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

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