TESTED: Hodgdon's CFE-223 Smokeless Powder
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
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Have you used Hodgdon’s CFE 223 ball powder? CFE stands for Copper Fouling Eraser and is designed to provide greater accuracy for longer periods of time with less cleaning, making it ideal for competition and varmint shooters. It’s also not just for 223!
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I've loaded .223 using H335 and the surplus equal to it for many years. Not being able to find H335 recently I started using CFE223. I ran a ladder test with CCI magnum primers and Hornady 55gr fljbt bullets. I found all 5 steps shot nearly identical at 50 and 100 yard. The lowest charge dropped off a few inches at 200yds. It meters great in an old hornady powder measure (previous to the lock and load model). I'm using lee dies. I size and decap my brass, tumble the lube off, trim to length, take the primer crimp out, chamfer in and out, and prime by hand. I use an old rickety Lee Pro1000 to add powder, powder check, and seat with the slightest crimp. I did another ladder test using normal CCI small rifle primers and found the same results.
9th
I started Fclass in 2016 using a 223 and 80.5 Bergers and evaluated powders including Varget, RL15, 4064, and found CFE gave the widest node and best accuracy. A few years later a new barrel for 90VLD gave gave the same outcome. My buddy and I have shot national records using this! In the current NRA magazine a detailed evaluation showed CFE was only slightly more temperature sensitive than Varget, but don't leave your bullets exposed to the hot summer sun! Otherwise I have not experienced any temperature sensitivity.
I love CFE223 for varmints in the spring and summer. I discovered that load testing this winter was futile. CFE is no good in cold winter temps. Groups and velocities were all over the place.
Excellent performance and velocity for the 308!!!
I use it in my Ruger Ranch AR 5.56 with 70gr RDF at 3000fps. Zero pressure signs. And the trajectory change is significant over factory ammo! Excellent past 600y and very effective of coyotes and small predators!
I used cfe 223 in 17 Remington. The first thing I noticed was that throughout the listed load data, there was no flattening of the velocity curve. With each increase of powder you got a predictable increase in velocity. I also had good groupings with every load, so I just stopped at the velocity I wanted. I was shooting a 20 gr. HP at 4100 fps in to a group at 100 yards that the base of the shell casing would cover.
It’s a great powder that I use in 223 as well.
Love this stuff in my 17 and 204.
I’ve been using this powder for a while now in my .308. Using 130 grain Barnes TTSX under 52 grains of CFE223. It’s super accurate, and have shot loads of big wild boar and red stags in Hungary and Germany with it. One observation I would be interested in you guys testing, is it’s temperature sensitivity.
This!
I came here to see if they covered this,but based on your comment, I guess they didn't.
CFE 223 is my favorite 22-250 powder, BUT it's temperature sensitive. Keep ammo in the shade or in a protected container. A safe load at 80° gets to be a high pressure load at 100°. A great powder when used with common sense.
What about extreme cold ? Does it change point of impact ?
@jamestboehm6450 That's interesting, I hadn't noticed that it was temp sensitive. Maybe because I rarely run max loads, usually the best accuracy turns out to be somewhere in the middle, I love cfe223 powder though, easy to meter and works well in most the calibers I reload.
Just purchased 2 pounds of CFE 223 recently and plan on doing load data for various calibers. I only did a 308 AR-10 with 150gr. BTHP using 51.1grs. I used LR mag. primers. Standard primers were not giving me good results. I also tried a Lee factory crimp and that had a negative effect also. Now that my chrony is back in action I'll be working up some loads. I am also working on a 6.5 X 55 and a 6MMBR in a AR platform. The 6.5 Swedish puts that over hyped Creedmoor in the back seat. Great show. I have been reloading for 54 years. Passing it on to the Grand Kids before I go to the big spiritual coefficient in the sky. I like the logo I reload therefore I am.
I use the CFE 223 in 30-30 with a 170 and got great results in a lever gun. 1/2 inch groups at 50 yards with 35.0 grains and great velocities. I also use it in the 224 Valkyrie with great results. I like this powder! Thumbs up from me!!!!!
