Did a little experiment today. CFE223 + 308win + 168 AMAX's = Velocity *Update*

[bulldog284]

canuckwr

you stolle my signature line lol,

you might want to try that poweder with the heavier bullets as well, i have had some very good results with the 185s,might want to check your bedding if those flyers keep showing up.

 

[CanuckWR]

canuckwr

you stolle my signature line lol,

you might want to try that poweder with the heavier bullets as well, i have had some very good results with the 185s,might want to check your bedding if those flyers keep showing up.

Ya, I didn't remember who's sig it was but it sure fits. Feel like I'm 17 again chasing women. Just isn't working well for me...

Bedding is intact. I re-torqued every possible bolt on the rifle. I have a pile loaded for further testing against some Varget loads soooo???

Tonight I am going to spin up some 223 loads with 80's and 90gn's. Next weekend I will pick up some heavies for the 308 and try again.

I'm too damn stubborn (or stupid) to give up!

 

[Mystic Precision]

I would start backing off your loads and you will likely find that the flyers go away BUT the speed also falls inline with other more common powders.

Maybe on the fast side but not over the top as you orig had.

Despite the marketing, we still can't get speed AND accuracy with any new gen powder.

But I can only hope that will change soon.

Jerry

 

[CanuckWR]

I would start backing off your loads and you will likely find that the flyers go away BUT the speed also falls inline with other more common powders.

Maybe on the fast side but not over the top as you orig had.

Despite the marketing, we still can't get speed AND accuracy with any new gen powder.

But I can only hope that will change soon.

Jerry

Yup. Pretty much what I saw yesterday when I ran through from 46gn to 48gn again. Its a bit better for speed, but no miracle.

I'll run her through again today... Round 7 lol

 

[CanuckWR]

So I was out again today. I made a few changes to the scope of the experiment and have made some equipment changes.

First of the most recent changes is the developement of 175gn Nosler Custom Comp. HPBT
After much research on the internets it seems to be essential identical in shape to the 175 SMK. It was also dirt cheap and no one in Edmonton had any SMK's instock this weekend. I will give them a go.

I have also changed to some once fired lapua brass that I had. Might as well give it a real chance to be a winner. Turned necks to uniform and neck sized to 0.002" neck tension.

So Hodgdon says max of 47.5gn CFE223 for the 175gn bullet. I made up some loads in steps 0.5gn from 45.5gn to 47.5gn. 5 rds for each step.

Thios was also a great time to test out my new S&B PMII scope. Although the reticle was a little thick for real precision work and I plan to change it back again for the next test, I HAD to try it.

I noticed when loading cases with powder that the charges for the 175gn bullets was they were filled to about 85%. Which may contribute to the horrible ES an SD numbers.

Again every load is thrown and verified on a beam scale.

Charge... Speeds
45.5gn= Avg. 2775.6fps ES 49fps SD 13.7fps
46gn= Avg 2822.8fps ES 55fps SD 21.36fps
46.5gn= Avg 2867.2fps ES 62fps SD 19.84fps
47gn= Avg 2852.2fps ES 28fps SD 8.24fps
47.5= AVG 2931.2fps ES 36fps SD 9.8fps
The 47.5gn load was starting to show faint ejector outlining and just a hint of stiffness in bolt lift. It felt like the end of the line.

he 47gn group showed promise so I will be loading a 46.8gn to 47.2gn loads in 0.2gn increments. And pics will be posted of those groups.


I have really began to suspect my chrony is about 90fps optimistic so I also picked up a box of 168gn Federal Gold medal match and ran 5 over it.

Federal GMM= Avg 2806.8fps ES 25fps SD 7.7fps

The chrony won't be participating any more in this test I think...

Back to the press to make more and hopefully results tomorrow.

 

[coyote]

If your chrony isn't opened up completely it will give a fast reading , maybe that's the problem ?

My friend had his chrony mounted to a tripod that had like a little plastic dimple underneath and would not allow it to open all the way and was giving high readings.

 

[CanuckWR]

If your chrony isn't opened up completely it will give a fast reading , maybe that's the problem ?

My friend had his chrony mounted to a tripod that had like a little plastic dimple underneath and would not allow it to open all the way and was giving high readings.

I think this is exactly whats going on. However it doesn't seem to be tripod specific because I have swapped it out. Going to try another Chrony, then maybe 2 back to back. But I can infer speed based on ballistics so I am not too worried.

 

[coyote]

What I do with mine which is also a chrony when I bolt it to the tripod I dont tighten the bolt to much cause it seems to want to close it some.

I bought an old sportco on CGN a few years ago and just started to play with it I may try some of this powder , I know it likes varget with 155 palma bullets but I wouldn't mind the extra speed.

 

[CanuckWR]

What I do with mine which is also a chrony when I bolt it to the tripod I dont tighten the bolt to much cause it seems to want to close it some.

I bought an old sportco on CGN a few years ago and just started to play with it I may try some of this powder , I know it likes varget with 155 palma bullets but I wouldn't mind the extra speed.

CFE223 has potential, I just starting to think my rifle doesn't like it . The 155 Palma may be too light though, the speed seems to favor the heavier stuff.