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CCI Uppercut 22 LR 32 Gr JHP

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CCI Uppercut 22 LR 32 Gr JHP

At a Glance

Official Specs

Note on Muzzle Energy: The manufacturer has not published a muzzle energy figure for this load in the available product data. A calculated estimate based on 950 fps and a 32 gr projectile yields approximately 64 ft-lbs (labeled Calculated below). This figure should not be treated as a manufacturer-stated specification.

Note on BC: Neither G1 nor G7 ballistic coefficient values have been published by CCI for the Uppercut 22 LR line. The ballistics table below uses a typical estimated BC for a 32 gr .22 LR JHP projectile. All trajectory figures are calculated estimates only.

Note on SKU/UPC: Retailer listings reviewed at time of writing did not include a confirmed manufacturer SKU or UPC. These fields will be updated when verified data becomes available.

CCI Uppercut 22 LR 32 Gr JHP (Box)

$9.19

$12.69

in stock

Ballistics Table

Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison.

Zeroed at 50 yards. Sight height 1.5" above bore. BC G1 ~0.110 (estimated typical for 32 gr .22 LR JHP). Muzzle velocity: 950 fps.

Key takeaway: At a 950 fps muzzle velocity, the CCI Uppercut 32 gr JHP delivers modest but functional terminal energy within practical rimfire distances. At 50 yards — the natural zero for this type of load — the trajectory is nearly flat, making hold-over intuitive for small game work. Beyond 100 yards, velocity drops below 800 fps and energy falls under 45 ft-lbs, which represents the realistic outer boundary for consistent hollow point expansion on small varmints. Shooters should plan engagements inside 75 yards for the most reliable terminal performance from the jacketed hollow point design.

The CCI Uppercut Bullet Design

The CCI Uppercut line was developed specifically to address a well-documented limitation of conventional .22 LR hollow points: inconsistent or failed expansion at the relatively low velocities the cartridge produces. Standard .22 LR JHP designs often collapse or fail to open at velocities below 1,000 fps, particularly after passing through clothing or light barriers.

CCI’s engineering approach with the Uppercut centers on a skived jacket mouth — a pre-cut, segmented jacket opening that initiates expansion more reliably at lower impact velocities than traditional hollow point profiles. This mechanical assist to expansion is the primary reason the Uppercut exists as a distinct product line rather than a variation of CCI’s existing Mini-Mag or Stinger offerings.

The 32 gr projectile weight is lighter than the standard 36–40 gr loads common in .22 LR, a trade-off that accepts slightly less sectional density in exchange for a bullet geometry optimized for controlled expansion. This makes the Uppercut a purpose-built option rather than a general-purpose round, and it should be evaluated against that specific design intent rather than compared directly to high-velocity plinking ammunition.

Best Uses

Good fit:

• Pest control and small varmint hunting (squirrel, rabbit) inside 75 yards where hollow point expansion is desired
• Rimfire-legal self-defense applications in jurisdictions where centerfire carry is impractical or restricted
• Hunting scenarios requiring a jacketed bullet to reduce lead fouling in semi-automatic rimfire platforms
• Situations where a lighter, faster .22 LR projectile is preferred over heavier standard-velocity loads

Not the right tool for:

• Precision target shooting or competition, where a flat-nose or round-nose lead bullet typically delivers more consistent accuracy
• Ranges beyond 100 yards, where velocity loss makes reliable JHP expansion unlikely
• High-volume plinking — the per-round cost is meaningfully higher than bulk .22 LR options
• Firearms with tight or rough chambers that are sensitive to jacketed bullet dimensions
• Hunters targeting larger varmints such as groundhog or fox, where the 32 gr payload lacks sufficient energy for clean, ethical harvests

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

Based on manufacturer claims and open-source product information, the following constructive notes are available:

• CCI states the Uppercut is designed for reliable feeding in semi-automatic rimfire platforms, with the jacketed construction reducing the lead shaving and fouling that can affect cycling with lead hollow points.
• The skived jacket design is manufacturer-claimed to initiate expansion at velocities consistent with .22 LR performance, though independent ballistic gel testing data was not available in the sources reviewed for this page.
• At 950 fps from a standard rifle barrel, this load falls below the muzzle velocity of CCI’s own Stinger line (~1,640 fps), which means buyers selecting the Uppercut are specifically prioritizing bullet construction over raw velocity.
• Rimfire reliability is inherently dependent on priming consistency; CCI is generally regarded in open-source discussions as producing above-average rimfire priming uniformity, though this is a manufacturer claim rather than independently verified structured data.

Competitors

Note: The Hornady Critical Defense entry is included for context as a premium purpose-built rimfire defensive load, but it is chambered in .22 WMR and is not interchangeable with .22 LR firearms. It is listed to illustrate the premium end of the rimfire terminal-performance market.

