Cfe 223

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Prayerst6

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Has anyone used this new powder? They claim it is good for 223, I went to Al Simmons to get H335 but they were out of stock. So impulse took over and for some reason without doing any research I bought 4lbs of CFE 223 by Hodgdon *facepalm*:)

Does have any experience with this stuff or know of any good loads for 223?
 
I would start with Hodgon`s web site, if they don`t list it your in trouble.:) It was intended to reduce copper fouling, haven`t tried any but i`ll likely pick up a can to try. I use powder i know will perform in what ever cartridge i load it in but like to try new stuff as well.
 
I have been playing with it a bit. Mostly in 308 win, I had good luck with 190 gn SMK's although I find there is a lot of room in the case with the heavier bullets.

I am waiting for a slow twist 223 to show up in the mail here any day to test some 45gn Nosler Ballistic tips for varmint destruction.


What are you planning on doing with it? It burns much like BL-C2 so it does have a lot of potential for a wide range of chamberings.
 
CanuckWR said:
I have been playing with it a bit. Mostly in 308 win, I had good luck with 190 gn SMK's although I find there is a lot of room in the case with the heavier bullets.

I am waiting for a slow twist 223 to show up in the mail here any day to test some 45gn Nosler Ballistic tips for varmint destruction.


What are you planning on doing with it? It burns much like BL-C2 so it does have a lot of potential for a wide range of chamberings.
Click to expand...

Why do you need a slow twist for 45grain. I shoot 36-55 out of my 1-9 twist the light ones shoot just as good as the 53's

If I could find this powder here I would try it out. Seems like a good one to use
 
AlbertaGunslinger said:
I dont know if you have a reloading maunal but that or hodgdons website will have info. My manual says for a 55GR bullet max load is 27.8 grains.
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Ty sir. My Hornaday 8th Edition doesn't have this powder and my Lyman 49th Edition doesn't list it either. Only found 1 source online :s


I figure I'll start at 25.8 or 26 enough spice for my plinking loads
 
hometownhero said:
Why do you need a slow twist for 45grain. I shoot 36-55 out of my 1-9 twist the light ones shoot just as good as the 53's

If I could find this powder here I would try it out. Seems like a good one to use
Click to expand...

I don't NEED a slow twist. The rifle I bought just happens to have a 12 twist barrel.

This is what happens when you accidentally buy a box of 40gn bullets.... A new rifle shows up in the mail.... Lol.
 
I started some test with it and Berger VLD 80 grains in my 223. It is a new to me barrel, so I have nothing to compare too, but so far everything works fine.

I will be testing 60 grain Varmint bullet with that powder also.
 
The Hodgdon site has data for this powder.I have loaded both 60 gr hdy sp and the 60 gr v-max with it useing 25.2 gr both loads are sub moa and the v-max was actually under 1/2moa at 100yds.
 
26 grains of CFE223 behind a 60 gr. Varmint Berger bullet gives me this at 100m

Tir7juillet002.jpg


And 24.5 behind a 80 gr. VLD gives me this.

Tir7juillet001.jpg


So far I like it
 
What this called?

CanuckWR said:
I don't NEED a slow twist. The rifle I bought just happens to have a 12 twist barrel.

This is what happens when you accidentally buy a box of 40gn bullets.... A new rifle shows up in the mail.... Lol.
Click to expand...

Its reassuring to know I'm not suffering alone from the ailment you describe. Any lame-ass reason will do when it comes to acquiring more toys.
 
Fire306 said:
My 222 was pushing 50 gr Hornady SPSX's 3350fps today. 26.5grs of CFE 223.
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Follow up, I went to range again on the 12th, the temp was near 30C. I shot a 5 shot group at 100 yards with this load. Great group, under 1/2", then passed the rifle over to a friend who wanted to try it offhand at some steel silhouettes. He shot 2 shots that didn't connect. He was confident in shot, so i handed him a 3rd round. When he fired, I could see the grey streak through the air, the bullets weren't reaching the 100yd targets, completely coming apart in the air.

