CFE Pistol in 45ACP?

[CrankyCraig]

Have any of you folks tried CFE Pistol in 45ACP?

I really like this powder in 40 S&W under a 165 grain and it seems like a very good powder for 9mm so far.

It burns clean low flash. I see load data for it in the Hornady manual & Hodgdon website but wouldn’t it be kinda slow burn rate for the 45acp?

Currently I use 231 for 45 and it’s accurate but it seems to have a bit more flash and isn’t burning the cleanest.


Thanks! I

 

[kcofohio]

I have used it to some degree with jacketed and plated, and IIRC, some lead. It did alright. Nothing noticeable as far as being dirty. It can make a stout load.
I bought an 8 lb. jug of the powder, so I like using CFE-P for moderately heavy loads in 45.
As for accuracy, I can't comment, as my shooting is usually at 7-15 yds.
Flash, about average IMO.

 

[CrankyCraig]

I have used it to some degree with jacketed and plated, and IIRC, some lead. It did alright. Nothing noticeable as far as being dirty. It can make a stout load.
I bought an 8 lb. jug of the powder, so I like using CFE-P for moderately heavy loads in 45.
As for accuracy, I can't comment, as my shooting is usually at 7-15 yds.
Flash, about average IMO.

Thanks I usually

Have any of you folks tried CFE Pistol in 45ACP?

I really like this powder in 40 S&W under a 165 grain and it seems like a very good powder for 9mm so far.

It burns clean low flash. I see load data for it in the Hornady manual & Hodgdon website but wouldn’t it be kinda slow burn rate for the 45acp?

Currently I use 231 for 45 and it’s accurate but it seems to have a bit more flash and isn’t burning the cleanest.


Thanks! I usually shoot 5-15 yards indoors with plated or fmj 200-230grain. So I don’t really need a stout load. Guess I need to just load some and see how it goes.

 

[TheDomFather]

I just picked up my first pound of CFE Pistol this weekend. WhenI load em and shoot em will let you know how it goes.
Dom

 

[ericuda]

i get around 873 fps out of 1911 with 6.6 gr. If load my 230 golden sabre bullets with it. I use it for plinking too.

 

[sellersm]

I've used it with various bullet weights in .45acp, fired from both semi-autos & revolvers. No issues, seems to work well at moderate to upper load levels (in MY guns). No complaints from me, I think I've got another 8lbs to go through.

 

[Dudedog]

Worked ok for me in .45. As mentioned earlier you can make some stout loads with it.
In my use in .45 and 9mm it seems happier above the middle of the charge range.

 

[bbqreloader]

Ran 7.7gr CFE-P under a 185gr Copper plated FP. Pulled an avg 978fps with ten rounds.
Really like BE-86 for the 45, softer shot.
Use CFE for my 40 (165gr also) and some 9, but prefer HS6 for the 9.

 

[CrankyCraig]

i get around 873 fps out of 1911 with 6.6 gr. If load my 230 golden sabre bullets with it. I use it for plinking too.[/QUOTE

 

[CrankyCraig]

Ran 7.7gr CFE-P under a 185gr Copper plated FP. Pulled an avg 978fps with ten rounds.
Really like BE-86 for the 45, softer shot.
Use CFE for my 40 (165gr also) and some 9, but prefer HS6 for the 9.

I’ve been thinking of picking up some HS6. I’ve been using 231 for 45 and it’s pretty good I just noticed a lot of muzzle flash with it it’s really accurate though. but seems like I’m cleaning a lot of powder out of the barrel with a 5 grain load.

 

[Mike Kerr]

Still use Clays in target 45 ACP since I had several pounds sand bagged. Next would be Accurate 2 for target or plinking with very low flash. 231 is very accurate with plenty of power but as mentioned it has always been somewhat smoky and dirty in its residue. Some don't care about the residue or smoke and swear by 231. Accurate 5 was good for full bore loads as was HS6 (slow) . The CFE should be worth a try.

