It's been a while since I called somebody out and pissed them off, but here we go.
They list 222 for both CFE 223 and CFE BLK, and 222 is a slightly shorter version of the 223 so the round fits the same bore and basic application.
Texas 10mm, Saying that "There's a DAMN good reason Hodgdon doesn't have CFE BLack data for the .223" sounds disingenuous as you are either making a guess, or an assumption, either way, your statement makes you sound like you do not understand how the different gun powders work in relation to pressure, burning speed and barrel length.
When you look up 357 Magnum for pistol data and rifle data in most reloading manuals, IT'S THE SAME DATA ALL USING PISTOL POWDERS!
Pistol powders will work in rifles, it's just less efficient, just like using a moped engine in a 3800 lb full sized car will get you where you want to go eventually, just not as fast as you would want or expect.
The only reasons I can think of is that per pound of powder, you have to buy more CFE 223 powder for the same number of shots as CFE BLK.
Perhaps they also assume differing barrel lengths like .223 in a 24" barrel and 222 in a 16" barrel?
Hodgden lists the CFE 223 and the CFE BLK for the 222.
222 using the 50 grain projectile and CFE BLK uses 15.8 grains (@2744 ft/s @41,500 PSI) to 18.7 grains (@3026 ft/s @49,400 PSI).
222 using the 50 grain projectile and CFE 223 uses 24.1 grains (@2970 ft/s @35,200 PSI) to 26.2 grains (@3268 ft/s @47,600 PSI).
Either powder will work for 5.56, it's just a question of do you want faster powder for a shorter barrel or slower powder for a longer barrel and do you want the case to be more "full" of powder or less, and does the extra 200+ fps matter to you.
It's just that
BLK powder burns faster, reaching a higher pressure quicker, while using less powder, but looses some top end velocity as it quits burning sooner and stops accelerating the bullet for a longer distance before it leaves the barrel.
223 powder burns slower, reaches a lower total pressure but gains some top end velocity as it keeps burning for a longer time pushing the bullet at it's top pressure for a longer distance while in the barrel.
I'm betting
CFE 223 would also work better in a .223 that is in a 24 inch barrel than a 14 inch barrel
and
CFE BLK would also work better in a .223 that is in a 14 inch barrel than a 24 inch barrel
Just for reference.
If you refer to the data in the Richard Lee Second Edition of Reloading and compare the 222, 223 and 222 Magnum as they are the same basic case just each one being slightly longer version of the other shorter one and being able to hold a little more powder.
They are all using the same powder H4198 and the same 63 grain projectile.
The 222 shows case length @ 1.700" and 1.68cc useful case capacity uses a range of 16 to 18 grains of powder.
The 223 shows case length @ 1.760" and 1.87cc useful case capacity uses a range of 18 to 20 grains of powder.
The 222 Magnum case length @ 1.850" and 1.89cc useful case capacity uses a range of 18,5 to 20.5 grains of powder.