CCI Drops Purpose-Built Suppressor Ammo for .22 LR
CCI introduced the Clean-22 Suppressor, a .22 LR cartridge designed to minimize lead buildup in suppressor baffles. The round fires a 45-grain black polymer-coated lead round-nose bullet at 1,000 feet per second. This load addresses a known pain point for suppressed .22 shooters: traditional ammunition leaves heavy fouling inside cans, requiring frequent teardowns and cleaning.
Key Details
- Bullet: 45-grain lead round-nose with polymer coating (black finish)
- Velocity: 1,000 fps
- Purpose: Reduces fouling and lead deposits in suppressor internals
- Platform: Works in suppressed .22 LR rifles and pistols
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
Suppressed .22 shooting is one of the quietest shooting experiences available—ideal for backyard range time, pest control, or low-noise practice. The trade-off has always been suppressor maintenance. Standard .22 ammunition deposits lead and powder residue inside baffles, forcing shooters to soak, scrub, and reassemble their cans every few hundred rounds. The polymer coating on CCI's new load reduces this fouling significantly, cutting maintenance intervals and extending suppressor life. For shooters running .22 cans hard—competition shooters, trainers, or high-volume plinkers—this ammunition cuts your cleaning burden substantially. No state restrictions apply; .22 LR is legal nationwide.
DownRange Analysis
CCI identified and solved a real problem. Suppressed .22 shooting has exploded in popularity since Bruen removed many regulatory barriers, but the suppressor fouling issue remained. A polymer-coated bullet at 1,000 fps keeps energy adequate for reliability while minimizing lead spray inside the can. The 45-grain weight is ideal for suppressed work—fast enough to stay subsonic in most .22 rifles, heavy enough for consistent feeding. This is market segmentation done right: CCI recognized a niche demand and filled it without gimmickry. Expect this round to become standard for suppressed .22 shooters. Price and availability will determine adoption speed, but the engineering is sound.
