CCI Blazer~made BY CCI and by Federal? Any experts here?

[.22LRGUY]

Hey guys~I read a while back that CCI were contracting-out some of their Blazer ammo manufacturing to Federal, and that the way to tell the difference was (maybe among other things?) the tray the ammo itself is packed in, INSIDE each box of 50.
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CCI-made stuff, a flat/clear pc. of plastic that simply separates each cartridge

Federal-made stuff, a black or white molded sort of grid with 4 legs in the corners to better sort of "float" the ammo.
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My CZ452 likes (what I think) is the CCI Stuff, all packed with that clear/flat plastic pc. in each box. I'm currently trying to track-down 2-4 bricks of THIS Blazer, but have been offered what I think is the Federal stuff so far.

Anybody know for sure which-is-which?

thanks!

 

[wayupnorth]

I purchased 10k of CCI ammo couple years back, so I'm assuming that was before this recent 'federal is making some blazer' that you speak of, and all mine has the clear tray.

So I'm guessing the clear tray is CCI.

My stuff was purchased 8 years ago or so.

 

[Jabotinsky]

ATK is the parent company for both brands so it's possible they are contracting to Federal.

 

[SURESHOT73]

Yup clear tray, darker grey and style of lead is different, Google images shows the difference.

 

[Mike112288]

My cz 452 shoots unreal with blazers in the black and red box

 

[Hunt78]

Tried the ones in the blue package in my 452 and was disappointed. I will try the black and red pack and hope for better groups

 

[Cz452velocitor]

delete

 

[CHIA]

I'd suggest buying samples and shooting to see if your gun loves them before taking interweb advice.

 

[chrisward3]

Do they come in the same box? Agreed on the cci/clear is the winner in my rifles.

 

[Cz452velocitor]

delete

 

[G.Mitchell]

CCI had clear trays without legs and Federal had white trays with legs i believe.

Last time I checked the way the boxes of 500 were sealed were different too. I think one was just a folded closed box and one had a zipper closure.

My guns run better on the CCI stuff...

 

[Cz452velocitor]

delete

 

[chrisward3]

Great pics. Thanks

 

[G.Mitchell]

Happy to help, but it is not my photo. It is what I used when I was stocking up on blazer so I was certain I was buying CCI not Federal.

 

[.22LRGUY]

I was able to source/confirm that what I'd found (in bulk, gopher qtys. ) WAS CCI-made stuff. I actually called CCI from the retailer and while I couldn't get anyone on the phone at the time, they did call back a day later. To be totally honest, the guy wasn't that pleasant on the phone and kind of scoffed when I asked the question. My CZs shoot the CCI-made stuff well and while I've never had/used anything but...when you're buying it by the case, it's kind of an important question. Anyhow, the guy said that there was only a short period of time (a while back) that they had some farmed out, and all modern-production Blazer 22 IS made by CCI.

 

[tjhaile]

ATK is the parent company for both brands so it's possible they are contracting to Federal.

ATK sold their shooting product lines to Vista Outdoor, but yes, CCI and Federal have the same parent company.

 

[JimV]

The 50rd box with slide out trays having no legs and very dark lead with a heavily waxed bullet are the true CCI blazer loads , the 50rd box with slide out trays having legs AND the 500+ rd bulk packs are federal loaded CCI, the federal cci leads are light grey in color with no visible wax coating. The true CCI blazer loads are far superior

Exactly right. And, as another poster noted, the brick size box has a different closure. Real CCI is a flap, the Federal is a zip. Otherwise they look the same. The real CCI is much better ammo. Most of my semis wouldn't cycle the other stuff reliably.

If you're buying over the net be sure to call the vendor first to confirm.