Description
If you deal with small pests around your property, there's a good reason CCI shotshells have become standard in barns, garages, and around homes. These aren't your standard .22 rounds. Instead of a single bullet, each shell contains 31 grains of fine #12 shot that patterns tight enough to actually hit a moving target, yet stays safe in close quarters where overpenetration would be a problem.
CCI 22 LR Shotshell Pattern and Range
At close range (under 15 feet), the pellet spread is tight and effective. Most people find the sweet spot is around 5 to 10 feet, where the pattern is dense enough for quick, clean kills on snakes, rats, mice, and other small nuisances. The payload doesn't have the energy of a traditional shotgun, which is exactly the point when you're shooting near buildings, around livestock, or in tight spaces where you don't want rounds going through walls. The low recoil and minimal noise also make these practical for areas where you need to stay quiet or where traditional ammunition would risk damaging property.
Real-World Performance of This 31gr Load
The plastic capsule that holds the shot is engineered to break apart when it hits the rifling, creating a consistent spread without damaging your barrel. The aluminum casing is durable and reliable, and CCI's rimfire priming ensures consistent ignition even in varying conditions. Users report the pellet spread is excellent for small targets, with patterns staying contained in pie-tin widths at working distances. Clean-burning propellants help reduce buildup in your action, which is a nice bonus if you're running these regularly.
Not for Everything, But Perfect for What It's Made For
These won't cycle in semi-automatic firearms reliably, so stick with bolt-action rifles, lever-actions, or revolvers. They're not designed for reloading either. The round's entire purpose is close-range pest work where a spread of shot beats a single bullet. If you're dealing with rats in a barn, snakes around the property, or other small pests that are hard to hit with a rifle round, this is the kind of load that solves the problem cleanly without the complications of larger calibers.
Key Specifications
- Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
- Shot Size: #12
- Payload Weight: 31 grains
- Muzzle Velocity: 1000 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 69 ft-lbs
- Rounds Per Box: 20
- Case Material: Aluminum
- Primer Type: Rimfire
- Shot Payload: Approximately 1/15 oz
- Manufacturer: CCI Ammunition
- Manufacturer Part Number: 0039
- UPC: 076683000392
What’s Included
- 20 rounds of CCI 22 LR #12 shotshell ammunition
- Reusable plastic box with dispenser lid
Frequently Asked Questions
Will CCI 22 LR shotshells work in my semi-automatic .22 rifle?
These shotshells don't have enough energy to reliably cycle semi-automatic actions, so you'll need to manually cycle the firearm between shots. They work best in bolt-action rifles, lever-actions, and revolvers. If you're using a semi-auto, you're better off sticking with standard .22 LR ammunition.
What's the effective range of the CCI #12 shotshell?
These are designed for close work, ideally under 15 feet. Most effective results happen in the 5 to 10 foot range where the pattern is tight and dense. Beyond that, the spread opens up too much to guarantee reliable hits on small targets. This is a pest control tool for close quarters, not a distance round.
Will the #12 shot damage my rifle barrel?
No, the soft lead pellets and plastic capsule are designed to be barrel-safe. The capsule breaks apart on the rifling without damaging it. You might see some plastic residue after shooting, but it cleans out with standard barrel cleaning procedures.
Can I use these for hunting larger game?
These are strictly small pest rounds, designed for rodents, snakes, and similar small targets at very close range. They don't have the power or penetration needed for hunting larger animals. Use proper hunting ammunition if you're pursuing anything bigger than rats and mice.




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