One thing I want to see (in general) on these powder tests is to get velocity in short barrels. Get like a 10.5" SBR or pistol and see what powder gives the best performance in that platform.
I’ve tested this powder in 308 with a 16 inch barrel and 168 amax. Had a top speed of 2700 ftps
I use cfe223 in my 15" 708 barrel, goes great with both 120s and 140s
I’ve worked up a .5” group with cfe223
16”
308
Can’t remember exactly but it was hitting 2750+
175 smk
WAY to hot.
Crazy ejector marks.
Flat primers
I like my brass, my rifle and my face so I don’t shoot it anymore.
Funny thing is I was at max published data
Damn good info guys…I’m loadin .308 147s,168s,175mk’s for my dd5v3 and been lookin for 16” data thinkin my velocities would be 25 and under…much appreciated
Arborist460 that was my concern too. But it turns out you can push a 16” pretty hard. I’m glad I got mine. Even With my suppressor it packs very well.
How I dealt with the stick powder load drop issues is to use an extra long drop tube( 4"-6"); it spreads out load's drop over a slightly long time, preventing the stick powder bunching up on the case mouth.
I'm currently developing a 6.5 Grendel for a customer, and we're using the 130 grain Sierra Game Kings. Wasn't the bullet of choice, but supplies are limited these days; that said, I do know three individuals running the CFE223 in the 6.5 Grendel with great success, and all of them are using the Nosler 129gr ABLR. All are running magnum primers as well.
I was just thinking about the 6.5 Grendel in the AR with a 120 grain Sierra Pro Hunter. What are your thoughts on that combination using CFE223?
@@stephenhair5501
I would imagine it would do well. Thus far I've seen really low ES and SD with great accuracy. Just know that CFE223 has a lot of case fill for the Grendel.
@@chrisrobinson2172 Thanks Chris! Is there any data on a starting load for the CFE223 for the Grendel?
@@stephenhair5501
I will always say start low and work up, and the low point is bullet weight dependent of course. I think I started around 28 grains, and ran the ladder up to 31.7 grains. I did hit 3 nodes in the ladder test, but those nodes wouldn't be of use to you since you're different (gun, powder lot, primer or primer lot, and probably bullet and brass as well. I think my middle node was found around 29.9 grains. That said, never trust someone else's data. Always start low, work up, and verify your own data.
Chronographed this load last week ... 123g sst - 29.7g cfe - 2485 fps av. , 10 shot group. 22" howa mini action. 65°f - 15mph . Fireforming used brass , winchester primer. 120 yd. on paper. Limiting factor on accuracy is my 70 yr. old eyes , 4 power scope & WIND ... Hornady states 31.2g max. CFE will get you velocity, also TAC & Varmint. Hope this data is of assistance.
I use it for 5.56 pushing 55 and 62 grain projectiles. I also use it to push 150 grain GMX in a 308 win getting 2929fps at the muzzle. I have cleaned the bores after 100 rounds and found that Boretech eliminator didn't pick up but a hint of blue/green on the patches! The copper fouling eliminator really works on my rifles.
Have used this in a 6.5 Grendel with awesome results.. good speed and accuracy
What bullet and primer are you running in the Grendel?
I primarily have been using Winchester Small Rifle Primer... and use 123gr Hornady SST and ELD-M
@@chrisrobinson2172 CFE shines with the 120-130 bullets. I use Nosler CC 123 and Hornady ELDM 123 interchangeably with CCI 450 primers.
I load 223 on a progressive press using a 62g bullet. I use CFE223 and Varget. I prefer Varget because it feels smoother to shoot. But I like the measuring consistency of CFE223. This was mentioned in the video. I use a Double-Alpha magnetic powder check. Because Varget is a stick powder I have to dial back the sensitivity on the powder check because Varget fills the case in a less uniform manner. I get a lot more beeps with Varget. Upon manual inspection, the powder measures correctly on the bench scale.
