LEWISTON, Idaho – February 4, 2026 – The readers of Predator Xtreme awarded CCI the 2026 Gold Award in the category of Rimfire Ammunition. The Readers’ Choice Awards are 100 percent reader-driven and deliver unbiased views of what everyday hunters use and count on in the field.
“CCI just earned a 10-peat,” said Predator Xtreme Publisher Derrick Nawrocki. “Yes, that’s right, the rimfire category was added in 2016, and CCI has won gold every single year. Predator Xtreme readers can be extremely picky on the gear they choose to use, but more importantly, they are very loyal to the brands they love.”
Varmint Masters magazine was launched in 1994. It changed its name around 2000 to Predator Xtreme. And, in 2026, it is now celebrating more than 30 years of publication. Predator Xtreme remains the leading predator-hunting brand today, and its popular Readers’ Choice Awards help its audience select the most trusted brands.
The publication recently polled its readership to find out their favorite gear, the products that work. They then tallied the votes to determine the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. The awards represent the best insider knowledge on products that work best for hunters nationwide.
“We are proud Predator Xtreme readers recognize us as the best rimfire ammunition for their pursuits, and we are honored to receive this award,” said CCI Rimfire Product Manager Steve Monniere. “In 2026, we will offer two new Hunter Series loads that all small game and varmint hunters will love. These 22 LR loads feature Small Game Bullets (SGB). The lead flat-nose projectiles are highly lethal on game without ruining meat. The new loads are packaged in blaze-orange plastic 100-packs and are 22 LR, 40-grain. 1235-fps, and 22 LR 40-grain., 1050-fps Subsonic.”
To learn more about all the new ammunition from CCI Ammunition for 2026, visit New Products | CCI Ammunition.
CCI Ammunition is available at dealers nationwide and online. For more information on all its products, visit www.cci-ammunition.com.
About CCI Ammunition
Dick Speer founded Cascade Cartridge, Inc. in 1951 next to the Snake River in Lewiston, Idaho. The company manufactured and marketed centerfire primers for government use in its infancy. CCI now develops them for sporting applications as part of Vista Outdoor and is the world leader in rimfire products. The company also produces industrial powerloads and Blazer ammunition. CCI is a brand of The Kinetic Group, owned by CSG, a globally diversified industrial group based in Prague (Czech Republic).
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