CFE Pistol - 357 sig

[vaalpens]

I have been thinking of trying Winchester Autocomp in 357sig, but due to the lack of load data, never got around trying it out. Reading about CFE Pistol it seemed that Autocomp and CFE Pistol are very similar, with CFE Pistol maybe requiring a few tenths of powder to get to the same velocity as Autocomp.

So I decided to just buy some CFE Pistol since it has load data for the calibers I am loading, including 357sig.

The Hodgdon load data lists the 124gr XTP from 6.5gr to 7.6gr, and 125gr GDHP from 7.0gr to 8.0gr. These bullets are different lengths, which probably explains some of the difference in load data.

I started with a plated bullet 124gr Berry's HBFPTP ich has a length between the above two bullets, just to see how it performs, and then I will try some jacketed bullets and the RMR JHP's I have. With the plated bullets I know I get some copper fouling in 357sig, so at some time I will also test the CFE part of it to see if it makes a difference.

Today I finally had time to test my first loads using CFE Pistol with Berry's 124gr HBFPTP bullets. The loads I tested were 6.8/7.0/7.2/7.4/7.6gr with a COL of 1.135".

I have to say I am impressed, even with CFE Pistol so far. My testing was done at 15yards from a rest on a windy day. Following are the groupings:
6.8gr - 1.61"
7.0gr - 1.45"
7.2gr - 1.89" with a flyer (4 shot grouping of 0.88")
7.4gr - 1.92" with a flyer (4 shot grouping of 1.09")
7.6gr - 2.72" with a flyer (4 shot grouping of 1.55")

I expected the plated bullets to start spreading at the higher charges, but it seems that CFE Pistol behaves very well through the range and I should be able to find a decent load for the plated bullet.

A jacketed bullet test will be done once I found the load for a plated bullet, but I would think I will probably start at 7.0gr and work up from there.

Following is the target for the 1.45" grouping.

 

[noylj]

Just note max velocity limits for plated bullets.

 

[Dudedog]

CFE Pistol worked well for me in 9mm, glad it is working for you in .357 sig.
I just wish it was a little bulkier.

 

[vaalpens]

Just note max velocity limits for plated bullets.

Yes, that is correct.

I use the thicker plated bullets which should be kept below 1500fps. I normally load them on the lower end otherwise I will see a lot of copper fouling. These are also just used as cheaper practice ammo.

 

[vaalpens]

CFE Pistol worked well for me in 9mm, glad it is working for you in .357 sig.
I just wish it was a little bulkier.

Good to know it is working well in 9mm since 9mm will be the next caliber I will try. I would guess that a load around 5.4gr or 5.5gr should work well in 9mm since Autocomp works well for me at 5.3gr.

The lack of bulkiness doesn't bother me since I still weigh each load. At least I know I am not getting close to a compressed load.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I loaded 50 rounds of 124 grain berry's 9mm with 5 grains of CFE Pistol....will be testing them this weekend.

 

[vaalpens]

I loaded 50 rounds of 124 grain berry's 9mm with 5 grains of CFE Pistol....will be testing them this weekend.

Let us know what type of results you see.

I have 5 loads (4.9/5.0/5.1/5.2/5.3gr) loaded up ready for testing. Just not sure when I will make the time to test them out. These are all loaded with Berrys 124gr HBFPTP's with a 1.060" COL.

 

[sellersm]

Thanks guys! I was thinking of getting around to this test as well, now I don't have to!

I still have a bunch of MG bullets I could try this with...

 

[Dudedog]

Note the OAL and charge difference, you probably have seen this but Hodgdon added the data for the Berb and the HAP a while back. A first they only listed the 125 LCN and the 125 SIE.

125 GR. SIE FMJ Hodgdon CFE Pistol .355" 1.090" 4.6 1009 26,900 PSI 5.1 1118 33,000 PSI

124 GR BERB HBRN Plated Hodgdon CFE Pistol .356" 1.150" 4.9 1006 27,300 PSI 5.5 1120 33,800 PSI

125 GR HAP Hodgdon CFE Pistol .356" 1.069" 4.2 956 25,600 PSI 4.8 1096 33,400 PSI



My initial test in 9mm was 4.5 and 4.8 with the RMR 125 FN at 1.10, S+B SP primers, if your using CCIs figure about 20fps faster.
4.8 seemed a little better but I was having one of those :banghead: days.
5" Springfield 1911.

RMR 124 gr FN 4.5gr CFE Pistol
999.00
1004.00
995.00
1016.00
1009.00

Average 1004.60
ES 21.00
SD 8.26
PF 124.57

RMR 124gr HP 4.8gr CFE Pistol
1049.00
1063.00
1062.00
1079.00
1055.00

Average 1061.60
ES 30.00
SD 11.26
PF 131.64

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I just loaded 50 more 9mm with CFE Pistol. 124 grain RN, 1.150", 5.2 grains.

Now I have 50 at 5.0 grains and 50 at 5.2 grains. Depending on how these do, this may become my go-to powder for 9mm.

I tried it in the 40 S&W, 7.1 grains CFE with 165 grain Berry's FP. The recoil impulse with this load was very sharp, not pleasant. Longshot has been working awesome for me in the 40, that's what I'm going to stick with in that.

 

[vaalpens]

I just loaded 50 more 9mm with CFE Pistol. 124 grain RN, 1.150", 5.2 grains.

Now I have 50 at 5.0 grains and 50 at 5.2 grains. Depending on how these do, this may become my go-to powder for 9mm.

I tried it in the 40 S&W, 7.1 grains CFE with 165 grain Berry's FP. The recoil impulse with this load was very sharp, not pleasant. Longshot has been working awesome for me in the 40, that's what I'm going to stick with in that.

I saw your thread about hot CFE Pistol, but I am still going to load 40s&w also when I am done with 357sig and 9mm.

Look at this thread for some loads for 40s&w. Post #13 has a load of just over 1000fps. The 7.1gr seems a bit high maybe as a starting load.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=756182

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I was going by the Hodgdon load data, which is 6.9-7.6 grains with the plated 165 grain 40.

I just looked at the velocity range with this load, Hodgdon is claiming 1200 fps from a 165 grain plated on the upper end. That's stout!

No wonder it was kicking like a mule.

I've got some loaded at 6.5 grains that I need to try out.

 

[wizard1911]

The best thing about both CFE Pistol and CFE 223 is the consistence of the charges.