CFE 223 loads for Sierra 69 gr Match King

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BigBob1

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I just ordered some 69gr Sierra Match Kings. Only powder I have is CFE 223 which seems to do fine with 55gr Hornadys + 27.5 grs. Get around 1.5 MOA from them in ARs.

Curious on how much if any better the 69grs will group with CFE 223. Anyone here try this combo?

Will be shooting from Colt 1/7 twist LE6920s and 1/9 twist as well as 11.5" 1/7.
 
It should do good. My rifle prefers RL15 with the 75gr Hornady BTHP but I also use CFE 223, the difference in group size is like splitting hairs, sometimes it depends how the angle of my jaw is held open.
 
I ran a ladder with the RMR 69 BTHP. 25.2-25.8 I got my best accuracy and lowest SD (7) from the 25.2@ 2800 fps from my 20” AR.
2887 with the 25.8 load
For some unknown reason that I didn’t put in my notes, I ran 26.1gr. through my 16” AR for 2667 fps.
 
I load 69gr RMR HP-BT, which are half the price Sierra match kings.
I use leverevolution which is pretty close to 223cfe. Use 26gr and get 2,950 out of a 1:7 rifle, 27gr gives smashed primers and ejector shear marks. Don't use 27gr.
At 100yd I was getting right about 1.4 inch groups with my A2, with carry handle A2 sites.

I never tried loading M193 bullets with powder slower than w748, my best 55gr fmj-bt load does over 2 inches at 100yd. I want to say it's closer to 2.5 inches.
 
MakBaba said:
I ran a ladder with the RMR 69 BTHP. 25.2-25.8 I got my best accuracy and lowest SD (7) from the 25.2@ 2800 fps from my 20” AR.
2887 with the 25.8 load
For some unknown reason that I didn’t put in my notes, I ran 26.1gr. through my 16” AR for 2667 fps.
Click to expand...
Thats CFE grains right?
for the 69 gr looks like 24-26gr range. Maybe 24.0, 24.5, 25.0, 25.5, 26.0, four batches of 10 to start with?
 
N555 said:
27gr gives smashed primers and ejector shear marks. Don't use 27gr.
At 100yd I was getting right about 1.4 inch groups with my A2, with carry handle A2 sites.
Click to expand...
CFE with 55gr I could not match m193 velocities even at 27.5 grs. Could be my batch of CFE was not as hot as what you tried. 27.4 grains was a mild load no primer issues, much weaker than store bought m193 from same gun.

55 gr hornady
CFE 27.4 gr colt AR - 2861 fps
M193 same gun - 3100 fps
No primer issues, a very mild round.
 
N555 said:
I load 69gr RMR HP-BT, which are half the price Sierra match kings.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the heads up on the 69gr RMR. Yea they are $81.00 for 500, I think I paid $134.00/500 for the Sierras.

Wonder if they are as good as the Sierra? Have you compared?
 
They are not match grade bullets but these are a hunting grade bullet. They are designed to expand. I get 1 moa groups out of them. i will be using these in place of the 65gr SGK. Same accuracy I get out of them.
 
BigBob1 said:
Thanks for the heads up on the 69gr RMR. Yea they are $81.00 for 500, I think I paid $134.00/500 for the Sierras.

Wonder if they are as good as the Sierra? Have you compared?
Click to expand...
Appear to be functionality the same.
The RMR bullets appear to fragment better, on water jugs at least.
I want to say the Sierras were shooting about 1.5 inches at 100yd, but I wasn't using leverevolution, so not a fair comparison.
 
No CFE 223 love?
Comon folks I have to use this stuff up.

Ok what OAL for AR15. Hodgedons says 2.235" Another says 2.245" and yet another says 2.250" and one says 2.260" I'm never going to hit the lands so more concered with good seating depth without the round almost falling out. I'm thinking 2.245"
 
BigBob1 said:
No CFE 223 love?
Comon folks I have to use this stuff up.

