Ammo Reports Team
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Small game hunting, plinking, casual target shooting |
| Bullet Type | Plated Lead Hollow Point |
| Bullet Weight | 36 gr |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Rimfire (integral priming compound) |
| Packaging | 100 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $39.49/box — $0.39/round |
| Closest Competitors | Federal Champion 22 LR 36 gr HP, Remington Golden Bullet 22 LR 36 gr HP, Winchester Super-X 22 LR 37 gr HP |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | — | Not published in provided data |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | — | Not published in provided data |
| Bullet Weight | 36 gr | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | Plated Lead Hollow Point | Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | — | Not published |
| BC G7 | — | Not published |
| Manufacturer SKU | — | Not published in provided data |
| UPC | — | Not published in provided data |
| Reloadable | No | Rimfire — not reloadable |
Note on missing velocity and energy: CCI does not publish muzzle velocity or energy figures in the product data provided for this specific 100-round box listing. CCI’s standard Mini-Mag 36 gr HP (40-round box, SKU 0031) is rated at 1,260 fps from a 24″ barrel on CCI’s own catalog. That figure is not confirmed for this packaging variant and is therefore excluded from the official specs table. If velocity is confirmed from a primary source, this table will be updated. The ballistics table below uses a conservative working estimate clearly labeled as calculated.
Note on BC: CCI does not publish ballistic coefficient data for .22 LR Mini-Mag loads. No G1 or G7 value is available from any confirmed primary source for this load.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature, altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzle velocity for comparison. Working velocity assumption: ~1,260 fps at muzzle from a 24″ test barrel, based on CCI catalog data for the standard Mini-Mag 36 gr HP. Actual velocity from typical 16–18″ rifle barrels or pistol-length barrels will be lower. All values marked ~ to indicate estimation.
Zero: 50 yards | Sight height: 1.5″ above bore
| Yards | ~Velocity (fps) | ~Energy (ft-lbs) | ~Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~1,260 | ~127 | -1.5 |
| 25 | ~1,180 | ~111 | +0.4 |
| 50 | ~1,110 | ~99 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 75 | ~1,055 | ~89 | -1.8 |
| 100 | ~1,010 | ~82 | -5.4 |
| 125 | ~970 | ~75 | -11.0 |
| 150 | ~935 | ~70 | -18.8 |
| 175 | ~905 | ~65 | -28.9 |
| 200 | ~875 | ~61 | -41.6 |
| 225 | ~850 | ~58 | -57.1 |
| 250 | ~825 | ~54 | -75.6 |
Key takeaway: At a 50-yard zero, this load prints reasonably flat out to about 75 yards — the practical ceiling for most small game and squirrel hunting applications. Beyond 100 yards, the subsonic transition and steep drop make precise shot placement increasingly difficult without holdover compensation. The 36-grain hollow point at these velocities carries enough energy for clean kills on squirrel and rabbit within 75 yards but is marginal past that range. Shooters using pistol-length barrels should expect meaningfully lower velocities than the table reflects, which will compress the effective range further.
The Plated Hollow Point Construction
The plated lead hollow point design used in the Mini-Mag line is distinct from both jacketed and bare lead bullets. Electroplating applies a thin copper layer over the lead core, which reduces leading in the barrel compared to unplated lead bullets while keeping manufacturing costs lower than a full copper jacket. The hollow point cavity is engineered to initiate expansion at high velocity rimfire speeds — typically above 1,000 fps at the target — which is why velocity retention matters significantly at extended ranges with this bullet type. At impact velocities that drop below reliable expansion thresholds (roughly 900–950 fps), the hollow point may not expand consistently, effectively functioning more like a flat-nose or round-nose profile. This is a known characteristic of most plated hollow point .22 LR loads, not a defect specific to Mini-Mag.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Squirrel and rabbit hunting inside 75 yards where reliable hollow point expansion is expected
- Casual plinking and informal target shooting where cost-per-round matters
- Semi-automatic .22 LR rifles and pistols where the plated bullet reduces barrel fouling versus bare lead loads
- Shooters who cycle through high round counts and want a cleaner-burning load than standard lead .22 LR options
- Pest control on small animals at close to moderate range
Not the right tool for:
- Precision benchrest or competitive target shooting — this is a hunting/plinking load, not a match-grade round
- Ranges beyond 100 yards where drop becomes severe and expansion reliability drops
- Suppressed firearms where subsonic loads are preferred for sound reduction — this is a high-velocity load
- Jurisdictions with lead ammunition restrictions — the core is lead, and lead-free alternatives should be sourced separately
- Waterfowl or any application requiring non-toxic shot compliance
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source information: CCI states that the Mini-Mag line uses a proprietary rimfire priming compound paired with selected propellants to reduce fouling residue — a claim that aligns with the general reputation this line has built over decades. Open-source user reports across forums and retail review sections consistently note that Mini-Mag ammunition cycles reliably in semi-automatic platforms, including pistols and rifles that can be picky with budget .22 LR loads. Failures to fire are reported as uncommon but not absent, consistent with the statistical reality of rimfire priming versus centerfire. The plated bullet construction is frequently cited as a reason for reduced barrel fouling compared to unplated lead loads. All notes here come from manufacturer claims or open sources, not structured ballistic testing data.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Champion 22 LR 36 gr HP | 36 gr | Plated Lead HP | Not published | 1,260 fps (24″ bbl) | ~$8–$10 / 40 rd | Budget alternative; same weight class |
