The Power and Precision of CCI Stinger .22LR Ammunition: A Comprehensive Guide

For enthusiasts and professionals alike, selecting the right ammunition is paramount to achieving optimal performance, whether for hunting, pest control, or recreational shooting. Among the vast array of rimfire cartridges available, the CCI Stinger .22LR 40 Grain Copper-Plated Segmented Hollow Point Ammunition stands out as a true performer, renowned for its exceptional velocity and devastating terminal ballistics. This detailed guide delves into what makes the CCI Stinger a preferred choice for those who demand more from their .22 Long Rifle rounds.

The CCI Stinger isn't just another .22LR cartridge; it's engineered for specific outcomes, designed to deliver maximum impact and reliable performance in a variety of real-world scenarios. Many users frequently ask, "What's the best .22LR ammunition for small game hunting?" or "Which .22LR round offers the most stopping power for pest control?" The answer often points directly to the CCI Stinger, a testament to its unique design and consistent effectiveness.

Unpacking the Core Specifications: What Makes the CCI Stinger Exceptional?

At the heart of the CCI Stinger's superior performance are its meticulously crafted specifications. Understanding these details provides insight into why this ammunition consistently outperforms many standard .22LR offerings.

• Caliber: .22 Long Rifle (.22LR)
  The .22LR is one of the most widely used and versatile calibers in the world, cherished for its low recoil, affordability, and suitability for various applications, from plinking to small game hunting. The CCI Stinger elevates this venerable cartridge by pushing its performance boundaries, making it a serious contender for situations where enhanced terminal effect is critical. It's compatible with the vast majority of .22LR firearms, including popular rifles and pistols from manufacturers like Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Savage, and many more, making it an accessible upgrade for most rimfire owners.
• Bullet Weight: 40 Grain
  A 40-grain bullet weight is a popular and effective standard for .22LR cartridges, offering a good balance between mass for energy transfer and aerodynamics for a relatively flat trajectory over common rimfire ranges. When coupled with the Stinger's high velocity, this 40-grain projectile delivers a potent combination of speed and mass, enhancing its knockdown power.
• Bullet Style: Copper-plated Segmented Hollow Point (CPSHP)
  This is perhaps the most distinctive feature of the CCI Stinger and a key driver of its terminal performance.
  • Hollow Point (HP): The hollow cavity in the bullet's nose is designed to facilitate expansion upon impact. This expansion increases the bullet's diameter, creating a larger wound channel and transferring more energy to the target.
  • Segmented: What truly sets the Stinger apart is its "segmented" design. Upon impact and expansion, the bullet is engineered to break into multiple pieces (typically three or four segments). This fragmentation significantly enhances energy transfer and creates multiple wound paths, maximizing tissue damage within the target. This characteristic is particularly valuable for small game hunting and pest control, promoting quick and humane incapacitation.
  • Copper Plated: The copper plating serves several important functions. It reduces lead fouling in the barrel, which can improve accuracy and simplify firearm cleaning. It also helps in consistent feeding through semi-automatic firearms and provides a harder surface that can resist deformation before impact, ensuring the hollow point's integrity until it hits the target.
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,050 FPS (Feet Per Second)
  Achieving 1,050 FPS from a .22LR 40-grain bullet is impressive and positions the CCI Stinger firmly in the "high-velocity" or even "hyper-velocity" category for this caliber. Standard .22LR velocities often hover around 1,200 FPS for lighter bullets (32-36gr) or closer to 1,000-1,050 FPS for standard 40-grain offerings. The Stinger's consistent 1,050 FPS ensures a flatter trajectory over typical rimfire distances and delivers energy efficiently to the target. This elevated speed contributes directly to the bullet's destructive potential, allowing the segmented hollow point to perform optimally.
• Muzzle Energy: 98 ft.-lbs. (Foot-Pounds)
  Muzzle energy is a critical indicator of a bullet's power, representing the kinetic energy it possesses as it leaves the barrel. At 98 ft.-lbs., the CCI Stinger delivers substantial energy for a .22LR round. This energy, combined with the segmented hollow point's fragmentation, results in superior terminal performance. For small game and pests, this translates to cleaner, more decisive takedowns, reducing the likelihood of wounded animals. When considering ethical hunting, maximizing energy transfer is a key factor.
• Case Type: Brass
  Brass casings are the industry standard for reliable ammunition due to their excellent malleability, which allows for consistent chambering and extraction. Brass also offers superior sealing in the chamber, preventing gas leaks and contributing to consistent pressures and velocities. The quality of the brass case in CCI ammunition is a testament to its reliability.
• Reloadable: No
  Like most rimfire ammunition, the CCI Stinger is not designed for reloading. Rimfire cartridges have their primer compound spun into the rim of the case, making them impractical and unsafe to reload once fired. This is standard for .22LR ammunition.
• Corrosive: No
  Modern ammunition, including the CCI Stinger, uses non-corrosive primers. This is a significant advantage as corrosive primers, once common, leave residues that can cause rust and damage to firearm components if not meticulously cleaned immediately after shooting. The non-corrosive nature of CCI Stinger ammunition means less intensive cleaning is required after a range session or hunting trip, preserving the longevity of your firearm.
• Rounds: 50
  The CCI Stinger typically comes packaged in boxes of 50 rounds, providing a convenient quantity for a day at the range, a hunting expedition, or stocking up for pest control needs.

