CCI Mini-Mag has a reputation most rimfire ammo never earns: it fires, it cycles, and it stays consistent. This Target Sports USA exclusive 22LR 40-grain Copper Plated Round Nose (3050CC) load keeps that standard intact with clean-burning powder, reliable ignition, and a 1,235 fps velocity that runs smoothly in both semi-auto rifles and pistols. Whether you’re plinking, training new shooters, or hunting small game, Mini-Mag delivers predictable accuracy and dependable performance shot after shot.
CCI Mini-Mag 22LR 40 Grain Copper Plated Round Nose 3050CC
Notice: Prices shown are accurate at the time of writing and may change without notice. | Skip To Comparison List
Quick Take: CCI Mini-Mag .22LR 40gr (3050CC)
The CCI Mini-Mag .22LR 40 Grain Copper Plated Round Nose (3050CC) is a Target Sports USA exclusive built for shooters who want reliability above everything else. With a high-velocity 1,235 fps profile and a copper-plated RN bullet, this load feeds cleanly, cycles smoothly, and stays consistent in both semi-auto rifles and pistols. Available as a 500-round master box containing ten 50-round cartons or 5,000-round bulk cases, it’s designed for high-volume shooters who want accuracy, dependable ignition, and minimal barrel fouling.
Mini-Mag’s reputation comes from decades of real-world use: it runs in guns that choke on cheap bulk ammo, delivers steady velocities, and ignites reliably thanks to CCI’s quality rimfire priming. Whether you’re hitting steel all afternoon, zeroing a new optic, or taking small game in the field, Mini-Mag is the load people use when they can’t afford misfires or erratic performance.
A Short History of CCI and the Legacy of Mini-Mag
CCI (Cascade Cartridge Inc.) was founded in 1951 in Lewiston, Idaho, by Richard “Dick” Speer, a machinist who saw an opportunity to bring high-quality, American-made ammunition components to a growing shooting market. Early on, CCI built its reputation by producing reliable primers that handloaders trusted, a standard that quickly set the company apart from competitors. As rimfire shooting expanded in the United States, CCI shifted focus to producing .22 LR ammunition with better ignition consistency and cleaner operation than the bulk offerings of the era.
The Mini-Mag line was introduced to meet that need for dependable, higher-performance rimfire ammo. At a time when many .22 LR cartridges suffered from uneven priming and visible manufacturing inconsistencies, Mini-Mag delivered the two qualities shooters wanted most: reliable ignition and predictable velocity. Over the decades, it became a go-to choice for rimfire instructors, hunters, competitors and anyone who needed a cartridge that worked reliably in both bolt-action rifles and semi-automatic platforms.
That reputation still holds today. Mini-Mag is widely considered a benchmark load for testing new .22 LR firearms, since its consistent cycling and clean-burning design provide a clear baseline for performance. With modern manufacturing refinements, CCI continues to produce Mini-Mag using tight quality control standards, copper-plated bullets and dependable primers, all of which reinforce why the line remains one of the most trusted rimfire options on the market.
Inside the 3050CC Mini-Mag Box: How Your Ammo Is
The CCI Mini-Mag 500-round pack is organized as a master carton containing ten individual 50-round boxes. Each smaller box is fully labeled and neatly arranged, making it simple to carry only what you need to the range instead of hauling the entire 500-round case. This internal packaging protects the rounds during shipping, keeps them clean and organized and provides a convenient way to store ammunition on a shelf or in a range bag. Shooters who buy in bulk benefit from the structure because it prevents loose rounds, reduces damage during transport and makes long-term storage more manageable. The same format scales up in the 5,000-round case, which contains multiple 500-round master cartons for high-volume shooters who want organized, ready-to-use packs straight out of the shipping box.
What the Industry Says About CCI Mini-Mag 3050CC (Tests, Reviews, and User Data)
Ballistic overview
This Mini-Mag load pushes a 40-grain copper-plated round nose at about 1,235 fps with roughly 135 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. For .22 LR, that’s a sweet spot: fast enough to cycle semi-autos with authority, but stable and predictable out to typical rimfire distances. The copper plating reduces barrel fouling, keeps velocities consistent across long shooting sessions, and helps maintain accuracy whether you’re plinking or lining up a small-game shot.
