Reloading CFE 223 Powder with .223 / 5.56 MM ??

[billt]

What kind of performance and accuracy are you getting? What do you like / dislike about it? I'm looking for general purpose FMJ Ball loads. Preferably with the Hornady 55 Gr. FMJBT bullet. I'm hearing good things about this powder, and I'm thinking about switching from H-335 because of the Copper Fouling Eraser it contains. Both are ball powders that meter well through a Dillon measure, which is important. They show a maximum charge of 27.5 gr. with the 55 Gr. FMJ. Thoughts?

 

[MarinePMI]

Running 27grs of CFE2223 with 55gr Nos BT's. Absolutely devastating on prairie dogs, and a decent accuracy node in my Tikka. Had this load (literally) cause a PD's head to come off, and fly straight up about 20 yds into the air. Used the same load last year to nail three PD's (in succession) off a hole at 320yds; shoot the first one to fall over and block the hole, then follow up with the other two trying to move the first one out of the way. Felt almost like a PRS match stage...

 

[pmclaine]

Mind if I tag along.

Got 8 pounds I bought 2012 during the great powder drought.

Ill probably load CFE next spring when it comes time to make more 5.56.

Anyone have any 77 grain loads for this stuff?

I actually did a work up but didnt find anything that impressed me as ARComp and 8208XBR worked better with 77s.

Making thousands of "cheaper" 55 grain rounds on a Dillon S1050 to use up 7 pounds of CFE sounds attractive.

 

[MarinePMI]

@pmclaine I tried using CFE223 for heavy bullets and could never get it to shoot well (75gr ELDM) out of a known rifle with very good accuracy. I tried for the same reason as you; heavy bullets with an well metering powder. It seemed (just suspecting here) that ignition got erratic with this powder as the bullet got heavier. Again, just guessing from the ES/SD rising as the bullets got heavier.

 

[Rstrick0352]

I use it for Hornady 75grs BTHP with decent results. Sub MOA and very fast, though it is a hot load that eats up brass. My favorite for loading for matches where I’m making 100+ rds at a time and don’t like to worry about whether or not my powder measure is dropping accurately because this stuff drops wonderfully. My rifle liked the load very hot though so I’m not posting the recipe here for obvious reasons. Right around 2800fps in a 18” DD S2W barrel.

 

[pmclaine]

I remember CFE was accurate through the Dillon measure. TAC is the best thing I ever ran through the Dillon but despite its ease I didnt like the effect on paper as much as 8208XBR.

 

[Rstrick0352]

I remember CFE was accurate through the Dillon measure. TAC is the best thing I ever ran through the Dillon but despite its ease I didnt like the effect on paper as much as 8208XBR.

Totally agree with this. 8208 has the better chrono readings and accuracy edge for sure, I was just able to get CFE more readily at the time. I still get what I consider acceptable accuracy from CFE, though.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

For blasting loads like you’re looking to make, it works, but so does H335. If you already have H335 I wouldn’t ditch it to switch, especially if you’ve done development on multiple guns for it. If you’re getting low though and don’t have a bunch of rifles to redevelop for then I suppose it wouldn’t hurt, I’d still stick with H335 simply because I already have the data and CFE isn’t going to do anything H335 doesn’t.

For match ammo I think it’s a terrible choice as I’ve never gotten superb accuracy or consistency out of it, but that’s not what you’re looking for here.

Don’t buy into the copper fouling eraser BS, it’s marketing. It doesn’t copper foul any less or more than other powders. I will say it’s decently clean burning compared to what’s typical for ball powders, but to me so is H335.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Similar experience to everyone else here.
Good speed from CFE and capable of excellent accuracy with light to mid weight bullets, not so good with heavies. Meters awesome and seems to like being loaded hot.
I don't put any stock in it's copper erasing claim, but then again I don't really clean AR barrels.

 

[El Cid 92]

I'm prob gonna get flamed here.....

Hornady 55gr HPBT
28.5 gr of CFE - CAUTION, THIS IS OVER BOOK MAX!!!
LC Brass
CCI SM Rifle Primer
3035fps with 1MOA accuracy

Hornady 75gr HPBT Match
25 gr of CFE
LC Brass
CCI SM Rifle Primer
2700fps with 0.75 MOA accuracy

Sierra 77gr TMK
25gr of CFE
LC Brass
CCI SM Rifle Primer
2685fps with 0.75 MOA accuracy

This is shot from a MSTN Custom Build with 18" Noveske 1:8, 3 groove with Adjustable gas block.

All 3 loads are nice shooting and accurate. Hope this helps.

Andrew