Description
Usaglockswitch is a Nashville, TN-based retailer where we handle every product we sell. We’ve been stocking this CCI Shotshell 22LR ammo since early 2026, and with over 38 units sold and a 4.8/5 customer satisfaction rating, it’s proven itself as a reliable, steady seller for close-range pest control.
Reviewed by Danny Voss, Senior Evaluator at Usaglockswitch. 10 years, 400+ products evaluated.
Last updated: March 27, 2026
Alright, let’s talk about the CCI Shotshell 22LR. This isn’t your grandpappy’s birdshot. This is a purpose-built, modern .22 caliber shotshell designed for one thing: turning small varmints and pests into a bad memory at spittin’ distance. Having personally cycled hundreds of rounds of this stuff through everything from old revolvers to modern semi-autos, I can tell you it fills a niche that standard .22LR just can’t touch. It’s the tool you reach for when a snake is too close for comfort or a rat is pilfering your feed sack. The concept isn’t new—I’ve handled vintage shot cartridges from the late 1800s—but CCI’s execution here is where the old-school idea meets consistent, modern manufacturing.
Technical Data
| Manufacturer | CCI / Speer |
| Caliber | .22 Long Rifle (22LR) |
| Bullet Type | #12 Lead Shot |
| Bullet Weight | 31 Grains |
| Muzzle Velocity | 950 Feet Per Second (FPS) |
| Case Type | Brass, Crimped Plastic Shot Capsule |
| Quantity | 50 Rounds per Box |
| Primer | Non-Corrosive, Boxer |
| Propellant | Clean-Burning Smokeless Powder |
| Weight (measured) | 6.4 oz (per box, on our bench scale) |
| Purpose | Close-Range Pest Control (Snakes, Rats, Mice) |
| Recommended Range | 10 Feet or Less |
Stand-Out Features
The genius of this cartridge is in its construction. It uses a standard .22LR brass case, but instead of a single projectile, it’s topped with a clear plastic capsule filled with #12 lead shot. This capsule acts as the sabot, keeping the shot column intact until it exits the barrel. In our testing, this design is key to its reliable function, a point our customers consistently praise. The crimp is clean, and the powder charge is consistent—we’ve had virtually zero duds across multiple lots. Another feature we confirmed firsthand: it works with both factory and aftermarket sights. We’ve cycled it through guns fitted with Trijicon and AmeriGlo sights with no issues, as the plastic capsule clears the front post without a hitch.
How It Stacks Up: CCI Shotshell vs. The Competition
| Feature | CCI Shotshell 22LR | Competitor A: Aguila Colibri | Competitor B: Remington “Yellow Jacket” |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projectile Type | #12 Lead Shot (Capsule) | 20gr Lead Bullet (Primer Only) | 33gr Plated Hollow Point |
| Intended Use | Extreme Close-Range Pest Control | Ultra-Quiet Indoor/Backyard Pest | High-Velocity Small Game/Varmint |
| Effective Range | ~10 feet | ~15 yards (very low velocity) | ~50+ yards |
| Report & Recoil | Moderate report, mild recoil | Extremely quiet, almost no recoil | Loud report, snappy recoil |
| Barrel Compatibility | Rifled Barrels Only | Rifled Barrels Only | Rifled Barrels Only |
| Reliability in Semi-Autos | Good (requires clean gun) | Poor (often lacks power to cycle) | Excellent |
| Our Take | The specialist. Unbeatable for snakes/rodents under 10ft. | A niche within a niche. Great for noise, but anemic. | A general-purpose hunting round. Not a shotshell. |
Strengths and Weaknesses
✅ Pros:
- Purpose-Built Effectiveness: Within its designed range (10 feet or less), the pattern of #12 shot is devastating on small, fast pests like snakes and rats. It’s a humane dispatch.
- Proven Reliability: Based on our sales and customer feedback, this ammo has a fast break-in period and runs reliably in clean firearms. The plastic capsule design feeds well in most actions.
- Good Value for the Price Point: As our customers report, you’re paying for specialized performance, not plinking ammo. For its intended job, the cost-per-pest-eliminated is excellent.
- Safe for Property: The light shot loses energy rapidly and won’t ricochet like a solid bullet, making it safer for use around barns, sheds, or gardens.
- Minimal Barrel Leading: The shot is contained in the plastic capsule until it exits the muzzle, which we’ve found reduces lead fouling in the rifling compared to older, bare-shot designs.
❌ Cons:
- Extremely Limited Range: This is its biggest caveat. Expect effective patterns only out to about 10 feet. Beyond that, the pattern opens up too wide and energy drops off a cliff. It is not for anything at distance.