Who is the CCI Stinger For? Ideal Use Cases and Common Questions Answered

The CCI Stinger .22LR is a specialized round that excels in particular applications, making it a go-to choice for specific user groups and situations.

For the Hunter: Small Game and Varmint Control

• Small Game Hunting (Squirrels, Rabbits, Grouse):
  "What's the best .22LR for squirrel hunting?" This is a frequent question. The Stinger's high velocity and fragmented expansion are highly effective for small game, ensuring quick, humane kills and minimizing suffering. The segmented design means less chance of over-penetration, which is a consideration in some hunting environments. Its ability to rapidly transfer energy is crucial for ethical harvesting.
• Varmint and Pest Control (Rats, Groundhogs, Raccoons, Opossums):
  "Is CCI Stinger good for groundhogs?" Absolutely. For agricultural areas or homesteads dealing with destructive pests, the CCI Stinger provides superior stopping power compared to standard .22LR rounds. The fragmentation helps dispatch pests quickly and efficiently, preventing them from escaping wounded. For larger varmints like coyotes, while a .22LR is generally considered underpowered, the Stinger offers the maximum terminal effect available in the caliber if it's the only option.
• "How does the segmented hollow point perform on live targets?"
  Upon impact, the bullet rapidly expands and separates into multiple pieces, creating a wider and more disruptive wound channel than a non-fragmenting bullet. This rapid energy dump is key to its effectiveness, particularly on smaller animals where a clean, decisive shot is paramount.

For the Recreational Shooter: Accuracy and Consistency

• While primarily designed for terminal performance, the CCI Stinger offers surprising accuracy for a hunting round. Its consistent velocity and quality manufacturing contribute to tight groupings, making it suitable for target practice or plinking sessions where an emphasis is placed on precision.
• "Is CCI Stinger accurate enough for target shooting?"
  While it's not a dedicated match-grade round, its consistency makes it perfectly viable for general target shooting, especially if you want to practice with the same ammunition you'd use for hunting or pest control.

For Home Defense (Rimfire Considerations)

• While .22LR is generally not recommended as a primary self-defense caliber for various reasons (limited stopping power compared to centerfire, reliability concerns in some firearms), if a .22LR firearm is the only option available for personal protection, the CCI Stinger offers the best possible terminal performance within the rimfire category. Its high velocity and fragmenting design maximize energy transfer, which is crucial for incapacitation.
• "What .22LR is best for self-defense?"
  Among rimfire choices, the CCI Stinger is often cited for its aggressive terminal performance characteristics, making it one of the more capable options if limited to a .22LR. However, it's essential to understand the inherent limitations of the caliber for this role.

