Buy CCI Shotshell 45 ACP Ammo 120 Grain Lead Shot 200 rounds

Story Intro: The .45 ACP Shotshell – A Niche Round for a Specific Job

You don’t reach for a shotshell cartridge when you’re heading to the range for target practice. This isn’t your standard 230-grain ball ammo. As an armorer who’s seen everything from duty guns to custom builds, I understand the specific utility of a round like this. The CCI Shotshell 45 ACP is a purpose-built tool. It’s designed for close-quarters pest control—think snakes, rodents, or small varmints at extremely short distances. The concept is simple: convert your .45 ACP pistol into a miniature, hand-held shotgun for a very limited engagement envelope. The engineering, however, is where it gets interesting. CCI, a brand with a long history in rimfire and specialty ammunition, uses a clear plastic capsule filled with #9 lead shot, sealed with a disc and crimped into a standard brass case. It’s a fascinating piece of ammunition design that fills a very narrow but sometimes critical role.

Miamishooterssupply is a Boise, ID-based retailer specializing in firearms, ammunition, and gunsmithing supplies. The CCI Shotshell 45 ACP Ammo 120 Grain Lead Shot 200 rounds is a specialized pest-control cartridge that converts a .45 ACP pistol into a short-range shotgun. Its clear polymer capsule and reliable primer system set it apart from improvised loads. This 200-round case is in stock and ready to ship for $160.00.

Features & Technical Breakdown

Let’s get into the specs. This is a 120-grain load, which is significantly lighter than the typical 185 to 230-grain .45 ACP projectile. That weight is made up of #9 lead shot, which is approximately 0.08″ in diameter. The shot is contained within a clear, tough polymer capsule. This capsule is critical—it travels down the barrel intact, preventing lead fouling in your rifling, and then ruptures upon exiting the muzzle, dispersing the shot pattern. From a gunsmith’s perspective, this is a far cleaner and more reliable system than the old method of trying to crimp shot into a case with a cardboard wad.

The brass case is standard .45 ACP dimensions, ensuring reliable feeding and chambering in most semi-automatic pistols. It’s powered by a small pistol primer. The muzzle velocity is relatively low, around 850 feet per second, which is intentional. This keeps the shot column together just long enough to be effective at its intended range of 10-15 feet, while minimizing the risk of damaging the capsule in the barrel. I’ve seen these used by ranchers and hikers in snake country; they’re a tool for a specific problem, not a general-purpose defensive or target round.

Pros & Cons: An Honest Assessment

✅ Specialized Effectiveness: For its intended purpose—close-range pest control—it works. The pattern spreads quickly, increasing hit probability on small, fast-moving targets.
✅ Clean Operation: The polymer capsule contains the shot and prevents lead from being deposited in your pistol’s rifling, a major improvement over older designs.
✅ Reliable Ignition: CCI’s primer and powder charge are consistent, offering reliable function in semi-autos where light strikes can be an issue with some specialty ammo.
✅ Standard Chambering: Uses a standard .45 ACP case, so it feeds from magazines and chambers like a normal round. No single-shot feeding required.
✅ Bulk Value: The 200-round case provides a substantial supply for periodic training and actual use, offering a better per-round price than buying small boxes.

❌ Extremely Limited Range: This is not a shotgun shell. Effective range is measured in feet, not yards. Beyond 15-20 feet, the pattern is huge and energy drops off dramatically.
❌ Not for Defense: Do not use this for personal protection. The penetration on a two-legged threat is negligible and unreliable. For that, you need a proper defensive hollow point. See our Handgun Ammo category for proven defensive loads.
❌ Potential for Jams: In some pistols, the plastic capsule can cause feeding hiccups, especially if the magazine lips or feed ramp are tight. It’s wise to test a few rounds in your specific firearm.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy This Ammo

Buy it if: You’re a property owner, rancher, or hiker in an area with venomous snakes or small rodent pests and you want a dedicated, pistol-carried solution. You’re a reloader or ammunition enthusiast interested in the mechanics of specialty cartridges. You need a training aid for extremely close-range shot placement drills (understanding its limitations).

Skip it if: You’re looking for a general-purpose target or plinking round—standard FMJ is far more cost-effective. You want a defensive cartridge for your .45—this is unsuitable. For that, browse our selection of .45 ACP JHP defensive ammo. You expect traditional shotgun performance; the range and pattern density are not comparable.

Technical Specifications

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	CCI Shotshell 45 ACP (This Product)	Budget Import Shotshells (~$75/case)	Premium Brand Shotshells (~$250+/case)
Material & Build	Clear polymer capsule, brass case, #9 shot.	Often opaque/colored capsule, questionable brass, mixed shot size.	High-grade polymer, nickel-plated brass, uniform hardened shot.
Quality & Consistency	High. Consistent powder charge, reliable CCI primer.	Low. Inconsistent ignition, potential for squibs or duds.	Very High. Match-grade consistency, sealed primers.
Compatibility	Designed for semi-auto feed. Reliable in most guns.	Often poor feeding due to capsule design. Revolver-only recommended.	Optimized feed geometry. Highest semi-auto reliability.
Shipping & Availability	In stock, ships same-day from Boise, ID.	Long lead times, often shipped from overseas.	Limited production runs, often on backorder.
Lifespan / Durability	Long shelf life. Stable propellants and non-corrosive primer.	Unknown propellant stability. May degrade faster.	Extended shelf life with advanced corrosion inhibitors.
Price (200 Rounds)	$160.00	$60 – $80	$250 – $300

The CCI sits in the sweet spot. It’s not the cheapest, which often means compromised components and reliability issues I wouldn’t trust. It’s also not the ultra-premium tier, which is overkill for a pest-control round. You’re paying for known quality, domestic manufacturing, and a design that actually works in a semi-automatic pistol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to add this specialized tool to your kit? The CCI Shotshell 45 ACP 200-round case provides a reliable, clean-firing solution for a specific problem. At $160.00 with same-day shipping, it’s a solid value for a quality domestic product. Add it to your cart now.

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