Since varget is hard enough to find as it is im only down to 1 lb left i kinda wanna save it for my hunting loads, anyways went to the store one of the guys was saying that the CFE 223 is about the closest thing you can get to varget, was wondering if anybody has had some good results using this?
Cfe 223 ???
- Thread starter NFW
- Start date
It seems to work OK for the 308 and 223. It's a bit on the temperature sensitive side of things though. It's perfect for plinking, high-volume (3gun), or medium range work IMO.
I personally wouldn't consider it a Varget substitute though. I would think IMR4064 would be a closer choice.
I personally wouldn't consider it a Varget substitute though. I would think IMR4064 would be a closer choice.
Word on th interwebs is it supposed to be RL15 reformulated to be temp stable.... Seems to shoot like that for me
Last edited:
I hear ya man! the way things are going with all of these new powders, It's a b*tch to keep up with it all!
I had just been researching AR Comp before reading this thread.
I second the reference comparing Varget to IMR 8208 XBR. Both have great temp stability, are short grain extruded, and for me have performed in an almost identical manner. 8208 is shorter grain than Varget and meters well. I understand that in Australia, 8208 is called "Varget". Good luck.
You no, this is alittle off the subject but us guys "me included" seem to make such a big deal about using a certain powder an nothing else, because of advertisement saying powder A is effected less than powder B, in this Temperature. I'm curious, has anyone out there actually tested different powders in varying temperature/environment. etc. I live near Fort Benning and know AMU guys and a Gun Smith of theirs and they aren't afraid to switch powders at all if they can't abtain something. And yes fellows, they have a hard time getting things they need just like us. But, please post or start a thread on the differences and effects of varying powders by temperature if you have any private non bias data.
I used some in a new 18" 223 bolt rifle. 27 1/2gr got 3010fps with a .414" 5-shot group. I was Happy. Powder is very fine granules and Chargemaster loves it. Seemed like it was very "dirty" but one patch and it barrel cleaned up nicely. This was a new bbl and breaking it in was a daisy. Don't have a clue about the temp sensitivity but I was pleased with CFE.
CFE223 works better than Varget or RL-15 in my KMW .308 Bolt gun (using a 175 SMK), and it runs faster than either one. I'm running a 27" 1:10 twist tube and getting 2,750 fps no pressure issues and no temperature issues and that is saying something in the Vegas desert in the summer. Plus, as noted above it loads like a dream.
JeffVN
JeffVN
I just used CFE to work up a load for some heavies for my 223 bolt gun. Using Hornady 75gn match bthp over 23.2gn of CFE I got a nickle sized group at 100y and 2786fps with no pressure signs. I've also worked up accurate loads for 55 & 69 grain bullets. CFE always gives me excellent velocities in whatever I put it. I haven't really found it to be the most accurate powder in my 308's though. If I could only have 2 powders to pick from for my rifles, I'd have to go with CFE 223 and 8208XBR
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Yes, I have had personal experience with Reloader powders giving very different results due to temp. I have not nor will I use it or any other powder that does that for me. Temps vary 80 degrees throughout the seasons and as much as 50-60 throughout the day here. All depends on the weather.
Where I grew up in MT 100 degree swings in temp in a day in the spring were common. Your results very well are different.
That's what I'm hearing on Fort Benning. AMU guys and other top shooters (you would know their name) in the area are using it instead of Varget. It makes you wonder what shooters are really running when you come across these blogs that say their all using H4350 and H4831"out of 50 shooters in competition." I know for a fact although that H4895 won Camp Perry last year. I don't care what any blog says!
Similar threads
