Optimize Your Rimfire Performance: Unlocking the Full Potential of the Savage A22 with CCI Maxi-Mag .22 WMR Ammunition

Are you searching for the ideal ammunition to maximize the performance of your Savage A22 rifle? Do you need reliable, high-velocity rimfire rounds for effective small game hunting, varmint control, or precise target shooting? Look no further than CCI Maxi-Mag .22 WMR 35 Grain Game Point Ammunition. Specifically engineered and optimized for semi-automatic firearms like the acclaimed Savage A22 series, this ammunition delivers a consistent, powerful, and accurate shooting experience that addresses the common challenges faced by rimfire enthusiasts and hunters alike.

This comprehensive guide delves into why CCI Maxi-Mag stands out as a premier choice for .22 WMR firearms, exploring its unique design, performance characteristics, and practical applications. Whether you're a seasoned hunter seeking dependable terminal effects or a sport shooter demanding consistent cycling and accuracy, understanding the nuances of this ammunition will help you make an informed decision and elevate your shooting endeavors.

Why Choose CCI Maxi-Mag 35 Grain Game Point for Your Savage A22 Rifle?

The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22 WMR or .22 Magnum) cartridge is renowned for bridging the gap between traditional .22 Long Rifle and smaller centerfire cartridges, offering increased velocity, energy, and range. However, semi-automatic rifles chambered in .22 WMR, such as the popular Savage A22, require ammunition that cycles reliably without compromising on performance. This is precisely where CCI Maxi-Mag 35 Grain Game Point excels, having been meticulously designed with the A22's operational mechanics in mind.

What problems does this ammunition solve for shooters?

• Reliable Cycling in Semi-Autos: Many semi-automatic rimfire rifles can be finicky with ammunition. CCI Maxi-Mag's consistent brass casings and precise manufacturing tolerances ensure smooth feeding, extraction, and ejection, minimizing malfunctions and maximizing your shooting time.
• Effective Terminal Performance: For hunters, an ethical and humane take is paramount. The 35 grain Game Point bullet, with its specialized lead-filled hollow point, is engineered for reliable expansion upon impact, transferring maximum energy to the target for quick, humane dispatch of small game and varmints.
• Enhanced Accuracy: Consistent bullet weight, uniform propellant charges, and high-quality brass contribute to exceptional shot-to-shot consistency, leading to tighter groups on the range and greater confidence in the field.
• High Velocity and Flat Trajectory: With a blistering muzzle velocity of 2100 feet per second (FPS), these rounds offer a flatter trajectory than slower rimfire options, simplifying aiming at varying distances and reducing the need for significant holdovers.
• Versatility for Various Applications: While optimized for the Savage A22, this ammunition's robust design makes it suitable for a wide array of .22 WMR bolt-action, lever-action, and single-shot firearms as well, making it a highly versatile choice for diverse shooting needs.

Understanding the Key Features of CCI Maxi-Mag .22 WMR 35 Grain Game Point

Let's dive deeper into the specific attributes that make this ammunition a standout choice:

