CCI Blazer ammo test

22 Long Rifle ammo is finicky. Tell us all about it here.
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CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by TOP PREDATOR »

As I am shooting more than ever, I’m beginning to look at bulk ammo as a way of shooting even more with paying less. I had the oppurtunity last year to see a shooter with a CZ 452 varmint perform very well at 100 yards with bulk CCI blazer ammo. He let me use 10 rounds, which worked well out of my savage MKII BV. I also had the pleasure of watching a fellow knock down many targets at a silhouette match using the same ammo through an anshutz sporter. Obviously, I had to try some out more extensively.

It took most of the winter to find some coming back into stock at the usual ammo places on the net, and I finally had got 2 bricks., $15.99 each, + $8.39 shipping ( .03 a round without shipping or .04 with). My first impression was good as they had lead bullets with a waxy lube on them (like many match style ammos). I had weighed out a brick (I’m a big believer that it helps with groups and reduces fliers).

Through the chrony (set 10 feet away from the muzzle), I shot 5 rounds of each weight through a savage MKII F model with a 2lb. 12 oz. trigger, from a bipod and a rear bag, and took an average FPS. The most consistant was the 50.7 through 51.0 grains, averaging 1211 FPS, with 51.0 grains being the most consistant at 1214 FPS 5 shot average with a 36 FPS deviation between the highest and lowest recorded FPS. The average of all 50 was 1208 FPS. Temperature was 22 degrees F, low humidity, calm to no wind. Scope was set to 12x, and I used a 1” cirle target.


“MG” is the major group measurement without obvious fliers, “EG” is extended group measurement with fliers. “CB” is for clean barrel (swabbed before each 5 rnd group of each weight), “DB” is for dirty barrel (not swabbed / cleaned). “FL” is for flier, which I’m considering anything over .25” or more away from the main group to be a flier (what you would call a flier may be different). Anything I knew I pulled I reshot the round. Number of rounds per weight out of 500, FPS info, groups At 50.

49.8 through 50.3 grains, 17 rounds, will used them for foulers / sighters

50.4 18 rnds 1135 – 1285 FPS, 1205 AVG, 150 DEV, CB–MG 1.5” / EG 2.25” / 1 FL DB-MG .5” / EG 1” / 1 FL
50.5 28 rnds 1175 – 1225 FPS, 1200 AVG, 50 DEV, CB-MG 1.25” / EG 1.75” / 2 FL DB-MG .75”/ EG 1.75” / 2 FL
50.6 38 rnds 1198 – 1278 FPS, 1227 AVG, 80 DEV, CB-MG 1” / EG 2.5” / 1 FL DB-MG .75” / EG 1.5” / 1 FL
50.7 46 rnds 1201 – 1257 FPS, 1219 AVG, 50 DEV, CB-MG .75” / EG 1.5” / 1 FL DB-MG .1.25” / EG 1.5” / 1 FL
50.8 67 rnds 1169 – 1217 FPS, 1197 AVG, 48 DEV, CB-MG 1” / EG 1.25” / 1 FL DB-MG .5” / EG 1.25” / 1 FL
50.9 68 rnds 1189 – 1243 FPS, 1216 AVG, 54 DEV, CB-MG 1” / EG 1” / 0 FL DB-MG .75” / EG .75” / 0 FL
51.0 104 rnds 1199 – 1235 FPS, 1214 AVG, 36 DEV, CB-MG.75” / EG 1.25” / 1 FL DB-MG .5” / EG .75” / 1 FL
51.1 65 rnds 1151 – 1221 FPS, 1186 AVG, 70 DEV, CB-MG .75” / EG 1” / 1 FL DB-MG .5” / EG 1” / 1 FL
51.2 38 rnds 1206 – 1244 FPS, 1221 AVG, 38 DEV, CB-MG 1” / EG 1.5” / 1 FL DB-MG 1” / EG 2” / 2 FL
51.3 11 rnds 1177 – 1217 FPS, 1200 AVG, 40 DEV, CB-MG 1.25” EG 1.75” / 1 FL DB-MG 1” / EG 1.25” / 2 FL

With 51.0 grains being the most plentiful and consistant, I have to believe that this is the weight of the combination of things that CCI was looking for in this ammo.
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The Blazer ammo definitely likes to be shot out of a dirty barrel and leaves a very dirty black clumpy residue. I shot a 5 round group at 50 yards of each weight, swabbed the barrel clean before each shot. The average lowest group was 1.03” and the average largest group 1.57” of a 50 round total.

