CCI Ammunition announced on October 1 that its new Hunter Series .22 LR loads are shipping to retailers nationwide. The line starts with two 40-grain lead flat-nose cartridges: part 3R40LFN at a listed 1,235 feet per second and part 2R40LFN at 1,050 fps. CCI assigns both loads a $13.99 MSRP in the announcement and packages each in a blaze-orange plastic box of 100 rounds. The Lewiston, Idaho, announcement identifies Steven Monniere as CCI's rimfire product manager for the launch. This is a small-game line, not a general relabeling of every CCI rimfire load.

Two velocities, one bullet format

The two loads share the same caliber, bullet weight, lead flat-nose profile and advertised .125 ballistic coefficient. Their main published distinction is velocity. CCI calls the 1,235-fps version the standard or supersonic option and the 1,050-fps cartridge the subsonic option. That gives hunters a choice without changing bullet weight or buying different package sizes. The subsonic label describes the advertised load velocity, however, not a guarantee about sound from every rifle, barrel length, elevation or weather condition.

CCI says the flat nose is intended to deliver terminal effect on small game without excessive meat damage. The company specifically identifies squirrels, rabbits, grouse and groundhogs as intended quarry. Product manager Steven Monniere said the two velocities are meant to provide flexibility across different firearms and hunting situations. Those are manufacturer claims, not independent field-test results, and CCI does not publish accuracy groups or a penetration test with the launch material.