Ok what OAL for AR15. Hodgedons says 2.235" Another says 2.245" and yet another says 2.250" and one says 2.260" I'm never going to hit the lands so more concered with good seating depth without the round almost falling out. I'm thinking 2.245"
Click to expand...

I speculate Sierra will likely tell you 2.260" if you call them regarding bullet #1380 (69gr HPBT MatchKing).
 
BigBob1 said:
No CFE 223 love?
Comon folks I have to use this stuff up.

Ok what OAL for AR15. Hodgedons says 2.235" Another says 2.245" and yet another says 2.250" and one says 2.260" I'm never going to hit the lands so more concered with good seating depth without the round almost falling out. I'm thinking 2.245"
Click to expand...

It's my 22-250, 8x57, and light 260 load. It's far from stellar in 5.56 in my experience though.
I had to run max out over max loads to get accuracy in 5.56. Being so temp sensitive makes me shy away from max loads.
 
I have not yet found a 223 load w/CFE223 that excels. Not saying it can't be done. Just saying it's eluded me thus far.
 
Hodgdon's list that combo on their online data. The 69gr SMK should do very well with your twist rate, lot better than the 55gr. You should be able to get 1moa or smaller. I have not used CFE223 with the SMK's, just 55gr. I use Varget for the heavier pills, or TAC for any of the 223R loads.
 
BigBob1 said:
No CFE 223 love?
Comon folks I have to use this stuff up.

Ok what OAL for AR15. Hodgedons says 2.235" Another says 2.245" and yet another says 2.250" and one says 2.260" I'm never going to hit the lands so more concered with good seating depth without the round almost falling out. I'm thinking 2.245"
Click to expand...
Lots of love here. I’ve shot my smallest groups with CFE223 under the 69SMK and Hornady 62 HPBT, with the Hornady 62 SP not far behind.
Would love to try Varget, but I’ve never seen any.
 
MakBaba said:
Lots of love here. I’ve shot my smallest groups with CFE223 under the 69SMK and Hornady 62 HPBT, with the Hornady 62 SP not far behind.
Would love to try Varget, but I’ve never seen any.
Click to expand...
What load worked best from your AR?
The range I see when looking at Hornady, Hodgedons is 23.5 to 26.9 gr range.

Im starting with a 24-26gr range in .5 gr jumps then maybe dial it in tighter later on.
Just finished loading them up should be able to test Monday or so.

2.245" CCI41s + 69gr SMK
 
Nature Boy said:
I’ve never used CFE 223. My magic sauce for 69 SMKs is Varget.
20 shots at 100
Click to expand...
Yea I can see why you stick with that load. I'll try varget or Benchmark after I run out of CFE223.
Was that shot out of semi AR or bolt?
What power scope? Lead sled?
I just have a 4x Trijacon TA31RCO-M4 on my LE6920 doubt I can group that good. I do better with like 16x for tight groups.
 
I’ve found a hen with teeth, some fountain water that took off my wrinkles, and a pretty place where time seems to stop and every need was met, Shangr-something-something.

I was once blinded by this city up in the mountains that looked like the sun on fire. On this same trip I was attacked by an enormous bird that looked like it was made of clouds and sounded like a volcano.

I fixed the plowshare on my farm tractor with the beak of a sea creature I harpooned on vacation in Maine. The arm things were quite good with butter…

But, I have never seen a bottle of Varget in person.;)

I do keep several jugs of CFE223 on hand.
I love it.
It is the small rifle equivalent to my favorite pistol powder, H-110.
Phenomenal speed, impressive accuracy and easy loading. Just the right amount of fiddling to keep it in the sweet spot with the seasons.

I use a Hornady 75bthp with -(redacted)- to put very small irregular holes in paper far away, and have zero reason why a 69 wouldn’t do the same thing, slightly faster.

I haven’t found a wrong amount to put under a 55 grain bullet.:thumbup:
 
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