Shooting 10 foulers, and then shooting 5 round groups of each weight without cleaning the barrel produced tighter groups. The average low group was .75” and the average largest group was 1.28” of a 50 round total, so a dirty barrel decreased group size about .25” or more.

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At 100 yards I didn’t do any clean barrel groups as it was apparent the ammo performs much better through a dirty one. I had changed the magnification on the scope to 14x, and switched to a 1.5” circle target. There was a 6” drop from a 50 yard zero to 100 yards.

50.4 DB-MG 1” / EG 2” / 2 FL
50.5 DB-MG 1.25”/ EG 2” / 1 FL
50.6 DB-MG 1.5” / EG 2.5” / 2 FL
50.7 DB-MG 1.25” / EG 2.5” / 2 FL
50.8 DB-MG 1” / EG 2.75” / 2 FL
50.9 DB-MG 1” / EG 1.75” / 2 FL
51.0 DB-MG 1.25” / EG 2.25” / 2 FL
51.1 DB-MG 1” / EG 2.25” / 1 FL
51.2 DB-MG .75” / EG 1.25” / 2 FL
51.3 DB-MG 1” / EG 1.25” / 1 FL

At 100 yards, 50 round average lowest group was 1.1”, with the highest average group being 2.05”

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There were some impressive groups (for bulk ammo) under 1” with a flier ruining the string. This happened at both 50 and 100 yards, but still with bulk ammo, the largest group of the day was 2.75” at 100 yards (including fliers) and the smallest was just a hair under .75” at 50 (including fliers). I had also shot 15 rounds at 100 yards through a MKII heavy barrel, which produced a 2.25” group. Perhaps I should have used the heavy barrelled Savage rather than the regular barrelled, but at least I now have an idea how the Blazers work in an average setup, and can only perform better in more specialized equipment.

After approximately 175 rounds there were no misfires, misfeeds, non ejections, or any other ammo related malfunction or anything that caught my attention, so the reliability is pretty good, and the fliers where not so extreme as to cause any major disappointment, and a decent bulk ammo that’s worth trying.
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Re: CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by Chattcatdaddy »

Nice report Top predator. I have always liked Blazers as a good utility kind of round. While it is not match grade it still produces some pretty decent groups. I just picked up 2 bricks myself and it shoots on par with my Fiocchi Match target (at least thats what I think its called, anyway its the pretty cheap target round).

Also just picked up a couple bricks of CCI standard velocity to see how that will group. Gonna test it out later this week. Gotta find a good decent priced round that is readily available so I can stock up. Gonna be doing alot of shooting this season (silhouette and prone). My fingers are crossed that CCI Standard Velocity is the winner.
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Re: CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by Jerry G »

I just got an idea for shooting cheep ammo for practice. Shoot regulation size paper targets with a ghost immage scaled up to duplicate the group sizes with the cheep ammo. You are looking at the correct size black target but you are scoring a larger target to match the cheep ammo. I haven't tried it but it seems to make sense while I am sitting here sipping on some hot coffee.
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Re: CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by Bob259 »

Jerry G wrote:I just got an idea for shooting cheep ammo for practice. Shoot regulation size paper targets with a ghost immage scaled up to duplicate the group sizes with the cheep ammo. You are looking at the correct size black target but you are scoring a larger target to match the cheep ammo. I haven't tried it but it seems to make sense while I am sitting here sipping on some hot coffee.