 

[Kaldor]

I use 8.1gr of CFE-P behind HiTek coated 185gr SWC in my 1911. Its a stout load, but its a 2" load at 50' for me, and I suck with a pistol. It burns clean for me. I also use it behind 185gr XTPs for self defense loads. I wouldnt use for heavier 230gr bullets, something like TiteGroup is better IMHO due to lower recoil impulse. I also use a ton of it for 115gr bullets in 9mm.

 

[judgecrater]

With a 200 gr lswc, 7.5 grain I find it is a nice moderate, accurate load with no leading.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I’ve been thinking of picking up some HS6. I’ve been using 231 for 45 and it’s pretty good I just noticed a lot of muzzle flash with it it’s really accurate though. but seems like I’m cleaning a lot of powder out of the barrel with a 5 grain load.

I use a lot of W231 in the 45 ACP and never really noticed excessive muzzle flash. I don't see any powder left over in the barrel either. I usually load a 230gr cast bullet over 5.5gr W231 using a CCI SPP. It's very accurate in all the guns I shoot.

IMO I would not use HS-6 in the 45 ACP, it's not a high pressure cartridge like the 40 S&W. It reacts best at the upper end of the pressure range and with a magnum primer. I don't feel its the best choice for your application. When I'm looking for more than W231 will deliver I use AA#5 with good results. I'm told it was developed around the 45 ACP. I like it and if you're going to buy a powder to try buy some AA#5.

 

[CrankyCraig]

I use a lot of W231 in the 45 ACP and never really noticed excessive muzzle flash. I don't see any powder left over in the barrel either. I usually load a 230gr cast bullet over 5.5gr W231 using a CCI SPP. It's very accurate in all the guns I shoot.

IMO I would not use HS-6 in the 45 ACP, it's not a high pressure cartridge like the 40 S&W. It reacts best at the upper end of the pressure range and with a magnum primer. I don't feel its the best choice for your application. When I'm looking for more than W231 will deliver I use AA#5 with good results. I'm told it was developed around the 45 ACP. I like it and if you're going to buy a powder to try buy some AA#5.

I wonder if I seat the bullets abit deeper and bump up the charge some if it would clean up the powder I’m finding in the barrel.

Currently I’m using 230 Grain xtreme plated round nose with 5.0 grains of W231 & a Winchester LPP with COL of 1.260 in a Colt Lightweight Commander & a sig 1911 nightmare.

This is a very accurate load form me for poking holes in targets from 5-15yards.

 

[Bronx kid]

I would not recommend seating deeper and upping the charge at the same time. You should do one or the other and see if you get the results you are looking for.

Personally I would up the charge.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I wonder if I seat the bullets abit deeper and bump up the charge some if it would clean up the powder I’m finding in the barrel.

Currently I’m using 230 Grain xtreme plated round nose with 5.0 grains of W231 & a Winchester LPP with COL of 1.260 in a Colt Lightweight Commander & a sig 1911 nightmare.

This is a very accurate load form me for poking holes in targets from 5-15yards.

If that OAL works well for you I would not change it. I would however up the charge and see what you get. Like I said, I'm using a charge if 5.5gr W231 which has been used by many for a very long time. I'm not telling you what to do, I'm only telling you what I do.

IMO W231/HP-38 is a powder that is just about a perfect match in the 45 ACP and .38 Special too.

 

[CrankyCraig]

Think I’ll work up a few mags Worth and hopefully get to shoot them this weekend. Crazy how much Hodgdon, Speer & Hornady’s data differ so much.

 

[Dudedog]

I really like HP38 for .45 4.7 or 5.0gr with a 230 RN. Both shoot about the same accuracy wise of course 4.7 is softer.

 

[Ru4real]

CFE Pistol is too hot for too long for cast bullets without a gas check, I've learned.

I was leading in barrels using Missouri Bullet 215 gr .452 hardness 20 HiTek coated with 8.0 gr CFE pistol from 5" barrel at 1025 fps and 1065 fps from a 6" barrel.

I am not leading using same MBC 215 gr bullet with 6.7 gr Hodgdon Universal from 5" barrel at 1060 fps and 1080 fps from a 6" barrel.

***WARNING these loads are above standard 45 acp pressures.***