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Hunting loads with CFE 223?

Jmccracken1214

Jmccracken1214

Old Salt
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Dec 10, 2018
    2,507
    1,160
    Thomasville, NC
    #1
    Anyone using this powder for hunting loads? Curios how it does with the temp. differences at most hunting distances?

    I have a varget load with 85 bthp for my 6 arc bolt gun but wont to run 108's with my 16" AR and varget wont be very fast for that.
     
    #2
    Jmccracken1214 said:
    Anyone using this powder for hunting loads? Curios how it does with the temp. differences at most hunting distances?

    I have a varget load with 85 bthp for my 6 arc bolt gun but wont to run 108's with my 16" AR and varget wont be very fast for that.
    Click to expand...
    Get LeverEvolution... Much more stable powder. I use CFE223 in my 6.5 Grendle, but had I started using Lever before CFE223, I'd have just stuck with Lever.
     
    #4
    Jmccracken1214 said:
    Im guessings its best with these powders to not load towards the top end during cooler weather so that you dont have pressure issues when it gets warm again?
    Click to expand...
    That's why it's best to develop loads in the summer. They'll typically shoot fine in the winter, too. I develop hunting loads in the winter (during hunting season), so I know they'll perform properly without any surprises.
     
    #8
    Jmccracken1214 said:
    I still want to hit where Im aiming. I dont want a 4moa deer load like the old fellers at my range like to use.
    Click to expand...
    Yeah, that’s not how it works. You gain or lose speed generally. As far as I’ve noticed in my experience anyway. I’ve not had a round go from 0.75-1 MOA to 4 at 100-200 yards.
    Here’s something to peruse if you want.
    www.snipershide.com

    Question about temp sensitive powders -- CFE 223 & Leverevolution

    Just built a new custom bolt gun in 6mm arc. Will be using it for long range varmint hunting. I have about 5 pounds of cfe and 8 pounds of lever on the shelf. everything ive ever loaded for ive always used hornady extreme powders, which are relatively temp stable. do you guys do anything...
    www.snipershide.com www.snipershide.com
     
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    #9
    I think most people loading for grendel have used or still use cfe as it gives great speeds, at the cost of temp stability of course. The 6 arc is not far from the grednel in terms of powders used and case design, etc.

    You'll be fine. Yes it's going to vary a bit with Temps cooling down but deer have fairly large vitals. At least large enough to not matter much for the changes you'll experience.

    I think someone else mentioned it already, you're not gonna be off too much. I'm also going to assume you're hurting inside 300 yards. If I'm off, it's because that info is not noted in the OP.

    I use tac, but like previously mentioned, lever will be good too. Don't sweat it too much though. Develop a load that shoots good and acceptable for you, and stick with it and have fun.
     
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    #10
    stello1001 said:
    I think most people loading for grendel have used or still use cfe as it gives great speeds, at the cost of temp stability of course. The 6 arc is not far from the grednel in terms of powders used and case design, etc.

    You'll be fine. Yes it's going to vary a bit with Temps cooling down but deer have fairly large vitals. At least large enough to not matter much for the changes you'll experience.

    I think someone else mentioned it already, you're not gonna be off too much. I'm also going to assume you're hurting inside 300 yards. If I'm off, it's because that info is not noted in the OP.

    I use tac, but like previously mentioned, lever will be good too. Don't sweat it too much though. Develop a load that shoots good and acceptable for you, and stick with it and have fun.
    Click to expand...
    300-350 is max shot where I sit, but I bait them around 100 yards.
     
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    #14
    supercorndogs said:
    Why not use 90 or 95g bullets? Ger that velocity up. For 350y it's not going to make much diffrence.
    Click to expand...
    It is for this reason I prefer slightly lesser weight bullets in hunting scenarios.

    It is also going to be a much flatter trajectory inside the 300 yards he will hunt.

    Somebody else mentioned it, heating and chilling some rounds and being able to read their Temps accurately could be a nice test and see how they group.
     
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    #15
    supercorndogs said:
    Why not use 90 or 95g bullets? Ger that velocity up. For 350y it's not going to make much diffrence.
    Click to expand...
    Ill try my varget/85 load it in it. Going by hornady book, its still safe in my AR even though its max load for bolt gun.

    29.5 varget for bolt gun. gas gun actually says 29.7 for the 85 bullet. Hopefully itll shoot half as good as my bolt gun.
     
    #16
    If I were going to use CFE-223 in a hunting rig it would be a short-range (250 and in) rifle due to the temperature sensitivity. I would also do load development in similar temperatures to hunting conditions if that were possible.

    I purposely choose temperature stable powders for hunting loads, even if it means I'm giving up a bit of performance.
     
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    #17
    Jmccracken1214 said:
    Ill try my varget/85 load it in it. Going by hornady book, its still safe in my AR even though its max load for bolt gun.

    29.5 varget for bolt gun. gas gun actually says 29.7 for the 85 bullet. Hopefully itll shoot half as good as my bolt gun.
    Click to expand...
    I have shot some 90 some kind of seirra blem with varget. 28g got me 2600. I have some loaded at 29 to chronograph. Hornady puts max loads with varget and the 90 eld at 2600fps in an 18". I feel like 29-30g is likley pushing it. I know with mp501 and the charge I use 100g Speers 29.5 they are around 2750 in my 22". So like 2690 in the 16 with room to go up assumedly I would think top end loads would be around 30.5-31. Could be less though as the 95g blems made more pressure with the same amount of powder as the 100g Speers I have. The more I look at it I think my 100g Speer 2620 load is probably just fine for deer. But the 90s in the high 27s to 28something sounds better.

    If it's cold I prefer to hunt with something striker fired which means my 280 and h4350.
     
    #18
    My CFE 223 Load with 75g Max for coyotes changed 100 fps from winter temps in the 20's to summer temps in the upper 90's. It was less than .3 tenths of difference out to 400y in my AR and Bolt gun.

    I have started a ladder test of 108 Elite hunters & CFE223. I hope to shoot those this weekend. They will be out of my 18" bolt gun. My AR is going to remain a backup truck gun with 75g pills.
     
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