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Hornady Match 168 and CFE
- Thread starter jcdean
- Start date
Re: Hornady Match 168 and CFE
if you have 178's 46 and 47.2 do well in my AAC-sd. i believe this powder does better on the hot side.
if you have 178's 46 and 47.2 do well in my AAC-sd. i believe this powder does better on the hot side.
Re: Hornady Match 168 and CFE
This stuff I trying to figure out. CFE + 168 Amax w/Win brass and Rem 9 1/2 LRP. I, and another guy I know who try same load, lots of bad things going on with primers cratering, extractor marks and deforming rims, brass comes out all battered (.308 AR's). Hodgdon book sais max CFE 49 gn for 168 SMK. All this bad stuff going on for me with 46.# CFE it even less I think.
178 Amax - none of that stuff going on with the 178 Amax that happens with 168 Amax. I've gone as high as 47.1 CFE with the 178's and none of that evil goin on. Tried both loads at about same ambient temp (70F).
With the 178's it looks like a accuracy node at 45.3 gn, or +-, CFE223 with nice velocities out of my 16" JP match barrel LR-308, but somewhere from 45 gn to 45.7 gn.
This stuff I trying to figure out. CFE + 168 Amax w/Win brass and Rem 9 1/2 LRP. I, and another guy I know who try same load, lots of bad things going on with primers cratering, extractor marks and deforming rims, brass comes out all battered (.308 AR's). Hodgdon book sais max CFE 49 gn for 168 SMK. All this bad stuff going on for me with 46.# CFE it even less I think.
178 Amax - none of that stuff going on with the 178 Amax that happens with 168 Amax. I've gone as high as 47.1 CFE with the 178's and none of that evil goin on. Tried both loads at about same ambient temp (70F).
With the 178's it looks like a accuracy node at 45.3 gn, or +-, CFE223 with nice velocities out of my 16" JP match barrel LR-308, but somewhere from 45 gn to 45.7 gn.
Re: Hornady Match 168 and CFE
NoFail. sounds like something weird is going on with pressures. assuming you are at around 2.8 OAL? maybe try upping the charge and see if you are starting to get a detonation issue with the lighter charge. everything ive seen with the 178's screams run em hot.
NoFail. sounds like something weird is going on with pressures. assuming you are at around 2.8 OAL? maybe try upping the charge and see if you are starting to get a detonation issue with the lighter charge. everything ive seen with the 178's screams run em hot.
Re: Hornady Match 168 and CFE
I dunno Twitch, I have gone over 48 gn with the 168's @ 70F. Terrific volocity 48.1 from my 16" average 2692 fps. But brass that comes out I have to throw lots away!! 178's likes it though. Varget with the 168 Amax is awesome so I'm going that route. Will try and refine 178's with CFE because velocity is reclaimed out of the 16". I have some 180 Nosler ballistic tips to try also.
I dunno Twitch, I have gone over 48 gn with the 168's @ 70F. Terrific volocity 48.1 from my 16" average 2692 fps. But brass that comes out I have to throw lots away!! 178's likes it though. Varget with the 168 Amax is awesome so I'm going that route. Will try and refine 178's with CFE because velocity is reclaimed out of the 16". I have some 180 Nosler ballistic tips to try also.
Re: Hornady Match 168 and CFE
Well, I answered my own question this afternoon.
168gr, Hornady Match
Lake City Brass
Win Primers
47.5 Gr CFE
Brass was FL resized and trimmed to 2.20"
Primer pocket crimps removed and threw it all in SS media till shiny.
Bullets seated to 2.815 OAL.
Rounds fired threw a FNAR. After five rounds I saw a primer laying on the bench top. Picked up all the brass and one was missing the primer. The brass with primers were slighly flattened, but no metal flow around the firing pin and no extractor marks on the case heads. Single fired three more checking brass after each shot. Third one dropped a primer again and we called it quits.
All shots were fired over a chrono. Average velocity was 2769 fps with a ES of only 16 fps for 8 rounds fired.
This load was a just a stab and was 1.5gr under the Hodgdon max. Called Hodgdon and they suggested to start a full 5% under the published starting load for the LC brass.
Well, I answered my own question this afternoon.
168gr, Hornady Match
Lake City Brass
Win Primers
47.5 Gr CFE
Brass was FL resized and trimmed to 2.20"
Primer pocket crimps removed and threw it all in SS media till shiny.
Bullets seated to 2.815 OAL.
Rounds fired threw a FNAR. After five rounds I saw a primer laying on the bench top. Picked up all the brass and one was missing the primer. The brass with primers were slighly flattened, but no metal flow around the firing pin and no extractor marks on the case heads. Single fired three more checking brass after each shot. Third one dropped a primer again and we called it quits.
All shots were fired over a chrono. Average velocity was 2769 fps with a ES of only 16 fps for 8 rounds fired.
This load was a just a stab and was 1.5gr under the Hodgdon max. Called Hodgdon and they suggested to start a full 5% under the published starting load for the LC brass.
Re: Hornady Match 168 and CFE
Mac 308 case length is 2.015, trimming to 2.2 may be giving you pressure.
Mac 308 case length is 2.015, trimming to 2.2 may be giving you pressure.
Re: Hornady Match 168 and CFE
In reading of CFE223 experiences it appears that most of those having primer issues are shooting it in gas guns. Those that are shooting in bolt guns not so much.
I'm loading up a test batch starting at min and going all the way to max with some 168 gr BTHP's and 169 A-max. Hopefully I won't see any of the pressure issues with my Remington and it's endless freebore.
I hope that this powder works out as I'm tired of the hassle of trying to get a powder dispenser that handles varget as easy and accurate as the ball powders.
I can also switch to one powder for both my .223 and .308 loads.
In reading of CFE223 experiences it appears that most of those having primer issues are shooting it in gas guns. Those that are shooting in bolt guns not so much.
I'm loading up a test batch starting at min and going all the way to max with some 168 gr BTHP's and 169 A-max. Hopefully I won't see any of the pressure issues with my Remington and it's endless freebore.
I hope that this powder works out as I'm tired of the hassle of trying to get a powder dispenser that handles varget as easy and accurate as the ball powders.
I can also switch to one powder for both my .223 and .308 loads.
Re: Hornady Match 168 and CFE
I shot a 4.7" group @600yds back in August with 47grs CFE and the 168AMAX, Lapua brass, CCIBR primers, bullets seated to an OAL of 2.825".
I shot a 4.7" group @600yds back in August with 47grs CFE and the 168AMAX, Lapua brass, CCIBR primers, bullets seated to an OAL of 2.825".
