CCI
If it has been a while since you bought your first gun and began studying the ammo market, you’ve probably heard about CCI Ammunition. You are even more likely to have come across this name if you own a .22 LR since CCI is one of the leading manufacturers of rimfire ammo. Based in Lewiston, Idaho CCI Ammunition has been in the business since 1951. The company’s founder, Richard Speer, was inspired by his brother’s success in the component bullet business and decided to try his own luck. At the time, many proprietary rifle cartridge designs were not supported by big ammo manufacturers. This was a small but active niche to fill. Thus Spear began producing cases for ammo like the Weatherby and Newton using the impact extrusion process.
Even though the case-making process was well functioning, the lack of quality raw materials compelled Spear to consider a different path. The shortage of component primers for reloaders determined the direction the company took. Thanks to CCI, primers for pistol and rifle ammo were in steady supply within a few years. Today, the company's product line is more inclusive: CCI manufactures rimfire and centerfire handgun ammunition, good-old primers, and industrial powder loads. CCI is also the biggest manufacturer of snake-shot ammo.
The company’s forte and signature product, rimfire ammunition comes in several designs and even calibers. CCI .22 LR ammo is by far the most popular variety, but the company also produces ammunition for .17 HMR, .22 Short, and some other rimfire calibers. The brand also has an aluminum-cased line of ammunition called CCI Blazer ammo.
Among the brand-produced centerfire ammunition, you can find projectiles for all the major handgun calibers. Gritr Sports can offer CCI 9mm, .38 Special, .40 S&W, and .45 Auto.
CCI pest control shotshells are another popular product sought after by those on guard of their gardens and barns. CCI rimfire ammunition and nearly all of its centerfire snake-shot cartridges use a hollow plastic capsule that shatters during firing and allows the shot to disperse after it exits the muzzle. Pest control shotshells come in all calibers the brand makes ammo for, both rimfire and centerfire.