CFE 223 in 7.62x45r

[Jeeping]

Has any one tried Hodgdon's CFE223 in 7.62x54r? I got a boat load of it from all of my 223s and want to know if it will be a good powder for the russian.

 

[Craigman]

A lot of people use Varget and its similar burn speed. Should be fine. I have used it in a .375 HH with good results too

 

[ssyoumans]

I use varget and H4895 in mine. Picked up some CFE to try out in 223, been thinking about testing it as a potential to replace several ball powders, W748, TAC, AA2230. Haven't gotten around to it yet.

How did it work for you in 223? Is it a keeper?

 

[4895]

I've had the best results with IMR-4064 in my Mosin Nagant M-38. I haven't worked a lot of loads in the caliber but with Sierra .311" 150 grain bullets it holds its own with a $30 scope and 1.5" - 2.0" group at 100 yards. Good enough for hunting around here.

 

[Jeeping]

The CFE223 worked great in 223, I tested it with number of different bullet weights in my AR and bolt guns, all gave great results. Sense it's available at fairly good price I picked up 8lbs jug and have loaded 1k rounds for my AR. It seems to burn cleaner then varget and I don't have to clean the copper fouling.
Back to the 7.62, I loaded up some test rounds going of the 308 loading data. The Hornady's 150GR SP shot great, four loads that I have tried were all under two inches at a 100. The slower one was very close to an inch, and all those where with iron sights. My chrony refused to work today, so no velocity readings. So the new CFE will be my go to powder for now.