Same as everyone else in the comments, I have a love, hate relationship with this powder. I was pushing 3900 fps in my 22-250 with Hornady 55gr Vmax bullets with a load much lower than the listed maximum in the manuals I have listing the powder. It shot exceptionally well, used it lots over a good winter of coyote hunting. Spring rolled around and immediately popped a primer, very temp sensitive, I noticed the large velocity increase over the other powder available only occurs near max load, when down loaded it was significantly under velocity. Your milage vary, load this powder with caution.
Had the same winter-summer pressure spike in .308 using its sibling, BL-C (2).
@The_Austin_Doell Where did you get your load data? Just curious because this is twice I've seen a high pressure comment, and I've not experienced that? I don't know if it's because I'm not using max loads, or what? Either way I get my data from hogdons online site.
This is the only powder I use for my .223 with a 29" hart barrel on a savage model 12 great accuracy and not a lot of cleaning. Thanks for all your advice and help.
Never been disappointed with cfe 223.. have many personal loads with that powder
I'm kind of surprised Gavin didn't mention using CFE-223 in his 224 Valkyrie, or if he did I missed it. He had great success with the Berger 80.5 Fullbore which encouraged me to continue with the Valkyrie despite a string of disappointment. I replicated Gavin's success with the Bergers and have used CFE-223 very successfully with SMK 90s--you just have to shoot them fast which CFE-223 is good at. I've also used 2000-MR which is very similar to CFE-223.
Love this powder! I use it extensively for .223 69-77gr and. 30-30
Love this powder in 308. Reason for it is that it gives really good velocity. That is important in sweden and norway since we can load class 1 (you can shoot anything legally) hunting round with 150gr lead free rounds. Even in really short barrels.
I saw a video where a coyote hunter was using a 243 70gr bullet w/ IMR 4895 which he couldn't get anymore but found the CFE 223 for a replacement powder.
You guys didn't list the 243 but he might be on to something.
I got into reloading recently and this is one of the first powders I'm loading with. The other being Varget. Will say the velocity difference between the two is crazy cases being the same I reloaded some 155 gr Bergers over 45.5 gr of Varget and was just barely reaching 2744 fps. Depending on which manual (Berger, Hornady) I used this may be overcharged. According to Speer and Hodgdon I'm about 1.5 gr under max. With the CFE-223 I loaded a 165gr SST over 45.3 gr and easily obtained 2700 FPS and with 155 gr Bergers over 47.6 gr I was over 2900 FPS. Which by all the manuals that had a load for CFE-223 was well under max charge. I have shot the CFE out of several different brands of brass to include Federal, Norma, Barnes, and Hornady. The 165gr SST over the CFE produced good groups about 1-1.25 " groups with decent SD's hovering around 8-12 FPS, with the 155gr Bergers the groups opened substantially to 3"+ groups with SDs about the same. Working on trying to get SDs lower and hopefully get the Bergers to not shoot as crazy because I love the velocity, but right now I would be comfortable using either the Bergers or the SSTs out to 300 yards. Working on getting the SD and ES down on both loads and hopefully shrinking the groups.
Gavin, I use CFE 223 for .308 with the 150 grain Accubond at 2850 FPS getting 1/2 MOA groups for whitetail in my Remington Model 7. Also use it in 6mm Remington with 87 Grain Vmax and will be experimenting with 53 Grain Vmax in 22-250 soon. Great powder and great video, Thanks!
I had 2 loads in 223 using Hornady 68 and 75 grain bullets and Varget that shot half inch groups at 100yds. I tried to work up loads with CFE and the same bullets and the best I could get was 1.5 inch. I used CFE with 55g Nosler and it consistently shot .3-.5 inch groups. Hornady 50g vmax with CFE was even better.
@bsievers33 Cfe seems to excel with light bullets, I've never tried it with heavy for caliber because I have powers that give better results, I know it shoots amazing in .243 with a 58gr bullet and screaming fast basically a laser beam for about 300 yards, I guess that's what 3900fps does though lol.