| Remington Golden Bullet 22 LR 36 gr HP | 36 gr | Plated Lead HP | Not published | 1,280 fps (24″ bbl) | ~$10–$12 / 40 rd | Direct competitor; similar plated HP design |
| Winchester Super-X 22 LR 37 gr HP | 37 gr | Plated Lead HP | Not published | 1,280 fps (24″ bbl) | ~$9–$11 / 40 rd | Slightly heavier bullet; comparable velocity claim |
| CCI Stinger 22 LR 32 gr HP | 32 gr | Plated Lead HP | Not published | 1,640 fps (24″ bbl) | ~$12–$15 / 40 rd | Premium alternative; lighter, significantly faster; same manufacturer |
| Aguila Super Extra 22 LR 38 gr HP | 38 gr | Plated Lead HP | Not published | 1,280 fps (24″ bbl) | ~$7–$9 / 40 rd | Budget alternative; heavier bullet |
| Lapua Center-X 22 LR 40 gr LRN | 40 gr | Lead Round Nose | Not published | 1,073 fps | ~$20–$25 / 50 rd | Premium match load; different use case; not a hunting round |
Note: Per-box prices for competitors are approximate retail estimates for standard packaging. The CCI Mini-Mag 100-round box at $39.49 represents a bulk packaging format; per-round cost comparisons should account for packaging differences.
Price Reality
- At $39.49 per 100-round box, the per-round cost is $0.39/round — this is toward the higher end of standard .22 LR pricing for a non-match load
- For comparison, Federal Champion 36 gr HP in similar bulk packaging typically runs $0.22–$0.28/round at standard retail pricing
- Remington Golden Bullet in bulk packs typically runs $0.20–$0.26/round
- CCI Stinger in 40-round boxes typically runs $0.28–$0.38/round — a premium load at a comparable per-round price point
- A fair price benchmark for this load in a 100-round box is approximately $22–$28 based on historical retail norms; $39.49 represents a significant premium above typical pricing and may reflect supply constraints, market fluctuation, or retailer markup
- Case pricing (500 or 1,000 rounds) is not confirmed from the provided data
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
CCI Mini-Mag High Velocity 22 LR 36 Gr Plated Lead HP (Box)
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
FAQ
Does the plated hollow point in Mini-Mag actually expand at .22 LR velocities?
The plated lead hollow point is designed to expand at the velocities this load generates at close to moderate range. Reliable expansion generally requires impact velocities above approximately 900–950 fps, which this load achieves within about 100 yards from a rifle-length barrel. At longer distances or from shorter pistol barrels where muzzle velocity is already lower, the bullet may not expand consistently upon impact. This is a physics limitation of low-mass, moderate-velocity bullets rather than a quality defect. Hunters should keep shots within ranges where velocity retention is sufficient for reliable expansion.
How does Mini-Mag 36 gr HP compare to CCI Stinger for small game?
The CCI Stinger uses a lighter 32-grain bullet at a significantly higher advertised velocity (1,640 fps vs. approximately 1,260 fps), producing more energy at the muzzle and flatter trajectory over distance. For small game hunting where maximum energy transfer and expansion reliability are priorities, the Stinger offers a meaningful ballistic advantage. The Mini-Mag 36 gr HP is a more economical option that still performs adequately within typical small game distances, but it does not replicate the Stinger’s terminal performance. Both are CCI products sharing similar quality control standards.
Is this load appropriate for use in semi-automatic pistols?
Yes — the plated bullet construction and CCI’s priming compound are specifically noted by the manufacturer as contributing to reliable cycling and reduced fouling in semi-automatic platforms. Mini-Mag is widely regarded in open-source user communities as one of the more reliable .22 LR loads for semi-automatic actions, which can be sensitive to underpowered or heavily fouling ammunition. That said, no .22 LR load guarantees 100% cycling reliability in every firearm, and individual platform compatibility should always be confirmed through testing.
Why is this 100-round box priced higher than some bulk .22 LR options?
The $39.49 price point is above typical retail norms for this load and likely reflects current market conditions, retailer pricing, or supply chain factors rather than a permanent price floor. Historically, CCI Mini-Mag has commanded a modest premium over budget .22 LR options due to its reputation for consistent priming and cleaner burning, but not at this price level. Buyers seeking better value should compare current per-round pricing across multiple sources before purchasing, as this load is widely available and prices fluctuate considerably.
Can this ammunition be used for pest control on larger animals like raccoons or foxes?
The 36-grain hollow point at .22 LR velocities is not recommended for animals larger than squirrel or rabbit. For raccoons, foxes, or similar-sized animals, the energy levels and penetration depth of this load are insufficient for reliable, humane kills — ethical and practical considerations both argue against it. Many jurisdictions also have regulations specifying minimum caliber or energy thresholds for certain pest species. A larger centerfire caliber is the appropriate tool for pest control on medium-sized animals.
