Cfe 223 in .308?
- Thread starter savagelh
- Start date
Same here. Tagged for interest.
I found the Hodgdon data for CFE223 to be very hot for .308. I did several ladder tests comparing BL-C2 to CFE223 with 147gr FMJ-BT's, IVI/GD once fired brass, and CCI 200's loaded to 2.800" and shot from my well massaged 700 AAC-SD @ 80degF. I started experiencing signs of overpressure with 50.0gr of CFE which averaged 2891fps from my 20" barrel but accuracy was abysmal. My most accurate CFE load was 48.2gr @ 2822fps giving a 2.1" 5-shot group at 100yrds. This is compared to my best BL-C2 group using 47.6gr @ 2847fps giving a 1.6" 5-shot group at 100yards. Neither group was exceptional, but keep in mind I was using bulk M80 style bullets from a 1:10" twist barrel, the idea was to work up a good plinking load not a precision match load. Overall BL-C2 provided much better accuracy and lower SD's throughout the range. CFE223 also produced a noticeable increase in the amount of carbon fouling vs. BL-C2. The burn rates of these powders are so similar that the velocity difference is negligible in a 20" barrel, either will provide butt naked velocities within the pressure range. I found both of these powders to be EXTREMELY sensitive to temperature, so be VERY mindful of what temperatures you're testing your handloads!
3000fps may be possible with a 150gr bullet using CFE223 in a 24" or 26" barrel, but my bet is that accuracy will suffer. Velocity is nothing if you can't hit the target!
3000fps may be possible with a 150gr bullet using CFE223 in a 24" or 26" barrel, but my bet is that accuracy will suffer. Velocity is nothing if you can't hit the target!
- Location
- Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Thanks for posting Vader. I looked at some other manuals and it cfe looks a lot better in the hodgdon manual but velocity in other books is right on par with blc2 and varget and a few other powders I have on hand. Accuracy is paramount to my and temp stability is quite important too.
- Location
- Near Edmonton, AB
I got CFE223 for heavier bullets in .308. I used it with some Berger 210 VLDs with acceptable results, about 2450 fps out of a 22" barrel, just about MOA accuracy. My goal was to develop a round with maximum knockdown power inside of 300 yards. I eventually moved away from the idea and went back to 185 Hunting VLDs. I found the CFE223 to meter very well, it's made of small spherical kernels, compared to longer extruded kernels in IMR4064. I have about 1.75 lbs left, I intend to compare it with Varget and 4064 for my current target load, that'll be a project for the summer.
I played with CFE223 a bit in my old savage 10 and never really found it to be "accurate" compared to 4064 OR Varget. Ended up using it to feed my M305 as it ran amazingly well in my dillon 650 for bulk reloading. I will admit that the velocity you can get was impressive though, almost worth the work to chase accuracy.
I played with this powder in .308 with 147 grain Campro's and found it to be very accurate, but as usual, the Hogdgon data is rather optimistic. It meters like poop through a goose and that is sometimes good enough for me when a person is loading for bulk.
Never had any issues. And I've developed 1/3moa and better loads using BR2's. Actually, I don't think I've ever heard of using magnum primers with BLC2 for .308. I guess I haven't gotten around as much as you.