• Caliber: .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire)
  • The .22 WMR cartridge itself is a powerhouse in the rimfire world. Developed in 1959, it quickly gained popularity for its superior ballistics compared to the ubiquitous .22 LR. It boasts a larger case capacity, allowing for more propellant and higher velocities, which translates directly to increased range and striking power. This makes it ideal for applications where the .22 LR might be underpowered, such as hunting larger small game or varmints at extended distances.
• Bullet Weight: 35 Grain
  • The 35-grain bullet weight strikes an excellent balance for the .22 WMR cartridge. It's light enough to achieve impressive velocities and a flat trajectory, yet heavy enough to carry sufficient kinetic energy for effective terminal performance on appropriate game. This specific weight is often favored for varmint hunting due to its blend of speed and impact energy.
• Bullet Type: Game Point Soft Point with Lead-Filled Hollow Point
  • This is a critical design feature. A "Game Point Soft Point" generally refers to a bullet with an exposed lead tip, designed for controlled expansion. The addition of a "lead-filled hollow point" further refines this. Unlike a traditional hollow point which might fragment or expand too rapidly, the lead-filled design often aims for more controlled, robust expansion without excessive fragmentation, ensuring deeper penetration and more effective energy transfer within the target. This unique construction is key to its "reliable terminal effects."
• Casing Type: Brass
  • Brass casings are the gold standard for ammunition due to their excellent ductility, strength, and reloadability (though not typically applicable for rimfire). For factory ammunition, high-quality brass ensures consistent chambering, reliable sealing of propellant gases, and smooth ejection. CCI's reputation for quality brass casings contributes directly to the reliability and consistency of these rounds.
• Muzzle Velocity: 2100 FPS (Feet Per Second)
  • This is an impressive velocity for a rimfire cartridge. To put it in perspective, many .22 LR loads hover around 1200-1400 FPS. The 2100 FPS of the CCI Maxi-Mag results in a significantly flatter trajectory, meaning less bullet drop over distance. This is invaluable for accurate shot placement on small, often fast-moving targets, or when engaging targets at varying ranges without constant sight adjustments.
• Muzzle Energy: 342 Foot-pounds (Ft-Lbs)
  • Muzzle energy is a direct measure of the bullet's kinetic energy upon leaving the barrel. 342 ft-lbs is substantial for a rimfire round and is indicative of its stopping power. This energy is efficiently transferred to the target thanks to the specialized Game Point bullet, leading to swift, humane kills on appropriate game animals.
• Rounds Per Box: 200
  • This generous box count provides ample ammunition for multiple hunting trips, extensive target practice sessions, or sustained varmint control efforts without the need for frequent re-stocking. It offers excellent value and convenience for active shooters.

Real-World Applications and Use Cases for CCI Maxi-Mag 35 Grain Game Point

This ammunition shines in several practical scenarios, especially when paired with a reliable platform like the Savage A22:

• Small Game Hunting:
  • Squirrels & Rabbits: The 35-grain Game Point delivers more than enough energy for a clean kill on these common small game animals. Its flat trajectory aids in precise headshots, preserving meat.
  • Grouse & Other Game Birds: For ethical hunting, precise shot placement is crucial. The speed and accuracy of this round make it suitable for birds where legal and appropriate for the terrain.
• Varmint Control and Pest Management:
  • Coyotes & Foxes (at close to moderate ranges): While not a primary coyote round for all situations, for close-range engagements or opportunistic shots, the .22 WMR with this bullet type can be effective. Hunters should understand the ethical limits of the cartridge on larger varmints.
  • Prairie Dogs, Groundhogs & Marmots: The high velocity and flat trajectory are excellent for these open-country pests, allowing for accurate shots at distances where .22 LR would struggle.
  • Raccoons, Skunks & Opossums: For nuisance animal control, the reliable terminal effects ensure quick dispatch.
• Target Shooting & Plinking:
  • While primarily a hunting round, its consistent performance and high velocity make it excellent for practicing shot placement and understanding your rifle's capabilities at extended rimfire ranges. The generous box count also supports extended range sessions.
• Homestead & Farm Defense:
  • For controlling smaller predators or pests around agricultural areas, the .22 WMR offers a low-recoil, relatively quiet, yet effective solution.

Optimized for the Savage A22: A Perfect Partnership

The explicit optimization for Savage A22 rifles is a significant advantage. Semi-automatic rimfire rifles, by nature, can be sensitive to ammunition consistency due to their blowback operating systems. If the ammunition is underpowered, it may not cycle the action completely, leading to "short stroking" and failures to eject or feed. If it's too powerful or inconsistent, it can cause excessive wear or reliability issues.

CCI, a leader in rimfire ammunition, has fine-tuned this Maxi-Mag load to ensure that it provides the optimal impulse for the Savage A22's action, resulting in:

• Consistent Cycling: Fewer jams, misfeeds, and stovepipes, meaning more time shooting and less time clearing malfunctions.
• Enhanced Accuracy: The specific velocity and bullet weight are often found to stabilize well in the A22's barrel twist rate, promoting inherent accuracy.
• Reduced Wear: Ammunition that is precisely matched to the firearm's operating system contributes to the rifle's longevity.

This synergy means that when you load CCI Maxi-Mag 35 Grain Game Point into your Savage A22, you're not just using "any" .22 WMR ammo; you're using ammunition designed to bring out the best in your firearm.

