CFE223 in .223

[Jdague12]

I have 3 main loads for my .223 using 55gr FMJ. TAC, H335, and Varget.

Shot from 100yards today and they all did pretty decent. My brother had some loaded with CFE223 and I tried them. They were extremely accurate and consistent. Very tight groups. I think I have a new .223 powder.

 

[AJC1]

I have 3 main loads for my .223 using 55gr FMJ. TAC, H335, and Varget.

Shot from 100yards today and they all did pretty decent. My brother had some loaded with CFE223 and I tried them. They were extremely accurate and consistent. Very tight groups. I think I have a new .223 powder.

Between tac and varget I can't see adding another pony to the budwiser wagon, but if you like it why not.

 

[DMW1116]

I have not used it for FMJ loads and find it to be overly gassy in many combinations. I did find it very accurate pushing heavier match grade bullets with minimal charge weights. Pushing 77 grain SMK bullets it seems moderately gassy in my 20” A4 copy.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

My fave is H335. Followed by TAC.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I have 3 main loads for my .223 using 55gr FMJ. TAC, H335, and Varget.

Shot from 100yards today and they all did pretty decent. My brother had some loaded with CFE223 and I tried them. They were extremely accurate and consistent. Very tight groups. I think I have a new .223 powder.

It’s always good to have options. At least do some load work up and make notes so you have it for the next, “There’s no powder anywhere!!!” panic.

I can't see adding another pony to the budwiser wagon

Things can always go sideways. You never know when the Bud Lite wagon might blow a tranny. Way I see it, load development and lean times is why they sell one-pounders.

 

[AJC1]

It’s always good to have options. At least do some load work up and make notes so you have it for the next, “There’s no powder anywhere!!!” panic.


Things can always go sideways. You never know when the Bud Lite wagon might blow a tranny. Way I see it, load development and lean times is why they sell one-pounders.

You know that's absolutely why I buy pounds of this and that to get good load data... besides it's fun and I have a reason to go to the range... I'm not sure we're out of the current situation... it's so bad they are funding the reopening of more federal Armory.

 

[cfullgraf]

I use CFE223 in my 40 grain 204 Ruger ammunition and I like how it performs. Not exactly the same as 223 Rem but not alot different either.

I like AA2230 for 55 grain 223 Rem ammunition and Varget for heavier bullets.

But, I’d try CFE223 in a heart beat if I needed an alternate powder for 223 Rem.

 

[kidneyboy]

You never know when the Bud Lite wagon might blow a tranny

That is the funniest thing I have seen all day......

 

[2ndtimer]

I wasn’t impressed with CFE-223 when I tried it in .223/5.56. I recently got a pound of AR-Comp and am afraid to try it, since I hadn’t seen any for two years or since I snagged the pound at Sportsman’s. With my luck, it will be lights out, and unobtainable. I have a good supply of TAC, almost 8 lbs of Shooter’s World Precision Rifle and a couple pounds of Ramshot X-Terminator. Still would grab some Benchmark, IMR-8208XBR or H-322, if any of those showed up in the $40 price range. CFE-223 and Power Pro 2000-MR get a hard pass for me.

 

[AJC1]

I wasn’t impressed with CFE-223 when I tried it in .223/5.56. I recently got a pound of AR-Comp and am afraid to try it, since I hadn’t seen any for two years or since I snagged the pound at Sportsman’s. With my luck, it will be lights out, and unobtainable. I have a good supply of TAC, almost 8 lbs of Shooter’s World Precision Rifle and a couple pounds of Ramshot X-Terminator. Still would grab some Benchmark, IMR-8208XBR or H-322, if any of those showed up in the $40 price range. CFE-223 and Power Pro 2000-MR get a hard pass for me.

I have one pound of ar-comp and it turned into the new varget, no where to be found. At least varget is available so I just keep using that... 8208 is another I'd be happy to try but haven't seen.

 

[DMW1116]

It’s not the caliber requested but I tried CFE 223 in 308 Winchester with a 168 grain Amax and it did very well accuracy wise. It’s quite over gassed and will bend case rims if I forget to turn the gas block down. Accuracy rivals my 175 grain SMK load. In a bolt action I bet it would be great. I have 25 of these left to shoot to finally determine if I want to make any more or just limit CFE 223 use to 223/556 heavy projectiles.

I am interested in Ramshot X-Terminator too. It’s locally available and about 20% cheaper than H335.

