CFE Pistol in 45 Colt

[Joe Texas]

I seldom read of folks using CFE Pistol for 45 Colt. Here are some results from my chronograph session yesterday:
* This is .4 grain over Hodgdon’s standard pressure data max of 8.8 grains. It may not be safe in regular Single Action Army or replicas. As always, start low and work up in YOUR gun. If you have a Ruger though, this is a winner for me.

260 grain lrnfp (Lee 255 rnfp mold) 18-20 bhn
9.2 grains CFE Pistol
Starline brass
CCI LP
3/4 Lee Factory Crimp
Avg MV 1020
SD 20

• This load has been proven to be accurate out to 50 yards out of my older model 5” Ruger Vaquero (largest revolver in my avatar pic).
• I have never had any leading from this load.
• A friend casts the bullets with the Lee mold that I bought for him to make projectiles for this gun.
• Felt recoil is subjective to the shooter of course but is not excessive to me with this load.(I’m 5’9” 200lbs.)

 

[Joe Texas]

Here are some 2400 loads I chronographed yesterday also:
* These are Ruger/TC only loads. NOT to be used in regular Colt Single Action Army or replicas. As always, start low and work up in YOUR firearm.

260 grain lrnfp (Lee 255 rnfp mold) 18-20 bhn
18.1 grains 2400
Starline brass
CCI LP
MV 1177
SD 39
No leading

250 grain XTP
20.1 grains 2400
MV 1290
SD 16

Both from 5” old model Ruger Vaquero (largest revolver in my avatar pic).

• The xtp load is the most accurate I have tried in 45 Colt.
• I’ve tried W296 for Ruger only type loads but the moderate velocity advantage over 2400 didn't prove to be worth the recoil for me.
• I think there would be a much better payoff in a rifle length barrel using the slower burn rate powder.

 

[Joe Texas]

CFE Pistol in 45 Colt Cowboy Special brass (45 Colt rim 45 acp length from Midsouth Shooter Supply) also makes for a nice reduced recoil round.

230 lrn (bhn 8)
6.0 CFE Pistol
Cowboy Special brass
CCI LP
COL 2.20

Soft shooting and accurate without excessive leading.

 

[gotboostvr]

I like the looks of that.
I'm putting feelers out for starting to reload the 45LC and an setting a goal between 1000-1100fps with a similar bullet for whitetails.

I might try Unique (about 9gr), and 2400(about 18gr) and maybe 4227 (?gr) as I already have them but might try CFE if I'm not getting the accuracy I like.

I've always had great accuracy with XTP's in my various 44s. Especially with 4227.

 

[Phlier]

I love CFE-Pistol. Use it in everything from 380 Auto to 44 Mag. Just as versatile as Unique IMO, but less fouling and smoke.

 

[Joe Texas]

I like the looks of that.
I'm putting feelers out for starting to reload the 45LC and an setting a goal between 1000-1100fps with a similar bullet for whitetails.

I might try Unique (about 9gr), and 2400(about 18gr) and maybe 4227 (?gr) as I already have them but might try CFE if I'm not getting the accuracy I like.

I've always had great accuracy with XTP's in my various 44s. Especially with 4227.

I’ve found that 9.5 grains of CFE Pistol is about as snappy as I want to go. I’ve tried it up to 10 grains without overpressure signs. That was before I owned a chronograph. 9.5 - 10 grains might hit 1100 out of a 5” barrel. For a rifle I would use 2400 or W296/H110.

 

[Joe Texas]

That 9.2 grain 1000 fps load makes we want to consider a lighter bullet to get closer to 1100 at reasonable pressure. Maybe a Sierra 240 grain or 230 grain XTP would fill the bill. The 240 grain XTP is probably too hard for reliable expansion at 45 Colt revolver velocities. Man, I need a 45 Colt lever gun.

 

[gotboostvr]

I’ve found that 9.5 grains of CFE Pistol is about as snappy as I want to go. I’ve tried it up to 10 grains without overpressure signs. That was before I owned a chronograph. 9.5 - 10 grains might hit 1100 out of a 5” barrel. For a rifle I would use 2400 or W296/H110.

I'm loading for a 5.5" large frame Bisley. Shouldn't be as snappy as my 3" 500 mag was!

 

[LaneP]

CFE-P fan here too. It's my top performer in 9mm, giving one of the best velocity to pressure ratios of all available with 124 grain and up bullet weights.

I've had a Ruger NM Blackhawk for years but since getting a Ruger New Vaquero I love tossing 250's out the door at +/- 700 fps with Trail Boss.

 

[dredd]

I like CFE Pistol for 45 Colt as well.
Running it in a New Vaquero Bisley.

 

[Phlier]

CFE-P fan here too. It's my top performer in 9mm, giving one of the best velocity to pressure ratios of all available with 124 grain and up bullet weights.

I've had a Ruger NM Blackhawk for years but since getting a Ruger New Vaquero I love tossing 250's out the door at +/- 700 fps with Trail Boss.

Same. My Father recommended CFE-Pistol to me quite a few years ago (back when it was new on the market). For the most part, I've been using it ever since. Occasionally, I'll get a bug to try a different powder, and in fact I've run a pretty wide gamut of powders in 9mm, but in the end I always go back to CFE-Pistol for 9mm.

I thought the "Copper Fouling Eraser" part of the name was just marketing drivel, but before I started casting my own bullets for 9mm, I did notice a big reduction in copper fouling when shooting ammo loaded with CFE-Pistol. No laboratory testing conditions by any means, but IMO, it really does help reduce/eliminate copper fouling. Every 9mm bullet I throw downrange now days is cast and powder coated, so I don't use CFE-Pistol for the CFE aspect of it, I shoot it because it's one of the best performing powders I've ever used.

And boy, does it measure well. When I sit down to start loading, I'll throw five charges that go back in the measure, then weigh the next ten. I'll normally see five charges that are right on the money, three that are less than a tenth of a grain off, and two that are a full tenth off. Good stuff.

I really appreciate the work the OP is doing in sharing his CFE loads with us.

 

[horseman1]

Thanks for the data Joe. Just started loading for the 45 Colt and like CFE Pistol in other calibers. Will need to work up something for a 200gr lead in a SAA gun soon for my son.