CCI 22 LR Shotshell 31gr No. 12

CCI does not recommend this load for semi-automatic actions, and this limitation is reflected in open-source user feedback. The rigid plastic capsule does not have the same external geometry as a standard 22 LR round, which can cause feeding failures, failure-to-eject issues, or failure to cycle the action reliably. The load is best used in a revolver chambered in 22 LR, a single-shot pistol, or a manually-operated firearm where each round is chambered individually. Using it in a semi-auto is not dangerous per se, but unreliable function should be expected.

Effective pattern density for No. 12 shot from this load is approximately 3–10 feet from the muzzle. The rigid plastic capsule breaks on exit from the barrel, and the tiny No. 12 pellets — each weighing only a fraction of a grain individually — lose velocity and spread rapidly. Beyond 10 feet, pattern gaps become large enough that reliable hits on a target the size of a snake’s head or a mouse are not assured. This load is not suitable for any application requiring consistent performance beyond that distance.

The capsule does not break inside the barrel — it breaks at or just beyond the muzzle. The rifling of a 22 LR barrel contacts the capsule as it travels down the bore, initiating a stress fracture that causes the capsule to open upon exit. This is the intended mechanism. A conventional flexible shot cup in a rifled barrel would spin the shot centrifugally and scatter it too widely for any useful pattern. The rigid capsule design is CCI’s solution to delivering a usable pattern from a rifled rimfire barrel.

At distances under 6 feet, the 31-grain No. 12 shot charge is generally sufficient for dispatching small to medium snakes — including venomous species like copperheads or small rattlesnakes — when aimed at the head. At longer distances or against larger snakes, the pattern may be too sparse and individual pellet energy too low for a clean, humane kill. For larger or thicker-bodied snakes, a 22 LR solid bullet load or a dedicated snake shot load in a larger caliber (such as .38 Special or .44 Special shot loads) would be more reliable. This load is best used at contact to 5-foot range for maximum effectiveness.

CCI states that residue from the plastic capsule can be removed with normal cleaning methods and standard 22 LR cleaning solvents. No special procedures, brushes, or chemical solvents are required beyond a routine bore cleaning. Users who fire multiple rounds in a single session may notice slightly heavier fouling than with standard lead-bullet loads, but no documented evidence of accelerated barrel wear or damage attributable to the capsule material has been identified in open sources. Standard cleaning after use is sufficient.