CFE-223 ?'s

[K_4c]

Just picked some up for my OBR and m6a3.... Looking to get out this weekend for a couple hours and do a little load work up on this new powder.

Anybody have any experience with this product?

I loaded 50 rds consisting of virgin Lupua brass, cci 200 primer, 45.0 -47.0 grains of CFE-223 in .5 increments topped off with 175 smk @ 2.810 COL.

I'll post my results when time allows.

 

[Jimlaw83]

Re: CFE-223 ?'s

I just did my first load development with it this last weekend. Upper node for me was around 47.4 grains .010 off lands with 175 SMKs. I have a fast 24 inch barrel, but chrono averaged 2813 over 5 rounds in Winchester brass with CCI LR primers. Working on playing a bit more with seating depth to tighten the grouping, but it was around 2/3 moa. If I were you, stay lower with the lapua brass. With Winchester, I hit pressure at 47.7 (just starting to get a little sticky bolt and primers were fine, but case was getting tight on shellholder test).

By comparison, my accuracy load with 2000mr with same primers/brass/seating depth is 46.2 grains at 2747 fps. Gives me .4-.5 moa groups, even when throwing large batches of charges. I have pics of the ocw run, I'll try to post them here when I can. Also ran it with 75 bthps and 50 gr vmaxes in my varmint/target upper. SCHWEEEET!

 

[K_4c]

Re: CFE-223 ?'s

Nice!

Did you notice how the CFE tends to stick to things (almost like static electricity plays a part in this issue)? I bought 2 pounds of this stuff so I'm not out to much if I decide to stay with varget....

Thanks for the feedback. I'll post my results when I get out next.

 

[Denny2277]

Re: CFE-223 ?'s

O.K. I did a little shooting this past weekend with the CFE 223 and some 175gr Sierra Match Kings. I started with the starting load of 45.5 grains and worked up to 46.3 grains in .2 gr imcrements. The starting load had an average speed of 2656fps with a five shot group. The strange thing was the very first shot had a speed of 2707. After that last four shots had an extreme spread of 9fps and around 2654fps. All groups under 46 grains were right at MOA. At 46.1 grains the groups started to tighten up. At 46.3 grains the five shot group was at .5 MOA. There wasn't enough light to use the chronograph after the first group. I had another set of five rounds at 46.5 grains, but I didn't get a chance to shoot them. The rifle I used was a Savage Precision Carbine 20" 1 in 10. I used Winchester brass, WLR primers, at around 80 degrees and I ran a bore snake down the barrel after every five round set.
My next move is the get the chrony back up with good light and start out with the 46.3 grains and work up to the max load of 47.5. I think I'm getting pretty close to the money load now. Once I get close, I'm going to switch to Nolser brass and CCI BR2 primers and see where that takes me.

P.S. Every swipe with the snake was clean as a whisle. No fouling what so ever.

 

[jschroed]

Re: CFE-223 ?'s

CFE is hard to come by in these parts. The local reloading shop can't keep it on the shelf. Although, they haven't gotten many reviews from those who have used it?

 

[caseyru67]

Re: CFE-223 ?'s

I shoot 47.5 grains, pushing 175 smk's. 2700 fps, no pressure signs. Great accuracy. You can see my tests from my posts.

 

[K_4c]

Re: CFE-223 ?'s

Update:
I loaded some 175 SMK's over 45.5 grains of CFE223.... This stuff is great! My other pet load (43.5 grains of varget) performed well but the muzzle velocity was not nearly as consistent as CFE223 with roughly a 30 fps extreme spread.

My chrono data as follows:
2668 fps
2666 fps
2674 fps
2659 fps
2664 fps

The results: The IPSC target on the left was placed at 400 meters and the target to the right found a home at 600 meters... I would've liked to push it to 800 but the mirage kicked my ass.