CFE Pistol for 45 Colt?

It seems like it would be fine in the 45 Colt. It is listed for a large range of calibers.

Even the infamous Brad Miller tested it but not in 45 Colt but in several calibers.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ballistics/fast-look-hodgdon-cfe-pistol-powder/

I can pretty much "bet" you will have no copper fouling with your bullets.

I've not tried it, but the load data make it look like the burn rate works out swimmingly for 45LC. Seems like the chances are just as good as 40 or 9mm. I've only used CFP in 9mm so far, but did choose it in part based on how well velocity and pressure works out for a wide range of popular handgun cartridges including 45LC.

I have been using CFE Pistol with 250/g LRNFP(coated) & 250/g XTP's.

No complaints running them through my 1873 Reproduction.

Only tried one load under 255 LRNFP but accuracy was so bad I only loaded 20 rounds and moved on. YMMV

CFE Pistol works in the 45 colt as long as pressures are kept up. For example, I've had good luck with 10 to 11 grains, CCI-300 primers, Speer 300 gr JSP at 1.665" OAL. About 900 to 1000 fps, respectively, from a 6.5" S&W Model 25. Consistent velocity and clean cases.

But...with 11 grains, Rainier 200 gr HP, Fed 155 primers, 900 fps with huge velocity spreads. The spent cases were 40% covered in soot, also. Even the magnum primer can't fix lack of pressure due to light, soft, plated bullet.

All powder is that way to one extent or another - and it's always a significant extent. But yes, it is well known that CFE-P produces best accuracy in upper-mid to top-end velocities, for any cartridge or bullet weight. I don't think there are many ball powders you can under-load to where the cases are terribly sooty and still get good accuracy, it's just that faster burning powders reach max pressures at much lower velocities.

That said, I'm unconvinced by those that claim CFE-P to be terribly clean burning. Even in max loads I can't match the cleanliness exhibited by my 115gr. Blazer Brass factory loads, even when using a CCI primer and plated bullet as they do. I'm sure the copper fouling additive contributes, but if you put a small amount of CFE-P in a pile on pavement and light it off it leaves a heavy, gummy residue that to me demonstrates it's a double-base powder, and not the cleanest one.

CrankyCraig said:

Just Curious, I was considering loading up some 250gr LRNFP bullets with some CFE Pistol for the range for my 5.5" Ruger New Vaquero.

Has anyone tried that powder with 45 Colt? If so how did it go?

I see Hogdon has the load data for it on their website. So far I've loaded 40 S&W as well as 9mm with the CFE pistol powder & really like it.

Click to expand...

I have become fond of both CFE Pistol and CFE223 as of the last 8-9 months because in my area it is readily available and cheaper than most others. As far as the pistol goes, I have had very good success with 9mm, .38 Special, .44 Special, and .45 ACP as far as medium velocity range fodder goes. Prior to this my go to economy powder for these calibers was HP38. CFE offers slightly higher velocities, a cleaner shoot, and just a tad more recoils with my chosen load than the old HP38. As for .45 Colt though, for me the accuracy just wasn't there with the CFE to warrant regular use of that powder. Blue Dot is hard to beat in the .45 Colt target loads; its pleasant to shoot, laser accurate, and stretches a good ways. That being said, CFE did produce acceptable loads for .45 Colt, and it shot very clean and low flash/smoke so it is also pleasant to shoot and I don't want to say it's bad because it's not. The main kicker for me was the accuracy. I don't use these loads for anything but silhouette and target shooting so for me accuracy is the main/only concern. Velocity or energy doesn't concern me for this type of duty.
With a lead 250 I would start around 8.3-8.5gr CFE and work up to around 9 and see where the sweet spot is for you. If using jacketed 250s start a little lower, maybe 8gr and cap off around 8.7-8.8. I typically run a 1.596" OAL for my 250gr target loads and use a standard LP primer.
For The most accurate load with this powder/caliber combo, I found it hard to beat a 200gr XTP behind 9.5gr of CFE seated to 1.6". Velocities are good, accuracy is good and it could even be used for some light hunting or defense work in a pinch, although for hunting I would prefer a 250gr or larger pill. My blue dot 250gr loads still group the best overall, but the above mentioned 200gr XTP load shoots as good or better than any factory 225 I've ever found with similar weight and feel.
If your interested in some very heavy loads, try the 300 grain Sierra flat point behind 7gr of the CFE seated long at 1.675". Recoil and pressure is still mild but penetration is more than enough to hunt small to medium game with at reasonable distance.

*For reference I use mostly Federal/American Eagle and Winchester commercial brass for my .45 Colt target loads, so all above loads were developed with one of those cases.