I'm not sure what the max velocity is for Hornady SPSX's at 1-14 twist, but apparently that charge of CFE 223, will push them past it when the weather and barrel is hot. I knew that SPSX's couldn't handle super high velocities, but I didn't think my 222 would ever push them past it. First time I have ever seen it happen in any rifle. Pretty cool to see.
 
CFE-223 Range Raport
August 19, 2012

The Gun: Tikka T3 Lite, 223 Rem, 22", 1-8", Factory Stock.
Scope: Minox ZA5 4-20x50

Perspective:

I'm very happy with my Tikka for the most part, but I hate cleaning copper.
The average range visit of 80 rounds can take over a week of soaking with Hoppes Benchrest to clear out.

I've been very impressed with the performance, efficiency, and accuracy of IMR 8208 XBR powder in my rifle for 100y Grouping. I chose to try CFE223 for the sake of cutting down on copper fouling as advertised.

First Impressions: Toooo Slooooooowwwwwww.

Based on my practices, it's too slow for the 223 cartridge in a bolt gun. Perhaps this opinion will change when I try it in an AR. It's burn rate is supposedly similar but slower then BL-2. I lean towards burn rates between 4198 - 4895 for 223, with 3031 being the sweet spot and 8208 when I want something a touch slower.

It's NO-GO in an M14/M1a/M305.

I think I might find it useful in my Mosin Nagant.

The Rest of the Load:

Bullet: Hornady 75g BTHP 223
Primer: Federal G205M, Small Rifle Match.
Brass: R-P .223, Neck Sized using Lee Collet.
OAL: 2.275"

Chony Data:

PLEASE BE ADVISED: I started with load data for this weight bullet from the Hodgon website, and they proved to be grossly under pressure and velocity for my application.
Results my very.

23.0g - 2369
24.0g - 2415
24.5g - 2489
25.0g - 2641
25.5g - 2635
26.0g - 2799
26.5g - 2879

There are discrepancies with the 24, 24.5, 25.5 data. I got chrony errors during those strings so I don't have the same average as I do with the other charge weights.

Velocities are based on a 5 shot average. I got data on all 5 shots of the 25g charge so I regard it as being accurate over the three flawed datas. These errors are a moot point as I found that anything less then 25g with this load is under powdered.

Any loads tested under 25 showed signs of Under Pressure. The gun did not have the same snap that is does with a proper load and the primers were popped out. The Chrony errors were a listed of less the 2000fps which I'm not sure if it's a read error or an actual dud due to inefficient combustion.

26.5 appears to be MY max load for MY gun with these components.
Primers were subtly flattened as consistent with a max load.
I believe I could go to 27g or beyond, but I think I found a decent combustion sweet spot in the 26g area and will work from there to accurize. The Velocity I'm getting from this range is also more then enough for my twist rate using that bullet. My Most Accurate loads using 8208 and this bullet are ~2670fps.

Please Note: I was unable to fill the case with any of the loads listed . . . and that's not a short bullet.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: My OAL is set to 2.275" NOT 2.5" according to hodgon website.
The partly explains the lack of velocity compared to their load data, but is quite a bit leaner then one would expect from that difference in OAL. 2.275 is a previously established sweet spot for that bullet in my rifle using 3031 and 8208 powder.

After Range Report:

Unfortunately I saw no considerable reduction in Copper Fouling, and in fact had greater powder/carbon fouling due to the inefficient combustion. In my opinion, this powder is too slow for my application.

I believe there might have been some reduction in copper fouling but it was a cooler day compared to previous range sessions which can also yield less fouling. This powder may be a good alternative to those who use slow powders such as Varget for Hot Rodded loads.

Hopefully, I can find a reduction of carbon fouling once I find the sweet spot for this powder in my load.

Groups: Not really. Still working on it. The powder has yet to yield accuracy better then 8208 in my rifle.
 
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