CCI Pistol Match 22 LR 40 Grain LRN

The name Pistol Match is a CCI marketing designation, not a reference to compliance with a specific governing body’s match standard such as those set by the NRA or ISSF. It indicates the load is intended and tuned for pistol use at target distances, rather than certifying it against a published performance threshold. Shooters entering sanctioned bullseye pistol competition should verify whether their specific event rules require ammunition with published lot data or velocity certification before relying on this load for scored competition.

This is a genuine data gap. CCI publishes velocity figures for most of its rimfire lineup, including the Standard Velocity and Mini-Mag lines, but available product listings for the Pistol Match do not include that figure. This may reflect the load’s positioning as a general-practice round rather than a precision product, or it may simply be an omission in the retail product sheet. If confirmed velocity data becomes available from CCI directly, this page will be updated accordingly.

Unjacketed lead projectiles deposit lead residue in the barrel’s rifling more readily than copper-plated or full-metal-jacket bullets. In practical terms, a shooter firing 50–100 rounds will notice minimal difference in accuracy or function. At 200–300 rounds or more in a single session, lead fouling accumulates enough to warrant more thorough cleaning before the next use. Copper-plated 22 LR loads — such as CCI’s own Mini-Mag — reduce this fouling rate, though they typically cost more per round.

Yes, and this is one of the more practical applications for an unjacketed LRN at pistol velocities. Soft lead deforms significantly on contact with a steel plate rather than fragmenting into high-energy particles, which reduces splash-back and lateral ricochet compared to harder-jacketed projectiles at similar velocities. Standard steel target safety distances still apply — most manufacturers recommend a minimum of 10 yards for pistol-caliber rimfire — but the LRN construction is genuinely better suited to steel use than jacketed or harder-alloy bullets at close range.

Both loads use a 40 grain lead round nose projectile from the same manufacturer and are positioned as standard-velocity offerings. The key difference is that the CCI Standard Velocity carries a published muzzle velocity of 1,070 fps and is often available at a lower per-round price. For a shooter whose primary goal is affordable, reliable 22 LR practice ammunition from CCI, the Standard Velocity merits direct comparison before purchasing the Pistol Match — particularly if documented ballistic data matters for the intended application.