CFE 223 with 52 grain Bergers?

[_Westy_]

As the title states, is anyone using CFE 223 paired with 52 grain Match Grade Varmint bullets from Berger in their .223?

I've got a few boxes of the 52 grain Bergers that I want to start load development with and was hoping to try out the new Hodgdon CFE 223 powder. I picked up the new Berger reloading manual and for their 52 grainers CFE 223 isn't one of the listed powders. In fact I don't remember seeing CFE223 in there at all (guessing it came out after that portion of the book was written).

I've sent mail to both Berger and Hodgdon but haven't heard back (they are probably way behind on emails these days).

I do have a couple other powders I can use (Reloader 10x and Benchmark) if the CFE doesn't work out.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

well if this helps you i like 26.gr of CFE under a 55gr bullet

 

[788Ham]

Load up 15 to 20 with the Benchmark, if its shown in your reload book. Then when you figure out about the CFE223, you'll be set to try that. Good luck.

 

[muletrain]

I have just loaded 100 rd. using cfe223 with 55gr and used 26 as a starting point. will drop the pin on them tomorrow and let you know what kind of group I obtain at 100yd.
powder was found to be very fluffy so had to stack disk in the lee press, no you may not find any info on the powder in some of the books. I did find listed/load in the hodgdon's 2012 annual manual, that's where I came up with the start load.

 

[_Westy_]

Thanks muletrain...interested in hearing how they work out for you.

I'll double check my Berger book but I believe both Benchmark and Reloader 10x were listed. I can work up loads with those until I come across data for the CFE 223 powder.

My new neck bushing will be here tomorrow so maybe tomorrow night I can get started.

 

[Shagg]

I loaded some 53gr Hornady HP match with 28gr CFE 223. Got good results. MOA accuracy and around 3100 fps out of a 22" bbl.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Though not a Berger bullet the new Hornady manual lists their 52gr and 53gr A-Max, V-Max and BTHP bullets with CFE223 and the data listed is 25.3gr to 28.0gr. Hornady used Win WSR primers and the loads were shot in a Remington 700 rifle with a 26" barrel.
25.6gr 2900 fps
26.2gr 3000 fps
26.8gr 3100 fps
27.4gr 3200 fps
28.0gr 3300 fps
I'm guessing the 52gr Burger bullets will show similar results and at least you have a safe starting point.

 

[_Westy_]

I appreciate the info ArchAngelCD!