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By Slaton L. White

Being in the ammunition business requires the deft touch exemplified by a high-wire acrobat. Manufacturers in this arena need to churn out millions of rounds of ammunition per year to satisfy unrelenting consumer demand while at the same time nurturing the ability to spot emerging trends that will require capital investment to develop new products to meet that demand. One of the reasons CCI, in business for more than 75 years, is sometimes referred to as “the king of rimfire,” is its uncanny ability to do just that.

“Clean-22 was partly developed to build .22 LR ammunition without the traditional wax coating,” says CCI rimfire product line director Jason Slinkard. “Instead, it uses a proprietary polymer coating. The development of this product line was also a direct result of listening to our customers who wanted cleaner-shooting ammo, and this polymer coating was created to handle the friction and heat associated with the velocities of rimfire ammunition. Because of this polymer coating, it’s the cleanest-shooting lead .22 LR ammunition we offer.”

Clean-22 ammo features a lead bullet completely encapsulated in a protective polymer coating. The polymer coating replaces the wax traditionally applied to .22 LR ammunition to protect the barrel of the gun from the buildup of lead or copper residue. But the new polymer coating does a far better job, and that means the user will not have to break down and clean the gun as often. In general, Clean-22 products also cut lead buildup in suppressors 60 to 80 percent and reliably function in semi-automatic firearms. And, like all other CCI products, Clean-22 ammo is built with dependable CCI primers and propellent designed to deliver consistent performance.

Clean-22 launched in 2019 with two options: Sub-Sonic and High Velocity. Both loads feature a 40-grain round-nose lead bullet colored in a way to signify their differences, which will help the end user quickly identify exactly what they are looking for when browsing ammo stocks at a retail outlet.

Red (High Velocity) boasts a muzzle velocity of 1,235 fps; Blue (Sub-Sonic) features a muzzle velocity of 1,070 fps. Both options are sold in 100-count, clear-sided, durable boxes. Later, CCI released a few other High-Velocity loads in other purpose-driven colors. Clean-22 Pink helps support efforts to find a cure for breast cancer. (A portion of the proceeds from every box sold goes directly to support this cause.) Clean-22 Realtree camo has bullets colored tan, green, and black, which are attractive to hunters. Clean22 Xmas sports the colors of red and green and is popular during the winter holidays. All of these .22 LR ammo products have a muzzle velocity of 1,235 fps and come in 400-round bulk bottles that are perfect for long days at the range.

In 2020, CCI introduced Suppressor .22 LR (black bullets) in the company’s unique 200-count “pour pack” cartons and MaxiMag Segmented Hollow Point (SHP) .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR).

“Clean-22’s advanced polymer bullet coating reduces lead fouling inside a suppressor by up to 60 percent,” Slinkard says. “This feature allows much easier suppressor cleaning and maintenance. For that reason, our Clean-22 Sub-Sonic product was initially popular with suppressor users. However, the newer Clean-22 Suppressor product shoots even better when used with a suppressed firearm due to its heavier 45-grain bullet set to a muzzle velocity of 1,000 fps. This ultimately gives suppressor fans more options.”

Slinkard emphasizes that Clean-22 Maxi-Mag SHP is the industry’s only segmenting .22 WMR hollow-point bullet. The load’s 46-grain segmented hollow point splits into three equal-size pieces on impact, tripling the number of wound channels. The polymer bullet coating allows this separation at much lower velocities and longer distances than a conventional copper jacket. The load features an olive-drab green bullet with a muzzle velocity of 1,850 fps and is available in 50-count boxes.

Shooters who like the fast and very popular CCI Stinger or Velocitor loads will love Clean-22 Hyper Velocity, which is new for 2023. Its 31-grain, round-nose bullets are colored purple, and its muzzle velocity is set to 1,550 fps.

“This new SKU delivers lots of energy with less lead fouling in the firearm or their suppressor,” Slinkard says. “When customers come into your store saying they like to shoot Stingers or Velocitors, you’ll find it an easy task turning them on to this new clean, hyper-fast load.”