 

[JEBruns]

I load both H335 and CFE223 for my .223/5.56 AR. I need to test it on some heavier loads too, but pushing a 52gr SMK through my 1:7 barrel, I'm getting sub-moa 5 shot groups at 100 yards. Took me a while to find a load that shoots this good with lighter bullets, so I'm a believer.

I can't quite get there with H335. Some sub-1.5" groups with those same bullets is the best I can do with it.

 

[alsaqr]

Just wanted to try some other powder. So i bought a pound of CFE .223. Will load some 5.56mm military cases soon using CFE 223 powder and 55 Sierra Game King bullets.

Since 1968 i've used IMR 3031 exclusively with 55 grain bullets in the .223/5.56 mm. My 26" barrel Remington 700 makes tiny five shot groups at 125 yards when i'm up to it; which is becoming increasingly infrequent.

 

[AJC1]

Just wanted to try some other powder. So i bought a pound of CFE .223. Will load some 5.56mm military cases soon using CFE 223 powder and 55 Sierra Game King bullets.

Since 1968 i've used IMR 3031 exclusively with 55 grain bullets in the .223/5.56 mm. My 26" barrel Remington 700 makes tiny five shot groups at 125 yards when i'm up to it; which is becoming increasingly infrequent.

Compare the price vs tac and grab what's cheaper...

 

[DMW1116]

I have not verified this with a chronograph but CFE 223 shows higher velocities than many other powders, if that is important.

 

[Okie_Poke]

I use it because: (i) I can (usually) find it reliably where I live, (ii) it works with both 75-77 grain bullets in 5.56 and with 123s in my 6.5 Grendel, and (iii) it meters very well out of a volumetric powder thrower. I have found it gives better velocity from my Grendel than most other powders. AR-COMP is close but runs out of space before the ball powder does. I don't recall if I've compared its velocity in 5.56 to other powders or not. Accuracy has always been acceptable for what I ask ARs to do.

 

[cfullgraf]

I am interested in Ramshot X-Terminator too. It’s locally available and about 20% cheaper than H335.

Ramshot X-Terminator has the same loading data from Western Powders as Accurate 2230.

I understand that they are the same powders.

It just makes getting different powders easier.

 

[JEBruns]

I use it because: (iii) it meters very well out of a volumetric powder thrower.

Great point. I like Varget too, but it does work well through a volumetric powder thrower, especially with small neck cartridges. CFE223 does not have that issue.

 

[Necessary_Nutrient]

I tried following standard data for some 55 grain SP loads in .223 using CFE 223 but ended up 100 fps over the reference round I was using, Fiocchi 55 gr SP and with sticky extraction. Planning to drop down and load up about 500 of these as long as accuracy is comparable.

 

[Jdague12]

With the cost of Varget and the availability and cost of multiple other powders that work just as well as Varget, I’ll probably not buy Varget again. Unless the price comes down again. Varget was my choice for .223, .243, and 30-06. Nice to have a single powder.

 

[armoredman]

Between tac and varget I can't see adding another pony to the budwiser wagon, but if you like it why not.

In today's world of uncertain supply, why not have loads ready to go with whatever is available? I think I have data chronoed for 10-11 different powders in .223/5.56mm. I have loads from both CFE 223 and X-Terminator, as well, decent stuff.

 

[AJC1]

In today's world of uncertain supply, why not have loads ready to go with whatever is available? I think I have data chronoed for 10-11 different powders in .223/5.56mm. I have loads from both CFE 223 and X-Terminator, as well, decent stuff.

I'm all for having as many worked up loads as possible. Does it makes sense to expend primers on testing when tac is available. Stocking up makes more sense to me currently because powder is available and down from its peak while other critical components are not. If one were testing for a broad log book for their own cast bullet than any testing is warranted.

 

[2ndtimer]

With the cost of Varget and the availability and cost of multiple other powders that work just as well as Varget, I’ll probably not buy Varget again. Unless the price comes down again. Varget was my choice for .223, .243, and 30-06. Nice to have a single powder.

Actually, it seems that other extruded powders are catching up to Varget’s price these days. The ball powders are still somewhat more reasonable, but those extruded IMR and Hodgdon powders are catching up to Vihta Vuori currently.

 

[kcofohio]

Actually, it seems that other extruded powders are catching up to Varget’s price these days. The ball powders are still somewhat more reasonable, but those extruded IMR and Hodgdon powders are catching up to Vihta Vuori currently.

Makes sense, since all extruded powder is imported from countries that has more political issues going on there than us. Canada, Australia, Sweden(E.U.), etc.