CCI Mini Mag 22LR Ammo For Sale

CCI Mini Mag is the benchmark for reliable high-velocity 22LR. Released decades ago and continuously refined, it sits in the middle of CCI's rimfire catalog – faster than Standard Velocity, slower than Stinger and Velocitor, copper-plated for clean shooting, and built around the kind of consistency that makes it the round most semi-auto 22 shooters reach for when bulk-pack ammo starts choking their rifle. Inside the box you'll find 36gr CPHP (copper-plated hollow point) or 40gr CPRN (copper-plated round nose), both running roughly 1,235 fps from a rifle barrel.

For most 22LR shooters, Mini Mag is the round that "just works." For a smaller group of buyers it's the wrong load entirely – supersonic ammo defeats suppressors, match shooters need tighter velocity tolerances, and ultra-quiet backyard work calls for a different SKU. This page covers what Mini Mag is, the two variants in the lineup, and where it fits among the rest of CCI's 22LR product line.

Mini Mag 36gr CPHP vs 40gr CPRN

Two variants, one product family. The decision usually comes down to host platform and intended use:

• Mini Mag 36gr CPHP (copper-plated hollow point). The most popular variant. The hollow point adds expansion for small game and pest control at typical 22LR distances. Slightly lighter bullet means a hair faster muzzle velocity. The default pick for shooters who want one box that handles plinking, squirrel hunting, and predator dispatch all at once.
• Mini Mag 40gr CPRN (copper-plated round nose). The heavier, smoother-profile variant. The round nose feeds more reliably through some semi-auto rifles and pistols that are sensitive to hollow point bullet geometry – particularly older Ruger 10/22 builds, Browning Buck Mark pistols, and certain Marlin Model 60 setups. Pick the 40gr CPRN if you've had any feeding issues with hollow point 22LR in your gun.

Both run the same copper-plated jacket that reduces lead fouling, both use CCI's well-regarded priming compound, and both will outshoot virtually every bulk-pack 22LR option on the market for consistency. For ammo testing notes across CCI's broader rimfire catalog, see our CCI ammo review.

Why Mini Mag Is the Semi-Auto Default

22LR semi-autos – Ruger 10/22, Marlin Model 60, Browning Buck Mark, Ruger Mark IV, Smith & Wesson Victory – were largely designed and tested around medium-to-high velocity 22LR loads. When shooters run them on the cheapest bulk-pack ammo (Federal Champion, Remington Thunderbolt, Winchester 555 packs), they often see failures to feed, failures to eject, and inconsistent groups caused by bullet-to-bullet velocity variation. Mini Mag's tighter velocity spread, copper plating, and consistent crimp solve the cycling problems that bulk packs create. The Ruger 10/22 + Mini Mag pairing in particular is well known as the canonical "it just works" combination for shooters who want a 22 rifle that runs all day without malfunctions.

Mini Mag in the CCI 22LR Lineup

For the budget end of CCI's 22LR lineup, our CCI Blazer 22LR review covers head-to-head testing against Mini Mag and Federal/Winchester bulk-pack alternatives.

Best Use Cases for Mini Mag

• Semi-auto rifle and pistol plinking. The reliability sweet spot – runs everything from a Ruger 10/22 to a Browning Buck Mark without the failures-to-feed that plague bulk packs.
• Small game hunting. The 36gr CPHP is the standard small-game 22LR load – squirrels, rabbits, raccoons at typical 22 ranges.
• Pest and predator dispatch. Effective on starlings, ground squirrels, and small predators inside 75 yards.
• Introducing new shooters. Reliable cycling means new shooters spend their range time pulling the trigger, not clearing malfunctions.

What Mini Mag Isn't Built For

• Suppressed shooting. Mini Mag is supersonic and produces a sharp sonic crack that defeats most of the noise reduction a 22LR can provides. For suppressed use, CCI Suppressor 45gr or CCI Quiet-22 are the right SKUs.
• Competition match shooting. Mini Mag is plenty accurate for hunting and plinking, but serious match shooters reach for tighter-tolerance match-grade loads (Eley, Lapua, Federal Gold Medal, CCI Standard Velocity for some events).
• Ultra-budget high-volume practice. If you're putting 1,000+ rounds a month through a 22 and don't have semi-auto cycling issues, Federal Champion or Remington bulk packs cost noticeably less per round than Mini Mag.
• Indoor range shooting near neighbors. Mini Mag is meaningfully louder than CCI Standard Velocity or Quiet-22 due to the supersonic projectile. For backyard or basement work, switch to subsonic.

For CCI's full rimfire and centerfire catalog – including the hypervelocity Stinger and Velocitor lines, the subsonic Suppressor and Quiet-22 loads, and CCI's primer and centerfire offerings – see the parent CCI Ammo brand page. For the full 22LR caliber including every manufacturer and grain weight, browse our 22 LR ammo page or stock up via bulk 22 ammo.

Written by

Sam Jacobs