Why Choose CCI Stinger? Signals of Topical Authority and Value

Choosing CCI Stinger ammunition is choosing a product backed by a legacy of quality and innovation. CCI has long been a leader in rimfire ammunition, and the Stinger is a prime example of their commitment to pushing performance boundaries.

• Renowned CCI Reliability: CCI ammunition is known for its consistent ignition, reliable feeding, and uniform performance across different lots. This consistency is vital, whether you're in a critical hunting situation or simply enjoying a day at the range.
• "Hyper-Velocity" Performance: The Stinger was one of the first and remains one of the most prominent "hyper-velocity" .22LR rounds on the market. This designation isn't just marketing; it reflects a significant increase in speed and energy compared to standard .22LR ammunition, allowing for flatter trajectories and enhanced terminal effects.
• Engineered for Maximum Effect: The unique segmented hollow point design is not a gimmick. It is carefully engineered to deliver a maximum energy dump and create a substantial wound channel, which is paramount for humane hunting and effective pest control.
• A Trusted Option for Demanding Applications: For years, the CCI Stinger has been a go-to for hunters and shooters who understand the ballistic limitations of a .22LR but seek to maximize its potential. It is frequently recommended by experienced outdoorsmen for its effectiveness.

Key Considerations for Using CCI Stinger Ammunition

While the CCI Stinger offers exceptional performance, a few considerations ensure optimal use:

• Firearm Compatibility: The Stinger's case is slightly longer than a standard .22LR, though still within SAAMI specifications. Most modern .22LR firearms, including rifles and pistols, will feed and cycle it reliably. However, very old or extremely finicky firearms might occasionally present issues, though this is rare. For semi-automatic firearms, the higher velocity often aids in reliable cycling.
• Barrel Twist Rates: Most .22LR barrels have a twist rate optimized for 40-grain bullets, making the Stinger inherently compatible with the vast majority of rimfire firearms.
• Range and Trajectory: The flatter trajectory offered by the higher velocity means less bullet drop over typical rimfire distances (25-75 yards), making it easier to achieve accurate shots without significant holdover adjustments.
• Ammunition Storage: Like all ammunition, CCI Stinger should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations to maintain its integrity and performance over time. Always store ammunition securely to prevent unauthorized access.

The CCI Stinger .22LR 40 Grain Copper-Plated Segmented Hollow Point Ammunition is an exemplary choice for anyone looking to maximize the capabilities of their .22LR firearm. From ensuring quick, humane kills on small game to providing effective pest control, its blend of high velocity and innovative bullet design sets it apart. It addresses the real-world needs of shooters, offering a reliable, powerful, and accurate solution.

For those ready to experience the enhanced performance of CCI Stinger ammunition, it is readily available from reputable firearms and ammunition retailers. A trusted source for this and a wide array of other quality shooting supplies is DEGuns. Exploring their selection ensures you can find the CCI Stinger and other essentials to meet your specific shooting or hunting requirements.

CCI Stinger .22LR Ammunition At a Glance

Feature	Description	Value
Caliber	.22 Long Rifle	.22LR
Bullet Weight	Propels with significant force	40 grain
Bullet Style	Superior energy transfer & wound channel	CPSHP
Muzzle Velocity	Exceptional speed for flat trajectory	1,050 FPS
Muzzle Energy	Potent impact for effective incapacitation	98 ft.-lbs.
Case Type	Durable, reliable feeding and extraction	Brass
Corrosive	Safe for long-term firearm health	No
Rounds Per Box	Convenient quantity for various applications	50
UPC	Universal Product Code for easy identification	076683000743
SKU	Stock Keeping Unit for inventory management	0074