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) | Hold (MOA) | Hold (MIL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~1,235 | ~135 | -0.5 | -1.0 | -0.3 |
| Muzzle reference with slight offset below line of sight. | |||||
| 25 | ~1,165 | ~120 | +0.3 | +1.1 | +0.3 |
| Slight rise before settling into 50-yard zero. | |||||
| 50 | ~1,092 | ~106 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Primary zero distance — point of aim equals point of impact. | |||||
| 75 | ~1,045 | ~97 | -1.5 | -1.9 | -0.6 |
| Mild drop but still ideal for small-game ranges. | |||||
| 100 | ~998 | ~88 | -3.5 | -3.3 | -1.0 |
| Noticeable drop; common rimfire reference distance. | |||||
| 150 | ~904 | ~73 | -14 | -8.9 | -2.6 |
| Significant drop — mostly for steel or extended-range fun. | |||||
| 200 | ~810 | ~58 | -40 | -19.1 | -5.6 |
| Very steep drop — specialty or challenge shots only. | |||||
Trajectory is relative to a 50-yard zero. Positive = bullet above line of sight, negative = below.
- Load: CCI Mini-Mag .22 LR, 40gr CPRN, 1,235 fps, ~135 ft-lbs at muzzle
- Ballistic coefficient (G1): ~0.130 (from precision testing)
- Barrel: 16 in rifle (typical test platform)
- Zero: 50 yards
- Values for 0, 50, 100 yards velocity/energy are based on measured data; 25, 75, 150, 200 are modelled/estimated from that data plus typical .22 LR drag behaviour for Mini-Mag-class high-velocity loads.
3050CC in Semi-Autos: Feeding and Cycling Performance
CCI built Mini-Mag for shooters who want a rimfire round that just works. The combination of clean-burning powder, copper plating, and strong rimfire priming creates smooth feeding in rifles and pistols, even in platforms that tend to be picky with cheaper bulk ammo. Semi-autos like the Ruger 10/22, S&W 15-22, Taurus TX22, Glock 44, and countless others tend to run Mini-Mag with fewer failures, steadier ejection patterns, and more consistent grouping.
What the energy numbers mean for small-game hunting vs plinking
At roughly 135 ft-lbs, this load offers enough punch for small-game hunting at practical rimfire ranges while staying controlled and predictable. It isn’t a hyper-velocity “maximum shock” load like CCI Stinger, but it delivers steadier performance and cleaner wound channels, ideal for squirrels, rabbits, and similar targets. For plinking, that same controlled energy means flatter shooting, easier hits out to 50 yards, and a rimfire experience free from the misfires and wide velocity swings common with bargain ammunition.
What Experts Say (Industry Reputation)
Shooters consistently report that when bulk .22 LR ammo falls short, CCI Mini-Mag is the trusted upgrade. Known for its exceptionally low failure rates in both carry-sized platforms and semi-autos, Mini-Mag has earned a reputation as the go-to round when reliability isn’t optional.
Hands-On Performance: What Users Report
CCI Mini-Mag is often referenced by rimfire instructors, gunsmiths and hobby testers as one of the most consistent .22 LR loads in terms of ignition reliability. This comes from CCI’s long history of producing uniform rimfire priming, which has a direct impact on whether a rimfire cartridge fires and cycles smoothly. Testers who evaluate ammunition using chronographs and controlled groups frequently report Mini-Mag producing steady velocities and predictable shot-to-shot behaviour.
“I test every .22 rifle I buy with Mini-Mag first because it sets a baseline. If the gun can’t run it well, the problem is the gun, not the ammo.”
– Olivia Henderson, Colorado
“Mini-Mag gives me consistent results during our weekly matches. It avoids the irregular velocity swings that show up with cheaper ammo.”
– Daniel Morris, Georgia
“After a full afternoon of shooting steel, my rifle ran smoother with Mini-Mag than with the bargain stuff. The barrel stayed cleaner and the groups held up.”
– Aaron Patel, Oregon
A large part of Mini-Mag’s reputation comes from repeatable results across time, firearms and user skill levels. It has become a trusted standard not because of marketing claims but because long-term testing and everyday shooters consistently report three core traits:
Mini-Mag vs Other Popular .22 LR Loads
| Feature | CCI Mini-Mag .22 LR 40gr CPRN | New Republic Training & Range .22 LR 36gr HP | Federal Champion .22 LR 36gr CPHP (745) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Per Round | $0.068 /Rd | $0.052 /Rd | $0.055 /Rd |
| Bullet Weight | 40 grain CPRN | 36 grain Hollow Point | 36 grain Copper Plated Hollow Point |
| Muzzle Velocity | 1,235 fps | 1,260 fps | 1,260 fps |
| Muzzle Energy | 135 ft-lbs | 127 ft-lbs | 127 ft-lbs |
| Bullet Construction | Copper Plated Round Nose | Lead Hollow Point | Copper Plated Hollow Point |
| Intended Use | Plinking, training, small game | High-volume training, plinking, small game and pest control | Target shooting, plinking, small game |
| Feeding Behavior | Known for stable cycling across rifles and pistols | Designed for semi-auto reliability with high velocity | Reliable cycling in rifles and pistols |
| Cleanliness | Low fouling due to copper plating | Clean-burning powder designed for long range sessions | Copper plated to reduce lead fouling |
| Expansion Characteristics | Non-expanding round nose, controlled penetration | Hollow point designed for small-game expansion | CPHP design supports mild expansion |
| Velocity Category | High velocity | High velocity | High velocity |
| Best Fit For | Shooters wanting consistent accuracy and clean operation | High-volume shooters wanting affordable HP performance | Shooters wanting copper plating, bulk value and HP functionality |
| Packaging Options | 500 and 5,000 rounds | 325 or 3,250 rounds | 525-round value pack |
Notice: Prices shown are AMMO+ and accurate at the time of writing and may change without notice.
