CFE223 with 175smk in 24 & 14.5" barrel wow !

[alpha6164]

Well I had tested CFE223 with 208 AMAX out of my 24"'GAP 308 with amazing results getting 2545ft/sec with 44.0gr loaded to 2.88"'. I wanted to see what this powder would do in the 175smk in the same rifle and my 14.5" POF 308.

Previously I would get 2670 ft/sec out of the GAP 308 and 2425 ft/sec from the POF with 44.3gr of Varget. Needless to say I was hoping for more speed out of the short barrel AR. So here were the numbers for today. Temperature was 68deg, loaded to 2.810"

GAP 308
47.2gr= average 5 shot velocity 2818 ft/sec
47.5gr= 2842 ft/sec. BEST GROUP
47.8gr= 2861 ft/sec
ES 13


POF 14.5"
47.2gr= avg 5 shot 2560 ft/sec
47.5gr= 2568 ft/sec BEST GROUP
47.8gr= 2601 ft-sec
ES= 11



Needless to say I am fricken stoked. I had no sticky lift from any of the rounds. Slight flatten primers on the 47.8gr and some ejector swipes on the semi on the highest load but that is about it. We are talking about a 170ft/sec increase from Varget on the middle group in the bolt action and 143 ft/sec increase in the POF. The 47.8gr group was subMOA and gave 2601 ft/sec. Hell that's what people get with Varget and 20" barrel so to get that velocity in a 14.5" semi is incredible.

This powder now has proven itself with 175smk, 208 AMAX in two different rifles so this will be my new 308 rifle.

 

[30SMK]

Re: CFE223 with 175smk in 24 & 14.5" barrel wow !

looks like I will have to open the pound that I have and give it a whirl.

Thanks for the information.

 

[.50 Cal Cow]

Re: CFE223 with 175smk in 24 & 14.5" barrel wow !

Was 47.2-47.8 a node from a work up or did you just pick those three points?

I had a decent group at 47.2 a shotgun spread at 47.5 and three in same hole plus flyer at 47.7gr using the 178HPBT. I noticed that 47.5 and 47.7 velocities rocked for consistent velocity. Had no pressure signs at 47.7.

This was at 2.895" seating with Black Hills brass but I think I'm going to seat around where your around and work back up from 47gr.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Re: CFE223 with 175smk in 24 & 14.5" barrel wow !

That's really inpressive, WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE A BALL POWDER?

No signs of excessive carrier velocity or port pressure in your POF? Are you running the stock carbine buffer and spring setup?

 

[alpha6164]

Re: CFE223 with 175smk in 24 & 14.5" barrel wow !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jchapman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Was 47.2-47.8 a node from a work up or did you just pick those three points?

I had a decent group at 47.2 a shotgun spread at 47.5 and three in same hole plus flyer at 47.7gr using the 178HPBT. I noticed that 47.5 and 47.7 velocities rocked for consistent velocity. Had no pressure signs at 47.7.

This was at 2.895" seating with Black Hills brass but I think I'm going to seat around where your around and work back up from 47gr. </div></div>



I picked that range from looking at a few other people and what their range was with either MR2000 and CFE223. I hear that CFE223 is a little more stable the way Hodgom adds their additives. I didn't want to start too low cause the whole point of this powder is to have a nice increase in velocity. But it seams like once you find the proper seating depth , most people find a nice node in the 47.0-47.8 range with the 175s.

 

[alpha6164]

Re: CFE223 with 175smk in 24 & 14.5" barrel wow !

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RyeDaddy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's really inpressive, WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE A BALL POWDER?

No signs of excessive carrier velocity or port pressure in your POF? Are you running the stock carbine buffer and spring setup? </div></div>



I used to feel the same way initially cause I was a huge Varget fan but there is a lot if reports that this powder is very stable and of course being a ball powder meters like a dream. So what's not to like.

I just checked my POF and it has the standard buffer. I could have sworn it has am H2 or H3 buffer. I may actually try a heavier buffer since obviously we are pushing the performance limits on this system and see his it does.