CFE Pistol vs HS-6
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stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
I've never used cfe pistol, but have been using hs6 since I bought my Smith. Works well and burns clean.
SlowFuse
Member
I've only used the CFE in 9mm, found that for me it burned dirty/sooty until I got past about the halfway mark on the load data range.
AJC1
Member
Hs-6 seems to be a favorite of those that load very heavy for power factor. If that is a goal you might be able to find a lit of help and experience from competitors.
markr6754
Member
Easy choice: CFE-Pistol. It’s taken me a bit of time to really come to appreciate this powder, but it’s become one of my favorites. I love it under a 124gr Everglades JHP RN bullet, as well as Berry’s CPRN.
Ultimate Reloader did a video showcasing 147gr Berry’s CPRN and 4.2gr CFE-Pistol...using magnum primers and achieved some phenomenal results. I have some of this same bullets and plan to give it a try.
Ultimate Reloader did a video showcasing 147gr Berry’s CPRN and 4.2gr CFE-Pistol...using magnum primers and achieved some phenomenal results. I have some of this same bullets and plan to give it a try.
Hooda Thunkit
Member
Let me preface this by stating that I have never used CFE Pistol.
HS-6 is a very good powder for full power 9mm. It burns clean at higher pressure. It will do just fine for your 9mm.
It looks like CFE Pistol will also work, and may be slightly more economical. The loads for CFE Pistol are of lighter weight fo the same velocity.
CFE is a newer technology powder, and although I don't have a problem with copper fouling in 9mm, CFE is formulated to combat just that scenario.
If I were just picking out a new powder to get started in loading the 9mm Luger, I would lean towards the newest technology powder.
Chances are good that powder will still be available in 10 years.
HS-6 is a very good powder for full power 9mm. It burns clean at higher pressure. It will do just fine for your 9mm.
It looks like CFE Pistol will also work, and may be slightly more economical. The loads for CFE Pistol are of lighter weight fo the same velocity.
CFE is a newer technology powder, and although I don't have a problem with copper fouling in 9mm, CFE is formulated to combat just that scenario.
If I were just picking out a new powder to get started in loading the 9mm Luger, I would lean towards the newest technology powder.
Chances are good that powder will still be available in 10 years.
Patocazador
Member
I have both CFE-P and HS-6. I don't use the HS-6 much because I fell in love with CFE-P after using it in several calibers. Clean-burning, accurate and meters beautifully. Also need less of it for the same or better results.
Dudedog
Contributing Member
I haven't used HS-6 so I can't comment on it. CFE-P should work.
It tends to be a little dirty until you get higher in it's charge range but it did shoot well for me at start charges.
You didn't mention barrel length so I don't know if where you will be in the charge range to get 1050 with a 125.
It tends to be a little dirty until you get higher in it's charge range but it did shoot well for me at start charges.
You didn't mention barrel length so I don't know if where you will be in the charge range to get 1050 with a 125.
I don't have both powders so I can't give a good answer to the OP's question, but I have used CFE for Pistol in several 9mm loads. I haven't used nor will I guess at the performance of HS-6. CFE meters well, and at my levels, mid range, it burns clean. I have used it under cast/PVCed 125 gr bullets, 124 gr Gold Dots, and 124 gr. RMR FMJFP and JHPs. I have a brand new Masada that I'm waiting to shoot so I cannot attest how the powder performs in a 4" bbl, but I've seen no downside when used in my Ruger LC9s Pro...
Jim Watson
Member
CFE-P
Reduced loads with HS6 are a mess. Only powder I ever had to coke up the chamber to the point of malfunction. And the loads were not reduced that much, they were in the range of factory econoball.
Reduced loads with HS6 are a mess. Only powder I ever had to coke up the chamber to the point of malfunction. And the loads were not reduced that much, they were in the range of factory econoball.
Howland937
Member
I've used both in .38 Super and
Sums it up well for what I've seen with it. I haven't tried pushing the upper end of the CFE data yet.
Prowler53
Member
I used both CFE-P and W231. I had to check my log book and here is what I have. Both were fired from a Springfield xd 9mm Subcompact.
4.5 Grains CFE Pistol
Brazos 125 Lead RN coated
CCI 500 Primer
1.070 OAL
Min FPS 1009
Max FPS 1108
Avg FPS 1061
StdDev 36.63
10 Shot Group 2.0" @ 10 Yards
4.0 Grains W231
Brazos 125 Lead RN coated
CCI 500 Primer
1.070 OAL
Min FPS 993
Max FPS 1079
Avg FPS 1035 FPS
StdDev 42.30
10 Shot group 1.58" @ 10 Yards *notes* 6/10 in the X-Ring Very Accurate
I liked both powders and I have loaded up to 5.2 grains of CFE-P with berry's 124 Plated RN's. Actually that was my favorite load before experimenting with other powders and bullets. The brass is a little sooty with CFE but that seems to be a known issue that never really bothered me. I have to agree with BC17A that HS6 would be my choice for lighter loads. I have another powder that I tested that I like even more than HS6 but since you are only choosing between those 2 mentioned I would probably go with HS6.
4.5 Grains CFE Pistol
Brazos 125 Lead RN coated
CCI 500 Primer
1.070 OAL
Min FPS 1009
Max FPS 1108
Avg FPS 1061
StdDev 36.63
10 Shot Group 2.0" @ 10 Yards
4.0 Grains W231
Brazos 125 Lead RN coated
CCI 500 Primer
1.070 OAL
Min FPS 993
Max FPS 1079
Avg FPS 1035 FPS
StdDev 42.30
10 Shot group 1.58" @ 10 Yards *notes* 6/10 in the X-Ring Very Accurate
I liked both powders and I have loaded up to 5.2 grains of CFE-P with berry's 124 Plated RN's. Actually that was my favorite load before experimenting with other powders and bullets. The brass is a little sooty with CFE but that seems to be a known issue that never really bothered me. I have to agree with BC17A that HS6 would be my choice for lighter loads. I have another powder that I tested that I like even more than HS6 but since you are only choosing between those 2 mentioned I would probably go with HS6.
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Virginia Jim
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W540/HS6. I still have 5 pounds of W540. I use it in .40 S&W, 10mm, and 45 acp. Very sooty even at near-maximum loads. I don’t mind, though. I got A good deal on 8 lbs. like, $11 /lb.
For what barrel length?
Metal God
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I’ve used alot of both in 9mm but with 115’s and 147’s . Both are better with heavy for cartridge bullets . As for which burns cleaner . Hmm they are both slow powders that give good velocities but HS-6 seems to smoke more and CFE-pistol leaves scorch marks half way down my cases but does not seem to be as smoky . I’ve never considered either one clean burning like faster powders like Titegroup is .
If I had to choose one over the other , it would be CFE pistol and I have made that choice . I have 4lbs of HS-6 and have no plans to buy anymore because cfe does everything it does and maybe a bit better .
If I had to choose one over the other , it would be CFE pistol and I have made that choice . I have 4lbs of HS-6 and have no plans to buy anymore because cfe does everything it does and maybe a bit better .
These worked well for me in a 3.3" barrel with Accurate #7, https://www.xtremebullets.com/9mm-135-RNFP-p/xc9mm-135rnfp-b0500.htm
with a average velocity of 1,030 fps.
I would try to find a faster powder or a heavier bullet, if you are stuck on 1,050 fps.
with a average velocity of 1,030 fps.
I would try to find a faster powder or a heavier bullet, if you are stuck on 1,050 fps.
Reeferman
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You have to keep HS6 in its upper range. For me I found magnum primers work better. If used for 38 special and 9mm in plus P range it is hard to beat.
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