Just picked up a pound of this new powder today, has anyone tried it yet? It looks to give excellent velocities in the 55 and 60 grain bullet weights in .223, which is what I shoot the most of. Supposed to prevent copper fouling as well, which isn't much of a concern in my rifle anyway, but is a bonus. I'm hoping to load some up tonight and hit the range tomorrow, weather permitting!
cfe 223
- Thread starter nshunter
- Start date
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,538
- 6,606
I have it on order, but it isn't here yet.
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,440
- 3,464
Found this write-up:
Hodgdon CFE 223
308 Winchester
Once fired, full length resized, Hornady match brass trimmed to min length.
Federal Gold Metal Match primers.
175 SMK seated to 2.795 O.A.L. light crimp (1/4 turn in)
Hodgdon CFE 223
Test rifle DPMS 308 LR 24 inch stainless, CM trigger, Vortex 6.5-20 BDC 1 in 10 twist
Very good-looking groups. 100 Yards
All groups measure less than 1 MOA
The 47.2g and 47.4g all bullets are touching and can be covered by a Quarter ($.25)
Once fired, full length resized, Hornady match brass trimmed to min length.
Federal Gold Metal Match primers.
168 Ballistic Silver Tip seated to 2.795 O.A.L. light crimp (1/4 turn in)
Hodgdon CFE 223
Test rifle DPMS 308 LR 24 inch stainless, CM trigger, Vortex 6.5-20 BDC 1 in 10 twist
Very consistent groups. 100 Yards
I ran two control groups:
Winchester Supreme 168 BST. Grouped at 1.25 inches. Did not Chronograph
Same brass/primer as above with my pet load of BLC2 and Combined Tech BST.
Hand loaded Ballistic Silver Tip load averages 2651fps with ES of 37.32, SD of 13.6 and
shoots a group about the size of a quarter at 100 yards.
The 48.3-48.5-48.7 all bullets are touching. The 48.7 is 4 bullets in to a hole measuring
.45 inches with one bullet low but still touching the main group. Looks really good for a
gas gun. I will build some loads and shoot them in my 1 in 12, 26inch bolt gun and post
the results soon.
As for cleaning I ran a bore snake two repetitions every 5 shots. Powder seems to be very
clean. All strings 5 shots.
Environment: 2560 MSL, 35 to 40 F and 1-2 MPH headwind
Looks to be about 100fps faster and just as accurate as any powder I have tried in the last 25 years.
Hodgdon CFE 223
308 Winchester
Once fired, full length resized, Hornady match brass trimmed to min length.
Federal Gold Metal Match primers.
175 SMK seated to 2.795 O.A.L. light crimp (1/4 turn in)
Hodgdon CFE 223
Test rifle DPMS 308 LR 24 inch stainless, CM trigger, Vortex 6.5-20 BDC 1 in 10 twist
Very good-looking groups. 100 Yards
All groups measure less than 1 MOA
The 47.2g and 47.4g all bullets are touching and can be covered by a Quarter ($.25)
Once fired, full length resized, Hornady match brass trimmed to min length.
Federal Gold Metal Match primers.
168 Ballistic Silver Tip seated to 2.795 O.A.L. light crimp (1/4 turn in)
Hodgdon CFE 223
Test rifle DPMS 308 LR 24 inch stainless, CM trigger, Vortex 6.5-20 BDC 1 in 10 twist
Very consistent groups. 100 Yards
I ran two control groups:
Winchester Supreme 168 BST. Grouped at 1.25 inches. Did not Chronograph
Same brass/primer as above with my pet load of BLC2 and Combined Tech BST.
Hand loaded Ballistic Silver Tip load averages 2651fps with ES of 37.32, SD of 13.6 and
shoots a group about the size of a quarter at 100 yards.
The 48.3-48.5-48.7 all bullets are touching. The 48.7 is 4 bullets in to a hole measuring
.45 inches with one bullet low but still touching the main group. Looks really good for a
gas gun. I will build some loads and shoot them in my 1 in 12, 26inch bolt gun and post
the results soon.
As for cleaning I ran a bore snake two repetitions every 5 shots. Powder seems to be very
clean. All strings 5 shots.
Environment: 2560 MSL, 35 to 40 F and 1-2 MPH headwind
Looks to be about 100fps faster and just as accurate as any powder I have tried in the last 25 years.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,538
- 6,606
Scotty,
I'm thinking it might work with the 358 and the 338 Federal.
I'm thinking it might work with the 358 and the 338 Federal.
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
- 1,763
- 0
Just what we need...another powder to clutter the shelf!!
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
- 1,763
- 0
Notice that cool old school can of Winchester powder behind the dispenser 8)! I like the predominance of Alliant powders.
- Thread starter
- #10
Got out to the range for a bit today, conditions weren't great though, cold and windy! I loaded up 15 with 55 grain hornady sp and 10 with 55 grain v-max. Neither were real accurate but it might have been more the shooter than anything else as I may have been rushing my shots a bit due to the cold. On the plus side I ran them right up to max load with no signs of excessive pressure. I still need to try it with some of my more accurate bullets like sierra GK and varminter before I decide anything.