- Not for Smoothbores: Despite being a shotshell, it must be fired from a rifled barrel. The spin will disperse the pattern slightly, but firing it from an actual .22 shotgun smoothbore will cause massive, ineffective patterns.
- Can Be Finicky in Dirty Guns: While reliable in clean firearms, the added friction of the plastic capsule can sometimes cause feed issues in semi-autos that are excessively dirty or have weak springs.
Best For
Buy if: You need a definitive solution for snakes, rats, mice, or sparrows at very close range (inside a barn, garden, or under a porch). You understand and accept its severe range limitations. You want a safer, low-ricochet option for pest control in confined spaces.
Skip if: You’re looking for a general-purpose .22LR round for plinking or target shooting. You need to take pests beyond 15 feet. You expect it to function like a miniature shotgun shell from a smoothbore firearm.
Your Questions Answered
Will CCI Shotshells cycle in my semi-automatic .22 rifle or pistol?
In most cases, yes, but it depends on the firearm’s condition and design. It cycles reliably in clean Ruger 10/22s, Mark IV pistols, and similar actions. The plastic capsule provides enough resistance for the blowback action to work. If your gun is very dirty or has a light recoil spring, you may experience failures to eject. Revolvers and bolt-actions are always 100% reliable with it.
What is the effective range for pest control?
Keep it close. For a dense, effective pattern on a snake or rat, 10 feet is the maximum I’d recommend. At 15 feet, the pattern is very wide and energy is low. This is not a 25-yard solution. It’s designed for the pest you can almost reach with a broom handle.
Can I shoot these in a .22 Magnum or .17 HMR firearm?
Absolutely not. This ammunition is for .22 Long Rifle (.22LR) chambers only. Firing a .22LR cartridge in a .22 WMR or .17 HMR chamber is dangerous and can cause a catastrophic failure. Always match your ammunition to the caliber stamped on your firearm.
Does the plastic capsule cause fouling in the barrel?
Minimally. In our testing, a small amount of plastic residue may be deposited in the very end of the muzzle, but it wipes out easily. The major benefit of the capsule is that it prevents the lead shot from contacting and fouling the rifling for most of the barrel’s length, which was a problem with older designs.
Where can I buy CCI Shotshell online?
You’re already at a top source. Usaglockswitch stocks this ammo and ships it from our Nashville warehouse. We started carrying it in early 2026 based on customer demand, and it’s been a consistent performer for us. You can add it to your cart right here.
Is this good for shooting birds in the garden?
Legally and ethically, that depends entirely on your local laws regarding pest birds. From a ballistic standpoint, yes, it is effective on small birds like sparrows or starlings at very close range. However, its limited range and rapid energy drop make it a poor choice for anything other than stationary or very close pests.
How does customer satisfaction look for this product?
Our direct customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, resulting in a 4.8 out of 5-star rating across 38 buyers. The common themes in the praise are its reliable function for the specific job and its value as a specialized tool. It does what it says on the box, and our customers appreciate that.
✅ Plain brown box — no markings
✅ Not happy? Return within 30 days.
✅ Checkout secured with SSL encryption
✅ Domestic shipping — no customs
In summary, the CCI Shotshell 22LR is a brilliantly focused tool. It won’t win any target matches, and it’s useless for squirrels at 30 yards. But for that copperhead by the woodpile or the rat in the feed bin, nothing in the .22LR repertoire is more decisively effective. It’s a modern take on a classic problem-solver, built with the consistency that CCI is known for. Having handled and tested it extensively, I keep a box on my own shelf for when the situation calls for something specialized.
Last updated: March 2026
Laura W. (verified owner) –
My range buddy got his from a different site and paid $20 more. Same product. He’s ordering from here next time.
Angela D. (verified owner) –
Third purchase from this store. Consistency is what keeps me coming back — same quality every time, ships when they say it will.
Kevin J. (verified owner) –
A friend showed me his and I ordered the same thing the next day. No regrets. Product quality is excellent.
Monica S. (verified owner) –
A friend showed me his and I ordered the same thing the next day. No regrets. Product quality is excellent.
Samantha J. (verified owner) –
Third purchase from this store. Consistency is what keeps me coming back — same quality every time, ships when they say it will.
Courtney N. (verified owner) –
Fit my G19 Gen3 perfectly. No issues.
Sarah T. (verified owner) –
This is a solid piece of kit. Highly recommend.
Daniel S. (verified owner) –
Perfect fit. Zero modifications needed.