CFE-223 instead of Varget?

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yotawheeler

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I was just wondering what some of the more experienced reloaders though of using the CFE-223 in place of Varget. the CFE from what i have read should be a cleaner powder pushing bullets a bit quicker when approaching maximum loads than some of the alternatives. its a spherical powder, should meter nicely and throw consistent charges without measuring every load. the other thing that i find interesting and important to me is that it shouldn't be effected my temperature fluctuations (want to be able to shoot at the range in +35 and i hunt in Sask down to -30 before i say bugger it, its too cold). other important thing is that it might be more available and reasonably priced.

thoughts, opinions?
 
I have recently used both for 223 and find the CFE much better both in metering and accuracy on the range. If you do your research you will find that most shooters recommend CFE for 223 over Varget as well.
 
yotawheeler said:
I was just wondering what some of the more experienced reloaders though of using the CFE-223 in place of Varget. the CFE from what i have read should be a cleaner powder pushing bullets a bit quicker when approaching maximum loads than some of the alternatives. its a spherical powder, should meter nicely and throw consistent charges without measuring every load. the other thing that i find interesting and important to me is that it shouldn't be effected my temperature fluctuations (want to be able to shoot at the range in +35 and i hunt in Sask down to -30 before i say bugger it, its too cold). other important thing is that it might be more available and reasonably priced.

thoughts, opinions?
Click to expand...

I used 175 SMKs over CFE 223 in my 308 last year as my match load for PR. I switched from Varget to get the extra velocity, about 75 FPS more. Accuracy was good (sub-MOA) but I don't have good info on temp sensitivity as my testing was all done in the spring and summer.

Out of the old stock 20" barrel I was getting 2695 FPS with the 175 SMK over 47.3 gr CFE 223, tested at 25.4 Celsius.

I am getting about 2848 FPS out of the new Benchmark 24" barrel with the 175 SMK over 47.3 gr CFE 223, tested at 14.2 Celsius.

Be careful with these loads, they are at near max and pretty stout.
 
CFC and all new IMR 4166 etc are double base powders and they will spike and can blow primers in the hot days.
The only two I know that works are Varget & H4895 in heat
Manitou
 
interesting....I have 1lb of Varget powder that is brand new, haven't loaded a case out of it but I'm getting concerned about availability as i can almost never find it and i did manage to find it at a local gun shops twice in the past year or two but the stuff i got was $45/lb and the last time i saw it was over $50/lb....so I'm really wondering if i should even bother trying to work up a load for my .308 with a powder that seems to be worth its weight in gold and extremely difficult to find
 
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