Cfe 223

[Steve H]

I came across a jug of CFE 223. With the powder supply as it is I bought it. I haven't heard any reports on it yet. I have used H335 quite a bit for my 556/223 loads. What are the opinions on CFE 223?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Everything i have heard about CFE223 is good. It produces high velocities and accuracy is also very good. AND, it actually does keep the copper from building up in the barrel!

 

[ssyoumans]

I've got a few lbs of it that I've lightly tested in 223 and 308

I ran 27.5gr of W748 and 27.5gr of CFE 223, 50gr VMax, mag primers. 32 degrees.
16" AR: W748 = 2987 fps. CFE = 2867 fps. 2 groups of 5 for each.
20" AR: W748 = 3038 fps. CFE = 2917 fps. 2 groups of 5 for each.
My observations: w748 provided better velocity and accuracy out of my 2 rifles. All groups were under 1.5" at 100 yards, but the W748 groups were a 1/4 - 1/2 smaller.
I didn't see the velocity improvements that Hodgdon touts.

Ran same tests using 26.5gr of each and 55gr VNE JHP, similar results.

For me, I'll stick with W748, but I see CFE as a viable alternative in these tight reloading times. Some people claim W748 is dirty, but it hasn't ever bothered me.

 

[ConcernedCitizen]

I've been interested in trying some for a while now, but haven't seen any locally yet.

Based on the load data, I'd say it's pretty similar to BL-C(2). I'm curious if it will have the same temperature sensitivity issue.

 

[GT1]

PV has this in right now. I grabbed a jug to try it out.

 

[45lcshooter]

There's plently of results of CFE 223. CFE223 prefers heavier grain bullets because of the pressure is higher.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have tried CFE223 in 17 Remington and 204 Ruger in both bolt and AR rifles.

The brief trial in 17 Remington did not ring my bell.

I like the load I have worked up in the 204 Ruger with 40 grain bullets.

Some day I will ty it in 223 Remington.

 

[Shagg]

I've used it in my 223 with 40, 50 & 53gr bullets with very good results.

 

[J_McLeod]

I've used it in my .223 with good results. So far I've tried Varget, H335, BL(c)-2 and CFE 223 in my AR. Of those, I'll CFE 223 when I can get it.

 

[Clark]

I necked down some Lapua 308 Palma brass with small primer pockets so I could get higher pressure.

With CCI 450 magnum small rifle primers and 120 gr Nos Bal Tip moly bullets, I could not get more than 40 gr of CFE 223 to go off.
Once I had a round go off a second after I pullet the trigger.

So it is not good for that, being a ball powder it is not easy to ignite.

But it is great for breaking in barrels.
Break in is basically clean out the Copper fouling until the rifle goes longer between cleanings without decreasing accuracy.
With CFE223, it seems like the barrel is already broken in, but keep shooting, it gets even better.

Some have suggested that CFE223 is the same thing as Ramshot TAC that has been around for a while. Hodgdon is just doing a better job of pushing it.

 

[hueyville]

I have been testing it with good results. I have not dialed in my loads but initial tries more than acceptable accuracy without real work up. I did a mid/high loading of 250 rounds with a 62 grain bullet known for copper fooling and sent them quickly down range in an AR with aggressive rifling that has a tendency to shear a bit more copper than other barrels. Been meaning to have it blackstarred but hoping it will smooth out before spending the extra money on a non match barrel. It seemed to not ne as bad as usual but I may have had preconceived notions during post mortem.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

GT1 thanks for the tip. Just ordered 24lbs. plus some other stuff

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've got a few lbs of it that I've lightly tested in 223 and 308

I ran 27.5gr of W748 and 27.5gr of CFE 223, 50gr VMax, mag primers. 32 degrees.
16" AR: W748 = 2987 fps. CFE = 2867 fps. 2 groups of 5 for each.
20" AR: W748 = 3038 fps. CFE = 2917 fps. 2 groups of 5 for each.
My observations: w748 provided better velocity and accuracy out of my 2 rifles. All groups were under 1.5" at 100 yards, but the W748 groups were a 1/4 - 1/2 smaller.
I didn't see the velocity improvements that Hodgdon touts.

Ran same tests using 26.5gr of each and 55gr VNE JHP, similar results.

For me, I'll stick with W748, but I see CFE as a viable alternative in these tight reloading times. Some people claim W748 is dirty, but it hasn't ever bothered me.

Maybe the CFE223 velocity is lower than W748 because you're charge of CFE223 was 1 full grain UNDER the Max of 28.5gr as listed by Hodgdon for a 50gr bullet and your charge of W748 is a full one and a half grain OVER the Max charge recommended by Hodgdon of 26.0gr.

 

[ssyoumans]

I felt I loaded both 1 full grain below max.
Hodgdon's data for W748 is not consistent with other sources and caps at 40,000 CUP where other rounds of Hodgdon data go up to 51,700 CUP.

So instead, I followed the data from Hornady, the bullet manufacturer, which lists 28.5gr as max, Lyman lists 29.0gr max, so I felt 27.5gr was 1 full gr under max, just as I loaded the CFE.

Right or wrong, that was my thinking.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I used the powder manufacturer's information which is current and up to date. You can't mix and match sources and remain consistent. I wasn't saying you were either right or wrong, I was just pointing out why the loads using CFE223 "seemed" to be generating less velocity than those made with W748. Your results would be different if you used data from the powder manufacturer especially since Hodgdon is listing your W748 load as over Max. Is it really over pressure, probably not because there are so many different variables involved in the process.

 

[Shmackey]

I don't think I can tell the difference between TAC and CFE. Which I suppose is a good review of CFE. TAC might be the best ball powder I've used in .223.