By adding the Clean-22 Hyper Velocity to the lineup CCI now has a .22 LR load in four muzzle-velocity windows: 1,000, 1,070, 1,235, and 1,500 fps.

“Customers are always looking for variety, and CCI has always delivered. This new SKU rounds up the Clean-22 product family,” says Slinkard. “Now dealers can supply a full variety of color, cartridge, velocity, packaging, and bullet options in products that feature CCI’s exclusive Clean-22 polymer bullet coating.”

(cci-ammunition.com)  Clean-22 bullets are coated with a protective polymer rather than the traditional wax coating.

For 2023, LOWA is expanding its tactical offerings with the introduction of the new Zephyr MK2 family of boots. These new models are stronger, lighter, and now certified to be even higher-performance versions of the original best-selling Zephyr TF models. The new Zephyr MK2 concept features an updated version of the innovative PU MONOWRAP frame that has helped make these boots best-sellers for over a decade. They now feature the new LOWA X-Trac Military outsole that is slip-, heat-, and fuel oil-resistant. A fast-rope arch on the medial side and a new lacing system provide for even better foot hold. Zephyr MK2 GTX boots are available in Mid, Hi, and Lo heights for men and women and are EU PPE certified to the world’s most rigorous performance, protection, and durability duty-boot standards. Select models are available in wide sizes.

The new Combat MK2 GTX is designed for long marches, patrols, paratrooper jumps, mountain, and combat missions. The Combat MK2 GTX has the highest degree of EU PPE certified protection and durability in the lightest-weight combat boot design LOWA has ever produced. It features LOWA RAYFLECT, a new leather treatment that reflects a portion of the sun’s heat rays away from the boot, preventing excessive heat build-up. The LOWA AS, a proprietary ankle protection system, has a highly shock absorbing PORON technology to shield both sides of the ankle from impact. In addition, it has a new certified slip- and heat-resistant VIBRAM Vanguard dual-density outsole with a fast-rope arch on the medial side.

The BREACHER S Mid, a mid-cut, fabric-lined sibling to the COMBAT MK2 GTX, is designed for challenging missions in warmer weather where a robust, yet lightweight combat boot is required. It provides maximum breathability and is extremely lightweight, providing best-in-class protection, stability, and durability. It features the new, certified LOWA AS ankle protection system with PORON technology, the new VIBRAM Vanguard outsle, and a fastrope arch on the medial side.

Lastly, the Z-6S GTX C and the Z-8S GTX C are now certified to comply with EU PPE regulations and feature the LOWA Tactical Z Tracoutsole that meets the SRA standard for slip and heat resistance. Designed for demanding situations while carrying heavy packs over varied terrain, the Z series models combine the walking comfort of hiking boots with the support and protection of hard-duty, backpacking boots plus instep protection for fast-roping, and are durably waterproof and breathable. The Z-8S GTX has an 8-inch shaft. Booth #10162

(lowaboots.com)

 The BREACHER S Mid is designed for challenging missions in warmer weather.

 The Combat MK2 GTX is designed for long marches and paratrooper jumps.

BIG BOOTS With 100 years of experience, we know a thing or two about making mountain hunting boots that can handle heavy loads, rough terrain and long distances. THE TIBET COLLECTION is handcrafted in Germany, featuring LOWA’s renowned attention to detail and only the highest quality materials such as responsibly tanned leathers, VIBRAM outsoles for outstanding traction, and GORE-TEX such as responsibly tanned leathers, VIBRAM outsoles for outstanding traction, and GORE-TEX FOR BIG GAME & BIG MOUNTAINS lasted linings for all-day waterproof/ breathable comfort. lasted linings for all-day waterproof/ breathable comfort.

TIBET GTX HI HUNTER GTX EVO EXTREME NEW BOOTH #10162 Visit our new booth to see the LOWA 2023 Hunting & Task Force Collections new 2023 Hunting & Task Force Collections

TIBET GTX Women’s model also available.

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