Buying Notes (Target Sports USA Exclusive)
This Target Sports USA exclusive SKU, 3050CC, is available in both 500 round master cartons consisting of ten 50-round boxes and 5,000 round bulk cases that include ten 500-round master packs, giving shooters flexible options for stocking up. Bulk case purchases offer clear value for frequent range use and help reduce per-round cost for high-volume days. Like all rimfire ammunition, Mini-Mag stores best in a dry, temperature-stable environment to preserve ignition quality, and it benefits from simple range prep such as a light bore check before long sessions. Since .22 LR is a rimfire cartridge, it is not reloadable, and shooters should periodically clean chambers and extractors to ensure smooth cycling during extended use.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 500-round Mini-Mag pack is a master carton that contains ten individual 50-round boxes. Each smaller box includes neatly arranged 22 LR cartridges with standard CCI retail labeling with UPC # :604544667585, which makes them easy to store, transport and load into your range bag. This format keeps the ammunition protected during shipping, prevents loose rounds, and allows shooters to grab a 50-round carton at a time instead of carrying the full 500-round pack.
Yes. Mini-Mag is widely used as a reliability benchmark because its high velocity and consistent priming support smooth feeding and steady cycling in both rifles and handguns. Many shooters test new .22 LR firearms with Mini-Mag to establish a baseline for performance.
Mini-Mag is known for clean operation due to its copper plated bullet and controlled powder blend. The copper plating reduces bore fouling, which helps maintain accuracy during longer shooting sessions and makes post-range cleaning easier.
Yes. The 40 grain CPRN bullet is accurate across common rimfire distances and offers the penetration and stability needed for small-game such as squirrels and rabbits. Shooters wanting expansion-based performance can also pair Mini-Mag with a hollow point alternative.
Mini-Mag uses a 40 grain copper plated round nose bullet that emphasizes consistency and clean operation. New Republic NR750 uses a lighter 36 grain hollow point designed for high-volume training with added expansion for small-game and pest control tasks. Both are high velocity loads with reliable cycling.
Federal Champion 745 features a 36 grain copper plated hollow point and comes in a 525 round value pack. It offers copper plating for reduced lead fouling and mild expansion for small-game use. Mini-Mag focuses on consistent ignition and predictable accuracy with a round nose bullet designed for universal firearm compatibility.
Many shooters choose Mini-Mag for its uniform priming, cleaner shooting characteristics and reliable performance in semi-autos. Bulk ammunition offers a lower cost per round, but Mini-Mag provides more predictable cycling and steadier accuracy, which can reduce malfunctions during extended sessions.
No. .22 Long Rifle is a rimfire cartridge and cannot be reloaded. Spent cases should be properly disposed of after use.
Rimfire pistols typically produce lower velocities than rifles. A Mini-Mag round rated at 1,235 fps from a rifle may run a few hundred feet per second slower from a pistol depending on barrel length. Even with reduced speed, Mini-Mag maintains stable accuracy and reliable cycling.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Ballistics, performance, and safety can vary based on firearm, ammunition, and conditions. Always follow your firearm manufacturer’s recommendations, adhere to local laws and regulations, and practice safe handling at all times. Target Sports USA does not assume liability for misuse of the information provided.
Kailon Kirby is a digital marketer working alongside a dedicated team at Target Sports USA. Equal parts data nerd and creative thinker, he’s passionate about crafting content that actually hits the mark, whether you're a longtime gun owner, weekend range-goer, or just starting to explore the world of ammunition.
He blends SEO smarts with real industry insight to make sure readers find what they’re looking for, and enjoy the journey along the way. When he’s not working on major projects or geeking out over SEO traffic trends, he’s probably researching the next big thing in shooting sports.
- Kailon Kirbyhttps://blog.targetsportsusa.com/author/kailonkirby/
