a bit larger. It is very rare to have a fail to fire with it.

I do have better accuracy from CCI S/V in the same rifles though - about 1/2" five shot groups at 50 yds and just as reliable, although I have read some reports from folks saying it does not operate reliably in semi-autos but I have no personal experience with using it in them.

CCI S/V is generally less expensive than Mini-Mags also.

Making holes in paper - CCI S/V.

Shooting gophers - CCI Mini-Mag HP.


drover

Thanks, sounds like decent stuff but not exceptional.

Was looking on ammoseek.com and saw a good deal on it, 6.8 cents per round before sales tax, with free shipping if you bought the 5000 round case. Bought 3000 rounds of CCI AR Tactical just last week so I hemmed and hawed about it and now they don't show that price anymore.

Oh well, another deal will show up sooner or later.

Targetsports supposedly gets those 50 rd paper box minimags on an exclusive. The plastic boxing is partly why minimags are usually more expensive than SV.

They run the lower price deal every so often. Their shipping is insane fast. Ordered yesterday AM and a case was on the porch 11AM today.

I don't punch paper, but I have killed a lot of squirrels with Mini Mags

Of those you listed on average better than everything except tac 22

I've used Mini-Mags to hunt with and have never been disappointed.

They perform well in my Steel Challenge guns as well.

Accuracy seems good although Blazer tends to be a bit more accurate.

I've shot a fair few mini mags, here and there. Including the 40 gr solid.

Have never used mini mags in any rifle or handgun in which the solid outshot the 36 gr HP.

Mini Mag 36gr HP for the win.

They don’t seem too bad:

That's been my experience also.

For paper though, I do spend a lot more money per round than CCI ammo.

I bought solid-nose when HPs weren’t available, but HPs have always been my choice. Reliable, good killers, accurate enough.

With all the emphasis on itty-bitty groups it’s easy to forget that for most purposes 3/4” or even 1” will be perfectly adequate for many purposes.

I just checked zero on my Marlin 989M2 a couple weeks ago. Seven rounds of Mini-Mag HP's {mag capacity} went into .600" dead center in the bull from 50 yards. That's typical for that rifle with that ammo. Mini-mags shoot good in all my rifles and run through my semi's like shyt through a goose.

Mini mags are great rounds.

I have a few different rimfires, both rifle and handgun.They all have their preference for a particular ammo.
But they all shoot the Mini Mag HP pretty well.

If I had to pick one...

I'm in the same wagon as everyone else with Mini Mags. Exceptionally reliable and consistent, adequate accuracy, excellent terminal performance with the hollowpoint version. Watch some of those denim covered gel test and those little Mini Mag hollowpoints penetrate deep reliably and open to the perfect little expanded mushroom. In the rimfire world they are bad little mama jammers!

I’ve an almost stock Ruger 10/22 (a bit of trigger work and a Hogue overmolded stock) which put five Mini-Mag HPs into one slightly enlarged hole at 50 yards, obliterating the printed X. But, I could only locate the XT-22 pistol target photo above. So, that 10/22 target must remain a case of believe it or not.

CCI Mini-Mag HPs don’t always shoot that well. But, it happens often enough to be expected.

You might say that I am a CCI fanboy - during the spring/summer I will go through 5000 or so rounds of Mini-Mags shooting gophers and during the rest of the year I usually go through a couple of cases of Std Vel shooting paper from my back deck bench. The Std Vel also does a credible job of putting down blackbirds and magpies, it doesn't really blow them up like the Mini-Mags do they just fold up and collapse when hit with the Std Vel.

The Mini-Mag hollow points do a better job on gophers than the solid points do - they both work but there is no doubt that the HP hits harder.

I too have noticed that the 36 gr HPs seem to be a bit more accurate than the 40's but for shooting pests they both work equally well.

I haven't had wildly spectacular results with that one. With the HV HP mini-mag it's a different story. Across 40-ish .22s I've accuracy tested comparing different loads, the CCI mini mag hp has fallen in the top 3 every time that I can remember. The other two top three finishers vary a lot gun to gun. I've had good results with pretty nearly everything from Remington Subsonics to Yellowjackets to WW Wildcat to Eley tenex match .. but generally more guns don't do well with any given one of those loads than do well with it. The mini-mag HP just plain works.

It is still worth testing loads in every new gun rather than assume that's the thing to feed them because sometimes it's a pretty big difference between #1 and #2 in final standings in a given gun. For instance, 2 of my current .22s like that load but they like the WW power point HP even more, not a lot more, but more.

I find that .22 rifles and 12 gauge slug guns are individuals..
You can say "generally" this or that does well. But you really need to try different ammo.
Try to find someone that will give you 10-20 rounds to try in your gun.

I bought some, but haven't tested on paper. The segmented 40gr hollow point version Mini-Mag's. Anyone try them for accuracy out of your hunting rifles or handguns.

