Ej3
Member
- Joined
- May 6, 2017
- Messages
- 114
Having recently started loading .223 using WC-844 & M193 55 gr FMJ bullets, I decided to try heavier bullets considering my carbine length barrel with a 1/7 twist. So I swung by my local Sportsmans Warehouse today and picked up a pound of CFE223 and a box of Hornady 75 Gr BTHP bullets.
Rifle: AR-15 with a 16” FN barrel, 1/7 twist and a YHM Phantom QD suppressor.
Powder: Hodgdon CFE223
Bullets: Hornady 75 gr BTHP (P/N 2279)
Primers: WSR
COL & Crimp: 2.250" with light taper crimp
Cases: All Wolf Gold trimmed to 1.750”
Conditions: overcast, 64 deg F
Load Data:
Hodgdon: Start 23.0 gr (2680 fps) and Max 25.0 gr (2876 fps) - 24" barrel, 1:12" twist
Hornady (9th Ed.): Service Rifle Data - Start 20.2 gr (2200 fps) and Max 24.9 gr (2700 fps) – 20” barrel, 1:9” twist
Hornady (9th Ed.): NATO - Start 22.2 gr (2500 fps) and Max 26.5 gr (2900 fps) – 20” barrel, 1:7” twist
Here were my results, 5 shots each at 50 yds:
CFE223 (23.0 gr) – Avg 2369, ES-54, SD-19, 1.50” group
CFE223 (23.5 gr) – Avg 2429, ES-65, SD-27, 1.00” group
CFE223 (24.0 gr) – Avg 2498, ES-23, SD-11, 1.25” group
CFE223 (25.0 gr) – Avg 2612, ES-52, SD-19, 1.25” group
CFE223 (26.0 gr) – Avg 2704, ES-60, SD-22, 2.25” group
A few observations:
Rifle: AR-15 with a 16” FN barrel, 1/7 twist and a YHM Phantom QD suppressor.
Powder: Hodgdon CFE223
Bullets: Hornady 75 gr BTHP (P/N 2279)
Primers: WSR
COL & Crimp: 2.250" with light taper crimp
Cases: All Wolf Gold trimmed to 1.750”
Conditions: overcast, 64 deg F
Load Data:
Hodgdon: Start 23.0 gr (2680 fps) and Max 25.0 gr (2876 fps) - 24" barrel, 1:12" twist
Hornady (9th Ed.): Service Rifle Data - Start 20.2 gr (2200 fps) and Max 24.9 gr (2700 fps) – 20” barrel, 1:9” twist
Hornady (9th Ed.): NATO - Start 22.2 gr (2500 fps) and Max 26.5 gr (2900 fps) – 20” barrel, 1:7” twist
Here were my results, 5 shots each at 50 yds:
CFE223 (23.0 gr) – Avg 2369, ES-54, SD-19, 1.50” group
CFE223 (23.5 gr) – Avg 2429, ES-65, SD-27, 1.00” group
CFE223 (24.0 gr) – Avg 2498, ES-23, SD-11, 1.25” group
CFE223 (25.0 gr) – Avg 2612, ES-52, SD-19, 1.25” group
CFE223 (26.0 gr) – Avg 2704, ES-60, SD-22, 2.25” group
A few observations:
- For the top two powder charges, I discounted one shot each as probably my bad shooting.
- I am using an EOTech EXPS2-0, so I do not consider this precision testing. I had to adjust my optic left after the first set and was shocked with the grouping for the 23.5 gr load. Three literally hit the bullseye within a ½” diameter dot and two only ¾” high.
- I had no signs of pressure, including the top end load of 26.0 gr.
- Comparing the published Hodgdon data (24” barrel) to my results (16” barrel):
· 23.0 gr 2680 fps vs 2369 fps = 311 fps/8” = 39 fps/in.
· 25.0 gr 2876 fps vs 2612 fps = 264 fps/8” = 33 fps/in.
· Average 36 fps/in difference.
· So interpolating my best group at 23.5 gr would be about 2720 fps (2429 + 288). - I should probably try a few loads between 23.5 & 24 grs.
- Don’t forget to focus on accuracy and not velocity. If I had no chronograph, I would be clueless on velocity and would go with the lower charge for my particular barrel, powder & bullet combination.
- I would like to try out Ramshot TAC next for this particular bullet.
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