SHOT Show 2019: CCI Expands VNT Rimfire Varmint Ammo Line

by
posted on January 23, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ccivnt_lead.jpg

Last year saw the release of CCI’s .17 HMR load with the Speer VNT bullet; the polymer tip helps to retain velocity at further ranges, and the thin, frangible jacket gives near-explosive performance on game. For 2019, CCI has expanded the line with two new offerings: the .17 Mach 2 and the .22 WMR.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that the .17 Mach 2 probably doesn’t have the biggest following of the rimfire cartridges, but if you’ve ever spent a bit of time with one, you, like me, might have made a new friend quickly. As for the .22 WMR, I don’t think there are many shooters that would deny loving the .22 Mag; it is flat-shooting, hard hitting cartridge, which can flatten a woodchuck or end a coyote’s fawn-eating career.

CCI’s rimfire ammunition has an impeccable reputation; their priming is utterly reliable—there’s nothing more aggravating than that sharp “click” once the trigger breaks—and their diverse line of ammunition has served me well for decades. My dad is a huge fan of the .22 Magnum, and his well-worn (that is as kindly as I can describe that poor rifle) goes with him everywhere, whether ridding the garden of pests or protecting his chickens from predators. He swears by CCI ammo, and is eagerly awaiting delivery of the new CCI VNT offerings. Woodchucks stand no chance.

For the varmint hunter who does most of his or her work within 100 paces, using either one of these rimfire cartridges makes all sorts of sense; they are easy on the ears, as well as on the wallet, yet extremely effective within that range.

The .17 Mach 2 ammo uses a 17-grain VNT bullet at 2010 fps, and the .22 WMR ammo uses a 30-grain VNT at 2200 fps. Both cartridges come in 50-round boxes with an MSRP of $10.95 and $15.95, respectively.

For more information, visit cci-ammunition.com.

Latest

Leupold Binos
Leupold Binos

Review: Leupold BX-3 Alpine HD 12x50mm

Contributor Phil Massaro reviews the Leupold BX-3 Alpine HD 12x50 binocular, which offers a stellar image at an attractive price.

New for 2026: Browning Trail Cameras' Defender Vision Pro LSF

The Defender Vision Pro LSF is Browning Trail Cameras' 2026 livestream cellular trail camera, built for users seeking immediate visibility and real-time awareness from the field. It is designed for both property and game monitoring.

Texas, Hogs and Thermals

Follow along as Brian McCombie indulges in his favorite trio: Texas, hogs and thermals.

New for 2026: Real Avid AR-15/AR-10 Master Collections

Real Avid has taken its AR-15 and AR-10 tooling and maintenance products and bundled them into anew Master Collections series, providing AR-platform fans with one-stop solutions to meet their specific AR needs.

Turkey Decoys All Season Long

Opening day of turkey season was rainy and cold. However, thanks to scouting and trail cameras, Scott Haugen had a plan. Matter of fact, from the first day to the last, Scott has a way to set the decoys to bring the birds in. Curious? Read on for some great strategies.

New for 2026: Hornady .223 WSSM and .243 WSSM Superformance Varmint

Hornady has announced the availability of .223 WSSM 55-grain V-Max and .243 WSSM 75-grain V-Max loads in the Superformance Varmint line.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.