CCI - FAQs

Q: What does CCI stand for?
A: First and foremost, it stand for quality primers, centerfire, and rimfire ammunition, with the broadest selection for the rimfire shooter. Oh, you mean the initials? That is the name that Dick Speer and Arvid Nelson gave to their company, "Cascade Cartridge, Inc." in the early 1950's.

Q: I'm having trouble finding a dealer for CCI products.
A: Go to the "Dealer Locator" link of this web site; it will point you to Outfitter Dealers in your area that handle our products.

PRIMERS

Q: I have CCI Large Pistol primers. Can I use them instead of Large Rifle primers that I need to load for my rifle loading?
A: This is not advisable. Large pistol primers have less priming compound, and are shorter than Large Rifle primers. Misfires and under-ignition are very likely.

Q: Do you make oversized primers? After one firing, my primer pockets are too big to retain a regular primer.
A: STOP!!! The problem you described indicates GROSSLY EXCESSIVE pressures. You have deformed the case head, something that takes pressures in the 75,000 to 85,000 psi range. Don't shoot any more of that ammo!

Q: What are CCI No. 34 and NO. 41 primers?
A: They are special rifle primers made to military sensitivity specs. They are one method to reduce the occurrence of slam-fires in gas-operated, military semi-auto rifles. See the Speer Reloading Manual for more details. No. 34 and No. 41 primers are MAGNUM primers.

Q: What is the recommended seating depth for CCI primers?
A: We recommend that, for maximum sensitivity, primers be seated .003 to .005 inches below the case head.

Q: Are CCI primers corrosive?
A: Absolutely not. All CCI commercial primers are non-mercuric and non-corrosive.

Q: I have some shotshells that are supposed to use a "57" primer. Is this different from a 209 primer?
A: Yes. 57-size primers are smaller than current 209 primers, and only fit certain old Remington and Peters cases. CCI used to make a 157 primer for these cases but, as these cases became rare, we discontinued them due to the declining market for them.

Q: I have some really old 38 Special cases that have large pistol primer pockets. What load adjustment should I use?
A: We recommend that you not use these cases at all. Their great age (most were made in the 1930's) increases the chance of a case failure, regardless of any load adjustment you make. Today, 38 Special cases are so cheap that it is a case of false economy to reload these cases. Get new ones with the standard small pistol primer pockets.

Q: What's the difference between a "standard" primer and a "magnum" primer?
A: A magnum primer provides a longer flame duration, a higher flame temperature, or both. In some primers (the CCI small pistol primers, for example) the magnum primer may have a thicker cup to better handle higher pressures. Use magnum primers only where recommended in published load data. Substituting a magnum primer for a standard one without a charge adjustment will nearly always increase pressures. We use Magnum primers in data development with many ball propellants, and with very large-capacity cases. They are also a plus when you are shooting in temperatures below 20 degrees F.

Q: You used to make a CCI 109 shotshell primer. I have load data calling for a 109, but can get only 209s. What is the difference, and can I use the data.
A: The 109 was superceded by the 209, which uses different cups and anvils for improved sensitivity. However, the primers are ballistically the same. You may safely use CCI 209 primers with any load calling for CCI 109s.

RIMFIRE:

Q: I bought a box of 22 LR Stinger ammunition and want to hunt coyotes out to 300 yards. How high will I need to hold to be "dead-on" at 300 yds?
A: Rimfire varmint loads are not 300 yard "coyote killers." Unless your scope is different than mine (sighted-in at 100 yds), the coyote will not be visible in the scope when you hold high enough to hit it. A hit at that range will likely only wound. Know the limitations of the ammo and your rifle.

Q: I just purchased a box of your part number 0069 and it says 22 WRF. Is not the same as the 22 Magnum I usually shoot, is this a "short" 22 Magnum?
A: The 22 WRF is a unique cartridge. It was made a century ago for the Winchester model 1890 and some others. Shoot those cartridges only in guns so marked. 22 WRF and 22 WMR are different cartridges with different bullet diameters. While we are on that topic, we advise against the use of the jacketed CCI 22 WRF ammo in revolvers marked for that caliber, as we have found such revolvers have bore diameters well under the 0.226" bullet diameter standard for WRF.

Q: I purchased an after-market barrel for my rifle and it says on the barrel "ejecting an unfired round may leave a bullet in the barrel," or words to that effect. Why is that warning on the barrel?
A: Many of the after-market barrels use a "match chamber" to enhance accuracy. When the cartridge is fed into a match chamber, it will "pre-engrave" the bullet into the rifling. When you attempt to remove the unfired cartridge, the bullet may stay wedged in the rifling and only the unfired case will be withdrawn from the gun, spilling powder in the action. This is a greater issue with semi-autos than bolt action rifles. The semi-auto's bolt spring may not have enough power to completely seat the cartridge in match chambers.

Q: I've used Stinger's on tree squirrels and it tears them up so bad they aren't fit to eat. I have a suggestion: reduce the velocity of the Stinger, so I can put some squirrel meat in the pot that is fit to eat.
A: We've already done that. Look at this web site and bear in mind that the higher the velocity, the more meat damage you can expect. Try our Sub-Sonic HP (part number 0056) or the Small Game Bullet (0058) for your squirrel hunting. Show it to your friends, and tell them "....that was my idea, ya know".

Q: I saw these cartridges called 22 Short CB's and 22 Long CB's. My rifle says it will shoot S,L and LR. It doesn't say anything about CB, can I shoot them?
A: Yes, you can shoot CB Shorts or Longs in your pistol/rifle. These are a reduced velocity load at about 710 feet per sec. They are designed for both low velocity and low noise. While they have proved to be very accurate, they will usually not function a semi-auto gun. You may need to single-load CBs in some firearms.

Q: The 22 LR Stinger case is longer that a regular 22 LR. Why?
A: To get high velocity, we use a lighter and shorter bullet in Stinger. For proper feeding, a 22 LR cartridge must be close to one inch long. We stretched the Stinger case to compensate for the shorter bullet and keep the total cartridge length within industry specs.

Q: I want to use CCI 22 LR shotshells for short-range pest control. Will the pellets damage the barrel?
A: Absolutely not. The lead pellets and plastic shot capsule are much softer than the poorest grade steel and will not hurt your barrel. However, some leading may occurring in rough bores. Normal cleaning will remove any lead fouling.

Q: I'm having accuracy problems with my rimfire rifle. Where can I go to get information on accuracy problems?
A: In the "Education" section of this web site is a series of articles called "Tips for Rimfire Success." One is on accuracy testing and troubleshooting.

CENTERFIRE

Q: Can I shoot 40 S&W ammo in my 10mm pistol? The case is identical except for length.
A: No. Both headspace on the case mouth. The shorter 40 S&W will not be properly supported in the 10mm chamber, so headspace control is lost. You'll get misfires, blown primers, deformed cases and, potentially, gas jetting from the action. Always use the correct ammunition for your firearm. Don't cut corners!

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