Trust and Reliability: The CCI Legacy

CCI (Cascade Cartridge, Inc.) has been a trusted name in ammunition for decades, known for its consistent quality, innovative designs, and reliable performance across various shooting disciplines. Their commitment to precision manufacturing and rigorous quality control processes ensures that every round of Maxi-Mag .22 WMR meets high standards. When choosing CCI, you're investing in:

• Manufacturing Excellence: State-of-the-art production facilities and meticulous attention to detail.
• Consistent Performance: Dependable primer ignition, uniform propellant charges, and precisely engineered bullets contribute to shot-to-shot consistency.
• Innovation: CCI continually researches and develops new bullet designs and loads to meet the evolving needs of shooters and hunters.

This reputation for quality translates directly into the field and on the range, providing shooters with the confidence that their ammunition will perform when it matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions About .22 WMR Ammunition and the Savage A22

Q: What is the primary difference between .22 LR and .22 WMR ammunition?
A: The .22 WMR is a larger, more powerful cartridge than the .22 LR. It has a longer case, a larger diameter bullet (though still .22 caliber), and contains more propellant. This results in significantly higher muzzle velocities (often 500-1000 FPS faster) and muzzle energy, leading to a flatter trajectory, increased effective range, and greater stopping power suitable for larger small game and varmints.

Q: Can I use .22 WMR ammunition in a .22 LR rifle or vice versa?
A: No, absolutely not. Despite both being .22 caliber, the cartridges are dimensionally different and are not interchangeable. Attempting to fire the wrong ammunition can result in severe damage to the firearm and serious injury to the shooter. Always ensure you are using the correct ammunition for your specific firearm.

Q: Is 35 grain a good bullet weight for hunting with .22 WMR?
A: Yes, the 35-grain bullet weight is highly regarded for .22 WMR hunting, particularly for varmints and small game. It offers an excellent balance of high velocity for a flat trajectory and sufficient bullet mass for effective energy transfer upon impact. The Game Point design further enhances its terminal performance.

Q: What types of animals are appropriate to hunt with .22 WMR and this 35-grain Game Point?
A: The .22 WMR is excellent for small game like squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs, and marmots. It's also highly effective for various varmints such as prairie dogs, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. For larger varmints like coyotes, it can be effective at closer ranges, but shot placement is crucial, and hunters should understand the ethical limits of the cartridge.

Q: How does the "Game Point Soft Point with Lead-Filled Hollow Point" differ from a standard hollow point?
A: A standard hollow point relies on the hollow cavity to initiate expansion. A "Game Point Soft Point" generally has an exposed lead tip designed for reliable upset. The "lead-filled hollow point" in this CCI design suggests a specialized construction that aims for more controlled, robust expansion compared to a simple hollow point, potentially offering better penetration before full expansion, leading to more consistent terminal effects. It's engineered to mushroom effectively within the target.

Q: Where can I purchase this specific CCI Maxi-Mag .22 WMR ammunition?
A: This high-performance CCI Maxi-Mag .22 WMR 35 Grain Game Point Ammunition is readily available for purchase at DEGuns, a trusted online retailer known for its wide selection of firearms and ammunition. Visit deguns.com to secure your supply and enhance your shooting experience.

By choosing CCI Maxi-Mag 35 Grain Game Point ammunition, especially for your Savage A22, you're not just buying bullets; you're investing in reliable performance, ethical hunting, and consistent accuracy that will enhance every moment spent in the field or on the range.

Product Specifications Overview

This table summarizes the core specifications of the CCI Maxi-Mag .22 WMR 35 Grain Game Point Ammunition, providing a quick reference for its key characteristics.

Feature	Description	Value
Caliber	Winchester Magnum Rimfire	.22 WMR
Bullet Weight	Optimal for velocity and terminal effects	35 Grain
Bullet Type	Designed for reliable expansion and energy transfer	Game Point
Casing Material	Ensures consistent feeding and reliability	Brass
Muzzle Velocity	High speed for flat trajectory	2100 FPS
Muzzle Energy	Kinetic energy for effective stopping power	342 Ft-Lbs
Rounds Per Box	Ample supply for extended use	200
UPC	Universal Product Code for identification	604544618860