Comparing the Remington Yellow Jacket vs CCI Stinger is a classic debate for anyone who grew up hunting small game or just likes seeing what a .22 LR can really do when you push it to the limit. These aren't your standard, run-of-the-mill round nose bullets meant for punching holes in paper at a leisurely pace. These are hyper-velocity rounds designed to zip through the air and deliver a serious wallop to whatever varmint happens to be in the crosshairs.
Back in the day, if you wanted the fastest rimfire round on the shelf, you reached for one of these two. Even with all the new high-tech options available today, these two remain the heavyweights of the "fast and light" category. But while they share a similar goal, they go about achieving it in pretty different ways.
The Speed Game: Breaking Down the Numbers
When you're looking at the Remington Yellow Jacket vs CCI Stinger, the first thing everyone talks about is the speed. We're talking about velocities that step well outside the usual 1,200 feet per second (fps) range of high-velocity ammo.
The CCI Stinger is the undisputed king of the "off the shelf" speed demons for many. It typically clocks in at a blistering 1,640 fps at the muzzle. To get that kind of speed, CCI uses a 32-grain copper-plated hollow point. They also use a slightly longer case than a standard .22 LR, which allows for a bit more powder, though the overall length of the cartridge stays within the spec so it should fit in most chambers.
On the other side, the Remington Yellow Jacket isn't exactly a slouch. It pushes a 33-grain truncated cone hollow point at about 1,500 fps. While it's technically a bit slower on paper than the Stinger, 1,500 fps is still incredibly fast for a rimfire. The Yellow Jacket uses a standard-length brass case, which makes it a bit more "traditional" in its dimensions, even if the bullet shape looks like something out of a sci-fi movie.
That Weird Bullet Shape
If you lay a Remington Yellow Jacket next to a CCI Stinger, the first thing you'll notice—besides the Stinger's shiny nickel-plated case—is the shape of the lead.
The Stinger looks like a standard, albeit small, hollow point. It's got a rounded profile that feeds reliably in almost everything. It's simple, effective, and aerodynamic enough for what it is.
The Yellow Jacket, however, uses a truncated cone design. It's flat-nosed with a deep hollow point crater in the middle. The idea here is all about energy transfer. When that flat face hits a squirrel or a soup can, it dumps all its energy almost instantly. It's designed for maximum "thump." The downside? Some semi-auto rifles absolutely hate feeding that flat-nosed profile. It can catch on feed ramps or the edge of the chamber, leading to those annoying jams that ruin a good day at the range.
Accuracy and Real-World Performance
This is where the Remington Yellow Jacket vs CCI Stinger debate gets really interesting. Accuracy with hyper-velocity ammo is always a bit of a gamble. Because these bullets are so light and moving so fast, they tend to be more sensitive to wind and barrel harmonics than a standard 40-grain subsonic round.
In my experience, the CCI Stinger tends to be more consistent across a wider variety of rifles. The nickel-plated cases are slick, which helps with extraction, and the round-nose profile just seems to "agree" with more barrels. However, there's a catch: because the Stinger case is slightly longer, you should never use it in a rifle with a Match or Bentz chamber. If you try to shove a Stinger into a tight competition-grade barrel, the case can actually bridge into the rifling, which is bad news for both accuracy and safety.
The Remington Yellow Jacket is a bit of a wildcard. In some rifles, it's surprisingly tight. In others, it groups like a shotgun blast. Because the bullet is a 33-grain truncated cone, it's not the most aerodynamic thing in the world. It's a "hammer" for short distances—usually under 50 yards. If you're trying to pick off a gopher at 100 yards, the Stinger usually holds its trajectory and grouping a little better.
Terminal Ballistics: The "Varmint Factor"
Let's be honest: nobody is buying these for Olympic-style target shooting. You buy these because you want to see a reaction when the bullet hits the target.
The CCI Stinger is famous for its explosive expansion. On small pests, it's devastating. The copper plating helps it stay together just long enough to penetrate before it mushrooms out. It's a classic for a reason. If you're hunting anything from rats to raccoons, the Stinger is a proven performer.
The Remington Yellow Jacket, however, is arguably even more violent on impact at close range. That flat, truncated nose acts like a literal wedge. It doesn't just expand; it almost disintegrates upon impact with anything solid. I've seen Yellow Jackets do things to water jugs that you'd normally expect from a .22 Mag. If your rifle feeds them reliably, they are arguably the "nastiest" .22 LR hunting rounds ever made.
Reliability and Cycling Issues
When we talk about the Remington Yellow Jacket vs CCI Stinger, we have to talk about "picky" guns.
- The Stinger's Case: As mentioned, the case is longer. In a standard Ruger 10/22 or a bolt-action Marlin, it's usually fine. But in some semi-autos, that extra case length can cause ejection issues or, worse, won't allow the bolt to go fully into battery.
- The Yellow Jacket's Nose: The flat nose is the Achilles' heel here. If you're shooting a bolt action or a revolver, the Yellow Jacket is fantastic. If you're using an old semi-auto with a steep feed ramp, you might find yourself clearing jams every third shot.
If I'm going out for a day of casual plinking or I'm bringing a rifle I don't know very well, I'll usually grab the Stingers. They just seem to work in a broader range of firearms. But if I have a bolt gun that I know likes the Yellow Jackets, that's what I'm taking into the woods.
Price and Availability
Let's talk about the wallet. Neither of these is "cheap" ammo. If you want cheap, you buy a 500-round bulk pack of lead round nose. Both the Stinger and the Yellow Jacket are premium offerings.
The CCI Stinger is generally easier to find. Most big-box stores and local gun shops keep it in stock because it's such a staple. It comes in those handy 50-round plastic slider boxes that everyone loves (and then accidentally drops in the tall grass).
The Remington Yellow Jacket can be a bit more elusive. Remington has gone through some corporate changes over the last few years, and for a while, Yellow Jackets were hard to find. They're back in production now, usually in 50-round cardboard boxes with that iconic yellow-jacket bee on the front. Price-wise, they usually sit right around the same bracket as the Stingers, maybe a dollar or two cheaper depending on where you shop.
Which One Should You Pick?
So, in the battle of Remington Yellow Jacket vs CCI Stinger, who actually wins?
It really comes down to your specific rifle and what you're trying to do. If you need a round that is likely to work in almost any gun, is easy to find, and offers the best long-range (relatively speaking) performance, the CCI Stinger is the winner. It's the gold standard for hyper-velocity rimfire for a reason.
However, if you want maximum impact at close range and you're shooting a bolt-action or a "hungry" semi-auto that isn't picky about bullet shape, the Remington Yellow Jacket is a blast to shoot. There's something deeply satisfying about the "thwack" of a truncated cone hitting a target.
Personally, I like to keep a box of both in my range bag. Some days you want the sleek, high-tech feel of the Stinger, and other days you want the old-school, aggressive punch of the Yellow Jacket. Either way, you're getting the most excitement you can possibly squeeze out of a tiny .22 caliber rimfire cartridge. Just make sure to test a box in your favorite rifle before you go out and buy a whole brick!