Note: They work well on steel flippers. That's all I've used them for to date.

Another example of Mini-Mag HP precision:



That’s five at fifty yards.

If we had a "like" button, I'd hit it for exchipy's post above! That's a nice outfit and fine shooting!

Thank you, sir. That’s an amazing Savage 24, using a particularly good lot of CCI Mini-Mag HPs.

They’re always accurate rounds, but not always quite that tight.

For killing squirrels and other vermin, I agree. However, I see other things differently because I don't like wasting money. I see the CCI mini mags as excessively expensive for mediocre shooting ammo, and not really a "target" bullet. If I were going to be shooting targets, I spend my money on target ammo. Just plinking and having fun, I'll run cheap azzed bulk ammo, which has worked well even for informal target practice with friends. I've shot 10 shot group after 10 shot group with cheaper ammo, Federal bulk mostly and it is a lot less expensive than CCI mini mags. It's been very consistent shooting in my rifles, so I keep using it. In actual rimfire matches, I'll run target ammo to have an edge. Hollow point mini mags work great for killing things like jackrabbits and squirrels. Like you said, they are "accurate enough" for that application. I know, some guys can post ragged hole 5 shout groups with CCI mini mags. And then I think to myself, "what a waste". I can do that with Federal automatch and I shoot 10 shot groups. Its your money, though, use it how you like..

I have the same results with CCI Mini mags as I have with the new Winchester Power Points. They work okay, but not what I would shoot in a competitive situation. For squirrels, jack rabbits, and other field pursuits they are okay but with the pricing these days I can usually find better ammo for the same or better price if I'm patient and shop around.

I really want my rimfires to hit precisely where I look with the best available bullet for the job at hand. Frequently, but certainly not always, CCI Mini-Mags will be my choice. For instance, as well as Mini-Mags shoot in that Sav. 24, I recently switched it over to CCI SGBs to get 40 grains and deeper penetration, with quite reasonable precision and excellent terminal effect with their flat point, on some of the larger, pesky varmints around my place.

While I ain’t exactly rolling in money, cost is never as important to me as having the best gun (which is not necessarily the most expensive) and round for the job. If I can’t afford it, I must simply wait until I can.

I will concur with most folks here, they're great hunting ammo, but surely not target ammo.

I have several .22 rifles that actually shoot Aguila 38gr. Super Extra Hollow Points better, but it's so close that it matters not even a little bit for squirrel hunting.

I bought several cases of the Aguila ammo a few years ago, and I'm still shooting it up. I like it a little better than MiniMags, but I'd probably be just as happy with the CCIs as the Aguilas if the situation was reversed.

Funny you should mention it. I hunt with it. I took my little Marlin 60 out today to the range and had my first CCI Mini Mag dud ever. Otherwise, out of my Marlin 60 and Browning BL-22, it will make one hole at 25 yards, and with the scoped Marlin, a ragged single hole at 50. It's good stuff.

I also like CCI Stingers but to me they are too destructive on squirrels.

You just never know. My 10-22 at 50.

I like CCI SV's and Federal AutoMatch is great bulk ammo. Shoots excellent in my guns.

Nice...

Just found this somewhat older thread. I had a Model 24 50 years ago (.22LR/20 ga) and with a very cheap rimfire scope on board, it would shoot groups like the one above. Even though the trigger was atrocious. I felt that the scope mounted directly to the barrel had something to do with that (a .22 Winchester Pump with scope mounted to the receiver shot better with the iron sights than with the scope - I thought at the time the barrel/receiver interface wasn't all that solid). Maybe the .22 barrel being brazed full length to a shotgun barrel made it very stiff. Whatever the reason, that Savage was a tack driver.

The more I shoot .22s, the more I see that there is so much inconsistency in it that it gets very frustrating trying to secure a supply of good, accurate ammo for a particular purpose.

A few years ago, I gave a sample box of RWS SSHP ammo to a range pal. That ammo had delivered really stellar accuracy in the CZ 453 I was shooting at the time. He got all enthused about it after trying it in his rifle and bought a case. That lot was nowhere near as accurate as the box I gave him, and he was kinda bummed about the cost.

Just a couple weeks ago, I was shooting some SK RM in my CZ MTR and had it zeroed and the zero-stop set. Grabbed another box and the POI shifted about an inch. Checked the lot#s and yup, they were different. Crap! I know suppliers like Killough let you buy some ammo by lot #, but I’m not sure that all that trouble of testing and jumping on a certain batch comes under the heading of “fun”. Seems like I have more control and less aggravation when I load my own CF stuff.

Anyway, with “hunting” ammo like Mini Mags, or plain-grade target ammo like SV, maybe because the expectations aren’t so high, I can just shoot and enjoy it instead of obsessing over group size. Whatever else that can be said about CCI stuff, it generally goes bang.

