CFE Pistol Powder Chrono Results - 9mm & 45acp

[straight-shooter]

I picked up a jug of Hodgdon CFE Pistol Powder and just returned from the range after putting some over a Chrono. For those interested I'll use this thread to post the results. First off I'd like to say it shoots very predictable as the loads increased and I could definitely tell when I hit the border between a light load and a moderate load. Turns out I like the somewhat moderate loads for the produced felt recoil and accuracy.

The 9mm loads were fired with a H&K VP9 (This pistol just continues to delight but that another thread).

Xtreme 124 RN - CFE Pistol 4.8gr
Hi Vel:|1040
Low Vel:|998
Ave Vel:|1016
Ext Spread:|42
Std Dev:|20
Power Factor:| 123 - 128

Xtreme 124 RN - CFE Pistol 5.0gr
Hi Vel:|1071
Low Vel:|1039
Ave Vel:|1053
Ext Spread:|32
Std Dev:|13
Power Factor:| 128 - 131

Xtreme 124 RN - CFE Pistol 5.2gr
Hi Vel:|1102
Low Vel:|1070
Ave Vel:|1080
Ext Spread:|32
Std Dev:|13
Power Factor:| 132 - 136

Xtreme 124 RN - CFE Pistol 5.4gr
Hi Vel:|1124
Low Vel:|1099
Ave Vel:|1108
Ext Spread:|25
Std Dev:|9
Power Factor:| 136 - 139

I've chosen the load of 5.4gr for the 9mm as accuracy was fantastic and felt recoil was what I personally like. All loads cycled the gun.

Now for the .45 data fired from a Glock 21 SF

Lyman 225 LRN Powder Coated - CFE Pistol 5.8gr
Hi Vel:|812
Low Vel:|783
Ave Vel:|797
Ext Spread:|29
Std Dev:|10
Power Factor:| 176 - 182

Lyman 225 LRN Powder Coated - CFE Pistol 6.0gr
Hi Vel:|850
Low Vel:|796
Ave Vel:|819
Ext Spread:|54
Std Dev:|20
Power Factor:| 179 - 191

Lyman 225 LRN Powder Coated - CFE Pistol 6.2gr
Hi Vel:|878
Low Vel:|822
Ave Vel:|845
Ext Spread:|56
Std Dev:|20
Power Factor:| 184 - 197


Lyman 225 LRN Powder Coated - CFE Pistol 6.4gr
Hi Vel:|874
Low Vel:|862
Ave Vel:|867
Ext Spread:|12
Std Dev:|4
Power Factor:| 193 - 196

Even though the power factor is well above 165 on this one at 6.4gr, it's the load I found the most accurate. I know with pistol that the ES and SD isn't critical but I was astounded by the numbers on this one. All loads cycled the gun.

Well folks, there you have some numbers at least with plated 124gr and LRN 225gr using CFE Pistol powder. I found the characteristics to be very similar to W231 in the way it sounds and feels. It meters fantastic and I have no regrets and am very stoked about snagging some of this.

 

[Toprudder]

Made me go and dig out my results.

9mm, Xtreme 115 RN, Win small pistol primer, 1.140 COL. Witness PS 9, 4.5" barrel.
4.9gn, 974.4fps, 15.6sd, 33 spread
5.1gn, 1001.8fps, 13.2sd, 35 spread
5.2gn, 1027.0fps, 8.0sd, 20 spread

The 5.2gn load seemed the best.
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380 Xtreme 100 RNFP, 0.965 COL, Win small pistol primer. Bersa Thunder 3.5" barrel.
3.3gn, 661.2fps, 28.4sd, 72 spread
3.5gn, 714.6fps, 13.4sd, 32 spread
3.6gn, 747.6fps, 30.4sd, 71 spread

The 3.6gn seemed to be most accurate and recoil was moderate.
=====================================

40 Xtreme 155 FP, 1.135 COL, Win small pistol primer. Witness PS 40, 4.5" barrel.

7.2gn, 1028.2fps, 7.5sd, 18 spread
7.4gn, 1059.2fps, 16.0sd, 40 spread
7.6gn, 1089.0fps, 22.7sd, 54 spread

I preferred the 7.2gn load.
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45 Xtreme 200 HP, 1.225 COL, Win small pistol primer (yes, small primer 45). Witness Steel 45, 4.5" barrel.

7.4gn, 797fps, 22.7sd
=====================================

45 Xtreme 200 RN, 1.225 COL, Win small pistol primer. Witness Steel 45, 4.5" barrel.

7.2gn, 741fps, 21.8sd
7.4gn, 798fps, 46.4sd
=====================================

45 Xtreme 230 RN, 1.225 COL, Win small pistol primer. Witness Steel 45, 4.5" barrel.

6.2gn, 709fps, 10.3sd

I wasn't really checking for accuracy, was shooting at steel plates. All loads seemed accurate enough for me.

 

[sellersm]

Thanks for sharing, folks! Would love to get a few pounds of this powder!!

 

[Handloader109]

Yep, thanks for the info. I've been using the pound I bought a while back and I like it too. Good stuff and fairly readily available.

 

[RPegram]

My SR9 loves a 125gr lrn sitting on top of 5.0gr CFE Pistol seated to 1.155". Extremely accurate and soft recoil. This is the max load listed for this bullet, but I seat much shallower than data lists. I have actually tried 1.170" and rounds passed drop test and cycled great, but there is so little bullet in the case, I settled on 1.155".

Now, 45 is complete opposite for me personally. Both my SR45 and XDS like 230gr lrn sitting on 5.4 gr seated to 1.225". This is the minimum listed for this bullet. Anything more and the XDS has more recoil than I can handle. Round is very accurate in the SR. I've tried this powder under 200 gr lswc, but the starting load is 7.4 gr and this is way too hot for the XDS. I've even dropped down to 6.8, and it is still hot. Unfortunately, the SR45 doesn't like a swc profile and they won't cycle properly, gun jams about every other round. I'll probably use BE-86 or 231 to finish out swc's I have, shoot them through the XDS, which loves them, and not purchase anymore.