CCI Ammo

Target shooters and small-game hunters who are looking for quality rimfire products often turn to CCI. This company, which has been at the forefront of manufacturing and design for decades, delivers reliability, consistency, and performance to small-caliber ammunition.

While they have an extensive selection of cartridges, their legacy is strongly tied to the production of primers for reloading purposes.

The Start of CCI Ammo

CCI was established in 1951 by firearm enthusiast Dick Speer. Long before CCI became a reality, however, Dick worked as a machinist at Boeing Aircraft’s Seattle plant. Dick’s brother, Vernon, was already having success in bullet manufacturing, and Dick soon realized that there was opportunity in the ammunition business.

Dick’s first business endeavor was to produce cases for proprietary rifle cartridges that were not supported by the major ammunition companies. Although this specific market was small, there was an active demand for these products. Dick joined his brother in Idaho and started producing special cases, giving him footing and experience in the ammunition industry.

After World War II, the stock of quality brass cartridges has been depleted and Dick decided to turn to a different path. He discovered that primers for reloading purposes were in short supply so he seized another opportunity and began manufacturing these components. He quickly became one of the leaders in primer production and officially launched CCI in 1951.

Although Dick Speer intended his primers to be used for hobby shooters and hunters, his first order came in the form of a military contract. This demanding yet lucrative order allowed CCI to grow as a business while maintaining a steady stream of profitable production. Dick used this opportunity to begin manufacturing non-corrosive, non-mercuric formulas for sporting ammunition, giving reloaders a steady supply of rifle and pistol primers.

CCI was steadily growing, but they needed room to handle the expanding business. Dick purchased a 17-acre ranch, which was conveniently located next to a local gun club, to expand operations. The ranch was converted into a production facility, warehouse, and office. After the gun club moved, Dick Speer was able to purchase the land and further expand his operations.

Who Owns CCI Today?

CCI is part of Vista Outdoor. The ammo behemoth owns several top-notch brands that also include Federal, Federal Premium and Remington.

From the first military contract to the last box off a sporting goods shelf, CCI has always been dedicated to innovation and development. In 1990, CCI perfected the first “hypervelocity” .22-caliber cartridge, further expanding their role as a leader in rimfire ammunition.