AFTE Store - CCI Polymer-Coated .22 Long Rifle Bullets

A new and novel version of .22 Long Rifle ammunition consisting of red, white and blue polymer-coated, 40-grain, lead bullets appeared in the Phoenix area in June of 2018. These were marketed by CCI of Lewiston, Idaho, in 300-round cartons with a clear plastic see-through window.

The barrel markings on the bearing surfaces of these 40-grain, polymer-coated bullets were found to be limited to the general rifling characteristics. No striae suitable for firearms identification were observed on the test-fired specimens collected in this study, nor were any visible residues of the red, white or blue polymer coating observed in the bores of the four test firearms used in this study.

An examination of bullet wipe rings produced by the red and blue bullets in tightly woven white cotton cloth occasionally revealed traces of the colored polymer material when examined under the stereomicroscope.

The lead-in portions of certain ricochet marks also displayed visible transfers of the red and blue polymer.