Jerry, Quick check the pot, I think someone slipped Cactus Juice in the coffee pot on you.... :shock:
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Re: CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by Toms »

Just a word of advise. We ordered some Blazer. When it arrived it was in the 50 rd. boxes. We had tried some 550 bulk packs and they shot good enough for pratice and close animals. I have a older Waltheer kkj with a tight chamber. The lot of Blazer I ended up with was very large. I stuck a bullet in the chamber and pulled the case out without the bullet. I have never had that happen before in a rimfire. The bulk stuff was better. Has anyone had this happen? In the Anschutz it chambers very hard. I miked it and it measured .225+. Not good. I guess there is not any quality control in makeing this stuff. OH the days of Wolf for $175 a case shipped. Wish I had stocked up. Take care Tom Spriggs.
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Re: CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by Jerry G »

That can happen when you live in the valley of the cactus.
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Re: CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by teetertotter »

Top Predator, THANKS. This past winter I have been using indoor with cost at our Farm & Fleet store of $14.50/brick + 5% tax in my Marlin 39A.
It was 55 degrees outside today and decided to see what could do at the swingers on the silhouette range via bench rest using sand bags. As you know, sighting in on the swingers is a gauge. I can say this, my Marlin 39A hit the Rams head[100m] 7 out of 10. It was time to go as had to meet my wife for dinner. When the temp reaches 65+, I will be setting up paper for actual sighting and see how the group sizes match up with the Blazer. By using the swingers today, I was really impressed with the CCI Blazer in my 3 year old 39A. I have heard that sometimes you can find a cheap grade with the same accuracy of match or target. I hope this is the case for me and my only rifle. I had read some reviews on the Blazer is what prompted me to try indoors as only 50ft and then see what would do outdoors. I've notice too, it is VERY clean. After 500 rounds, I clean my barrel. I might be able to go 1000 rds before cleaning? I hope to have some results to show sometime next month using my 39A.
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Re: CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by teetertotter »

My 4yr old Marlin 39a, with 6.5-20X44 scope, w 2-1/2lb trigger, off club bench and sand bags on a pretty calm afternoon. 3-1/2 months ago and not any better
BLAZER
40m Dime size
60m Nickel size
77m Qtr size
100m 1.25 inch [Wish was better, at least .75]

Ammo is used right out of 50/box with same lot#. Currently have a case+
Have been unable to find a better 1235-1255fps ammo for my rifle. That would include all Remmington, Winchester, CCI, and Federal. Std velocity and or subsonic do not have any accuracy in my 39a which was not designed for in the first place. But have tried anyway. Blazer works the BEST for me and CHEAP!
I would say my 39a is pretty accurate for what it was designed for, hunting. I am looking to buy a real target rifle........if wife will approve next Spring!
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Re: CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by caseyboy »

The CCI Blazers are a good economical round. I use them on chickens and pigs. Any misses are my fault, not the ammo. :D

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Re: CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by Sherlok »

Great Post. Sorry I'm just now reading it.

I've been doing tests - weighing cheap ammo and running it through my Waltz tool that I purchased this Spring. Doesn't work on everything, but is magic on some brands. I was in the big city this week and purchased a brick of Blazer to try. After reading this post, I'm very optimistic.

i've done enough testing to know that you can obtain accuracy approaching the expensive stuff with a little work. I'll post my results, but right now I'm a little busy with controlling the deer population in our area.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving,
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Re: CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by teetertotter »

My result using my Marlin 39a on sand bags: [Only rifle I have]
40M .69 dia within Dime
60M .89 dia within Nickle
77M 1.0 dia within Qtr
100M 1.5 dia
I have read some use in their CZ for practice. My scope was an old Simmons mag 44, 6.5-20, cross hairs, Summer thru FAll 2010. I will do another test in the Spring when I use my new Vortex Viper, 6.5-20, Target DOT. I am thinking about retiring my 39a with replacement by April.
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Re: CCI Blazer ammo test

Post by Creeker »

Been shooting some of the Blazer & it does well enough for most my informal banging.

Kimber Rifle did OK with it
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I've put a bunch of it through my Marlin with a cheap Banner scope. This is average
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