Load suggestions for CFE223 in 223 Rem

frankm · Dec 19, 2013

Wasn't able to hunt down any varget in past few weeks but did get some CFE223. Been loading 25.5 grs of Varget in Rem brass with Fed 205 and 65 game Sierra GK and getting sub-MOA groups out of Ruger MKII with 1-9 twist.

Anybody got experience with CFE and bullets in the 60 plus grain range? Would appreciate any input, OCW type info and so forth. Thanks guys!

nshunter · Jan 1, 2014

I used it with a 65 grain sierra bullet with decent results, but having trouble remembering my charge right now. I know it was close to max though and shot pretty good last year, but when I went to check the same load this year it didn't shoot nearly as well and i switched over to varget. I tried it with a 60 grain Hornady sp as well though and it shot very well, but once again don't remember the exact charge, it was again close to max though.

muleman · Jan 1, 2014

This might help. Sorry I don't have Q/L but some others may chime in shortly.
Scott

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure

40 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.280" 27.5 3457 40,600 PSI 29.0 3667 48,200 PSI
45 GR. SIE SP Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.240" 27.5 3358 40,800 PSI 29.0 3536 47,200 PSI
50 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.210" 27.0 3241 41,500 PSI 28.5 3505 53,600 PSI
53 GR. SIE HP Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.200" 27.0 3245 45,900 PSI 28.5 3415 52,900 PSI
55 GR. BAR TSX FB Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.180" 24.7 3065 44,600 PSI 27.4 3317 54,000 PSI
55 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.200" 26.0 3133 43,300 PSI 27.8 3329 51,300 PSI
60 GR. HDY V-MAX Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.250" 25.0 3007 46,000 PSI 26.7 3176 53,400 PSI
62 GR. SFT SCIR Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.260" 23.8 2884 44,100 PSI 25.9 3110 53,700 PSI
63 GR. SIE SP Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.200" 25.0 2957 46,300 PSI 26.4 3113 53,500 PSI
69 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.235" 23.5 2788 43,800 PSI 25.8 3029 54,600 PSI
70 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.140" 23.0 2719 45,600 PSI 24.7 2900 53,800 PSI
75 GR. JLK VLD Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.250" 23.0 2680 45,200 PSI 25.0 2876 54,400 PSI
77 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.260" 22.5 2627 45,400 PSI 24.3 2811 53,500 PSI
80 GR. SIE MK Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.550" 23.0 2638 46,700 PSI 24.4 2785 53,600 PSI
82 GR. BER BT TARG Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.375" 21.7 2518 44,000 PSI 23.5 2724 53,300 PSI
90 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.380" 21.0 2391

mtwarych · Jan 5, 2014

I use 26 grains of CFE223 for 62gr fmj loads. This load shoots well for the 5 ar platform rifles in my family. I don't think it is required, but I use small rifle magnum primer with this load.

andrewctillman · Jan 21, 2014

I also use the CCI450 magnum primer with CFE23. It gave much more consistant results with the 64 grain Nosler bonded solid base than a WSR primer which showed sudden increase in pressure/velocity.

You did not say if you were shooitng a NATO or Remington chamber. I was able to exceed maximum load listed in recent Nosler manual for NATO chambers without difficulty.

CFE was also useful with the 75 grain Hornady BTHP. Oddly enough, with the heavier bullet the WSR worked just fine all the way up to 2900 fps froma 20 inch barrel. Amazing velocity potential with the 75 grain bullet.

Stick with one primer at a time. CCI450 usualy requires 0.5 grain less powder in a 223, sometimes even more! I was plesantly surprised that CFE223 liked the CCI so well with the heavy Nosler.

It is a fairly dirty powder, but I am shooting it in 16 and 20 inch barrels.

I plan on trying it in 22-250 improved if anyone has data for that.

andrewctillman · Jan 27, 2014

Muleman,

What was the barrel length from your Hodgen data?

Bolt or gas gun?

muleman · Jan 27, 2014

The only specs on the data are 223 not 5.56. I suspect the data was from a bolt gun because they also included some reduced loads with Trail boss, Clays and Tightgroup that wouldn't function in a semi auto. I cut and pasted this info from their website. Hogdon didn't specify anything else.

Scott

andrewctillman · Jan 28, 2014

Well I made 2905 - 2935 fps from a 16 inch barrel with the CFE223 and a CCI 450 primer in Winchester brass.

this equals Winchester Q3313 and Ranger RA556B FBI load.

2/10 grain difference is all between the two. Will try them both for accuracy next.

Will also try other brands of brass including LC.

Wish Nosler had published NATO pressure loads for this bullet.

It took 6 powders and three primers to figure out the recipe.