A lot of good info in this thread from some serious RF shooters. Consistent with my experience, CCI Mini-Mag leads the list for reliability, but mileage may vary when it comes to accuracy. IIRC, some gun companies use it to test guns sent in for repair.

I'm like BSA1917 in that I use mid-level match ammo for club level competition, and the best I can find for the bigger matches like regional or state championships. For shorter ranges and most pistol shooting I haven't found better value than CCI Blazer. My son, who is a very serious and uncompromising shooter, recently tested various ammo in a newly acquired Marlin 39A and found that Blazer was the most accurate, and hands-down the best value.

All of that said, you really have to do careful testing with a particular firearm. All the foregoing is generality.

Added: Inconsistency across lots can drive you crazy. I recall when shooting matches out to 200 yards some 20 years ago certain lots of Federal Lightning shot extremely well. There was a time when Automatch was predictably good. These days I don't have much confidence in any Federal rimfire ammo, but you never really know without serious testing.

I always liked minimags...for a higher velocity round. there hard to beat. I guess roughly out of 2000 rounds i never had a ftf. I get 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch groups out of my kimbers n others.

I like mini mags hps to hunt with. They will hit a squirrel head every time at 50 yards if I do my part.

Both the 40 gr RN and 37 gr hp high vel. have given acceptably good accuracy over the years in 22s I've owned. Some shot the HPs better, some the RNs but there wasn't much difference in either one from one rifle to another. There would be a little difference in POI but they grouped pretty similar in my rifles. The standard velocity 40 gr Target CCI has been more accurate for me overall than the High Vel ammo.

Seems like the CCI High Vel ammo shoot a little cleaner and function more reliably in my semi-autos.

A friend of mine in Virginia that hunts tree squirrels, head shots only, likes the std velocity Target CCIs for that.

The CCI MiniMags 36g HP shoots fantastically in my rifle. It's only bested by CCI Blazers (go figure) and by expensive match grade ammo. By far the best shooting HP I've found as my rifle seems to prefer 40gr LRN bullets as a general rule.

So I expected similar excellent results from the CCI MiniMag 40gr Target bullets. Out of 30 different brands, types, and weights of ammo the CCI MiniMag 40gr Target ammo is the worst shooting ammo I've yet to try. 3.5-4.0" groups at 50 yards (10 shots).

I've been happy with 36gr MiniMags for squirrel.

Oddly ?, Blazer has shot better for me in a couple rifles.

Blazer for general use, SK Match for when I gotta.

CCImmhps are my number one gopher load. They shoot well in all my 22s. I am not much of a paper puncher so match could be more accurate, but poor killers on ground squirrels.

Just tried some CCI mini mag in a new Ruger 22/45. Complete dog manure. Failure to ignite but worse was I could feel inconsistent power levels. I've got Federal bulk ammo that is far better and more reliable.

Used CCI MiniMag's for ground squirrels for years (HP's).

Off the bench with my CZ 452's they shoot;

*CCI MiniMag's approx. 5/8" to 3/4" (at 50 yards).

*While CCI Standard Velocity will do 7/16" to 1/2", again at 50 yards.

Jerry

CCI can be pretty inconsistent, you might want to try some more making sure it's from another lot number. On average MiniMags usually rate very good.

Autos can have other issues, depending on chamber dimensions and how clean they are. My 10/22 CSC gets fussy unless I keep the chamber wiped out. Of course, I never do that until it starts futzing up. Bolt actions are much less trouble.

Lube buildup can soften the firing pin strike, causing “duds” and probably ignition inconsistency. Someone not as lazy as I am could no doubt run a bunch of tests to demonstrate that, but I’ll pass.

I've heard the new manufacture of CCI MM can be hit and miss but haven't had to buy any since before the scamdemic. I did however buy more than a few thousand CCI shorts over the last few years and haven't had a single issue with any of those so I doubt CCI had any lasting quality problem. Probably from one bad lot is all.

Maybe reliable, but not accurate in my world. Old Federal Lightening in my MKII was much better. Blazer in my CZ is the best.

CCI is part of Federal... who's the "new manufacture"? Or are you referring to a new process?

I took his meaning that he was referring to newly manufactured (as in recently made) Mini Mags.

FWIW, I have seen no problems with the latest batches of Mini Mags in my fixed breech guns. They shoot .5 to 1" groups at 50 yards depending on the gun, which is what Mini Mags have done in most of my rifles for the last 45 years .

They are not target grade ammo. Never have been,

Anything less than true match-grade ammo is going to have occasional flyers that will spoil your day if you let it. A reasonable and practical approach for most uses is to go for something that usually does well in your rifle, and accept the flyers if not too frequent. For hunting, the MMHPs have almost always been up to snuff accuracy-wise, so for me they’re a solid pick for that. I don’t use them, except sometimes in pistols, for target work as there are better, often cheaper choices for that, SV often being a reliable favorite.

10 for reliability, 7 for accuracy. Dam fine hunting round