Price Reality

• The CCI Uppercut 22 LR 32 gr JHP carries a typical retail price of approximately $11.99 per 50-round box, or roughly $0.24 per round.
• At the time of writing, no case-quantity pricing was confirmed in available data; case pricing (typically 500 or 1,000 rounds) would be updated when verified listings are available.
• This positions the Uppercut meaningfully above bulk .22 LR plinking ammunition, which commonly runs $0.05–$0.09 per round for lead round-nose loads.
• Compared to the CCI Stinger at a similar price point, the Uppercut trades velocity for a purpose-engineered expansion profile — a trade-off that is only worthwhile if terminal performance is the primary selection criterion.
• Compared to Federal Punch 22 LR, pricing is broadly comparable, placing both loads in the same niche of purpose-built rimfire defensive or hunting ammunition.
• A price above $15.00 per 50-round box for this load should be considered elevated relative to historical retail norms; at that price point, buyers should verify they are not paying a scarcity premium when equivalent stock is available elsewhere.

Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.

Where to Buy

CCI Uppercut 22 LR 32 Gr JHP (Box)

The CCI Uppercut 22 LR 32 Gr JHP offers shooters unmatched precision and reliability, featuring a meticulously crafted Jacket Hollow Point bullet that delivers exceptional accuracy at a muzzle velocity of 950 fps. Ideal for target shooting and small game hunting, this ammunition ensures a consistent performance you can trust.

$9.19 at Ammunitiondepot.com

Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.

FAQ

What makes the CCI Uppercut different from standard .22 LR hollow points like the Mini-Mag HP?

The core distinction is the skived jacket mouth on the Uppercut, which features pre-cut segments designed to initiate petal expansion more consistently at the lower impact velocities typical of .22 LR. Standard hollow points — including CCI’s own Mini-Mag HP — rely on hydraulic pressure alone to open the cavity, which can fail at sub-1,000 fps impact velocities or after passing through light barriers. The Uppercut was engineered specifically to address this failure mode. Buyers who have experienced inconsistent expansion from conventional .22 LR JHP loads will find the design rationale of the Uppercut directly relevant to that problem.

Is the CCI Uppercut 32 gr JHP suitable for squirrel or rabbit hunting?

Inside 75 yards, the Uppercut is a reasonable choice for small game where a clean, expanding projectile is preferred over a lead round-nose. The 32 gr JHP carries approximately 54 ft-lbs of energy at 50 yards, which is adequate for squirrel and rabbit-sized animals when shots are well-placed. Beyond 75–100 yards, the velocity drop reduces the likelihood of reliable expansion, and a heavier standard-velocity load may actually deliver more consistent terminal performance at those distances. Hunters should also verify that jacketed ammunition is compatible with their specific rimfire firearm before using it in the field.

How does the Uppercut compare to the Federal Punch 22 LR for self-defense use?

Both loads are purpose-built for terminal performance in rimfire self-defense contexts, and both occupy a similar price tier. The Federal Punch uses a nickel-plated lead hollow point at 29 gr and a higher stated muzzle velocity of approximately 1,070 fps, while the Uppercut offers 32 gr at 950 fps with its skived jacket design. Neither load has been independently verified through structured ballistic gel testing in the data reviewed for this page. The choice between them is largely a matter of platform compatibility and whether the shooter prioritizes slightly higher velocity (Punch) or the specific mechanical expansion assist of the Uppercut’s jacket construction.

Will the CCI Uppercut cycle reliably in semi-automatic .22 LR pistols?

CCI markets the Uppercut as semi-auto compatible, and the jacketed construction is generally more consistent in feeding than lead hollow points, which can deform slightly under magazine spring pressure. However, .22 LR semi-automatic reliability is highly platform-dependent — some pistols are tuned for standard-velocity loads, others for high-velocity, and the 950 fps rating of the Uppercut places it in the lower end of the velocity range that some semi-auto actions require for reliable cycling. Shooters should test a box through their specific firearm before relying on it for any application where function is critical.

Is the 950 fps velocity figure measured from a rifle barrel or a pistol barrel?

The product data reviewed for this page does not specify the test barrel length used to derive the 950 fps muzzle velocity figure. This is a meaningful gap, because .22 LR velocity is highly sensitive to barrel length — a 16" rifle barrel can produce 150–250 fps more than a 4" pistol barrel with the same load. Buyers using the Uppercut in a short-barreled pistol should expect meaningfully lower velocity than the stated figure, which may further reduce the likelihood of consistent hollow point expansion. Until CCI publishes barrel-length-specific data, this specification should be treated as a reference point rather than a guaranteed performance figure across all platforms.

CCI Uppercut 22 LR 32 Gr JHP (Box)

$9.19

$12.69

in stock