CFE BLK for 7.62x39

[NR53]

Late to the party, as usual. I picked up a pound of CFE BLK at my LGS last week since I've heard such good reviews from so many sources. I have been using AA1680 with very good results. But when I tried CFE BLK, I was quite shocked at the numbers I got from my chrony. This is from a 16 in AR 15 (.310 bore) chambered in x39 using 123 grain nosler VG, new Federal pulled brass and primers with an OAL of 2.19 inches.

28 grain, MV 2471 fps, no pressure signs
28.5 gr, MV 2576 fps, no pressure signs, best accuracy(one hole group at 50 yds.)
29 grain, MV 2643 fps, no pressure signs
29.5 gr, MV 2744 fps, flat primers

No pierced primers or ejector swipes at all with any of the loads. With once fired brass I realize that the MV will probably drop a little from new brass. YMMV
For me, this powder has added an additional 75-100 yards to my rifles effective range. Only problem is I still have ~ 10 pounds of AA 1680 left. I guess the 1680 will be for my plinking loads and the CFE BLK will be for my hunting loads. Thanks all, be safe.

 

[someguy2800]

Late to the party, as usual. I picked up a pound of CFE BLK at my LGS last week since I've heard such good reviews from so many sources. I have been using AA1680 with very good results. But when I tried CFE BLK, I was quite shocked at the numbers I got from my chrony. This is from a 16 in AR 15 (.310 bore) chambered in x39 using 123 grain nosler VG, new Federal pulled brass and primers with an OAL of 2.19 inches.

28 grain, MV 2471 fps, no pressure signs
28.5 gr, MV 2576 fps, no pressure signs, best accuracy(one hole group at 50 yds.)
29 grain, MV 2643 fps, no pressure signs
29.5 gr, MV 2744 fps, flat primers

No pierced primers or ejector swipes at all with any of the loads. With once fired brass I realize that the MV will probably drop a little from new brass. YMMV
For me, this powder has added an additional 75-100 yards to my rifles effective range. Only problem is I still have ~ 10 pounds of AA 1680 left. I guess the 1680 will be for my plinking loads and the CFE BLK will be for my hunting loads. Thanks all, be safe.

Be careful with that. Your well over max pressure for a 7.62x39 if your getting flattened primers. Don’t use the same pressure signs you would look for with a 5.56 AR. Due to the larger case diameter a 7.62x39 will have significantly more bolt thrust and you’ll likely start breaking bolt lugs off if you run it hot enough to flatten primers.

 

[NR53]

Be careful with that. Your well over max pressure for a 7.62x39 if your getting flattened primers. Don’t use the same pressure signs you would look for with a 5.56 AR. Due to the larger case diameter a 7.62x39 will have significantly more bolt thrust and you’ll likely start breaking bolt lugs off if you run it hot enough to flatten primers.

Been there, done that. I had some factory PPU 125 gr soft points that pierced and blew primers. Fired cases looked like a belted magnum. Only shot 3, that was more than enough. 28.5 grains of CFE BLK will be my go to load. It's most accurate and 2576 fps is plenty fast enough for an x39 and 123 grain bullets. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Toprudder]

Late to the party, as usual. I picked up a pound of CFE BLK at my LGS last week since I've heard such good reviews from so many sources. I have been using AA1680 with very good results. But when I tried CFE BLK, I was quite shocked at the numbers I got from my chrony. This is from a 16 in AR 15 (.310 bore) chambered in x39 using 123 grain nosler VG, new Federal pulled brass and primers with an OAL of 2.19 inches.

28 grain, MV 2471 fps, no pressure signs
28.5 gr, MV 2576 fps, no pressure signs, best accuracy(one hole group at 50 yds.)
29 grain, MV 2643 fps, no pressure signs
29.5 gr, MV 2744 fps, flat primers

No pierced primers or ejector swipes at all with any of the loads. With once fired brass I realize that the MV will probably drop a little from new brass. YMMV
For me, this powder has added an additional 75-100 yards to my rifles effective range. Only problem is I still have ~ 10 pounds of AA 1680 left. I guess the 1680 will be for my plinking loads and the CFE BLK will be for my hunting loads. Thanks all, be safe.

I'm curious, what were the standard deviations and extreme spreads? Or did you just load one round each charge?

The reason I ask, I've sometimes seen the deviation/spread start to increase as the pressure starts to get too high. Don't know if that is the case with CFE BLK though.

 

[NR53]

I'm curious, what were the standard deviations and extreme spreads? Or did you just load one round each charge?

The reason I ask, I've sometimes seen the deviation/spread start to increase as the pressure starts to get too high. Don't know if that is the case with CFE BLK though.

These were averages for 5 shot groups, except for the 29.5 grain load which was just one shot to see I could get a pressure sign, which I did with the flat primer. Didn't check the ES or SD. This was all done in my rural backyard range where I can load or change loads "on the fly". I was very impressed with CFE BLK. And I still like AA1680.