I run BBB's 55 gr fmj with 25.0 grains of CFE223 in my 1-12 twist 26" Rem 700 and am able to consistently shot under 1/2 MOA or .50" groups at 100 yards. Love this stuff
I have a love/hate relationship with cfe223. I love how it meters, I like the price when I last bought it. It was less expensive than everything else. Probably not the case now. I really like the high velocity I can get with it, 50 gr bullet at 3950 fps in a 24” 22-250… sometimes. It is a temperature sensitive powder, and I’ve also experienced unacceptable velocity spreads with this powder in some conditions. Sometimes almost 100fps on the spread. The accuracy is not bad, but not great as a result.
On the other hand, Varget gets me single digit velocity spreads, excellent accuracy, and although not the highest, very respectable velocity.
Found same great everything but accuracy. H380 is still be all end all for me in the 22-250
@Operational AF yeah varget isn’t really ideal for 5.56, unless you get into heavy bullets where the powder charges will be appropriate for varget. Different story with the 22-250.
@Operational AF Chrono your rifle at different temps. CFE223 is terribly temp sensitive.
Great video.
Just started my adventure into reloading and am learning the powders.
Currently I have the CFE223 and BLC(2) as powders and curious to see how they compare.
Just picked up a 30-30 and am pleasantly surprised CFE223 will work on reloading rounds.
I use it for 223 55 and 75gr , 308 150 and 168gr, 30-06 150gr. Keeps things simple and it loads smooth. Just make sure to check speeds at different temps.
I’ve loaded CFE- 223 in 260 Remington, 7-MM08 ,,223 , 308,and I have experienced good results in accuracy, and velocity in all of those ,,the one thing a reloader should be told about this powder is that , cartridge case capacity maximum load is a very fine line , be careful and go up in very small increments while testing for a max load ,, this powder gets there at a faster rate than a lot of the powders I’ve loaded.
Yes sir. It will flat out spike in a hurry.
Im not great on newest powders. But I have a few. This one I have had for almost a year but only just tried some. Learned its a dandy for my heavy bullet 35 Whelen loads!!!! NEVER expected that!!!!
But I just tried some in 80g 223 loads. (Also a first for me) the vel was slower then expected but seems to shoot very well. Ill be trying it more. Already have a slight heavier 80g loaded.
Another excellent video.
I have used it for the 6mm arc using 95g Berger classic hunter bullets, makes an excellent pig hunting combination using an ar platform
Been watching your channel for years. Very informative content!! Thank you Gavin. Keep up the great data 👍
Cfe has given me some the most accurate loads I've developed, especially with 58gr vmax in .243 sub moa all day long, and I was about to give up on the vmax in my rifle before that.
any tips on a 243 load? i have 58grn vmax what powder charge do you get the best results from? thank you
@nigelhumphreysfsuk2833 I used data from hogdons online site, I would have to see what I wrote down, but I'm sure all I did was start somewhere in the middle, as in split the difference from the starting load to the max, then I usually do 3 rounds at that, then do a ladder at .2 gr upwards until I find a load that gives the best accuracy. I've had good results in multiple calibers with cfe223, I'm also a big fan of 3031 but its a little more difficult to work with being a stick type powder.
@@wymonwatson1309 I will check it out thank you very much for your reply. I really appreciate it. 👍👍
I'm running CFE223 behind a 129 grain ABLR from my 6.5 Grendel which is about as heavy a pill as a Grendel can handle. Out of an 18" barrel, I'm sitting right at 2400 fps with 1/2" groups. I was hoping to see you continue your temperature stability testing with this powder as that's one of the powder's major criticisms.
I’ve actually been using it to launch the heavy bullets for 308. I don’t get as low of a SD/ES as when I use imr4064 but I get more velocity.
It's one of my favorite powders for 223 rem! I run all my match loads from 69-77 grain bullets
I am convince CFE 223 is BLC2 with the copper fouling additive.
I have to agree. Though i have no data to back it up, its only just what i`ve noticed between these 2 powder, myself.
@texpatriot8462 Well it doesn't shoot the same, it may have similar properties but I do not believe it's the same. I have vastly different results with blc compared to cfe? At least as far as accuracy and being picky, the cfe is much more forgiving when it comes to just throwing together a load and it shoots well, with blc you have to ladder to find the node, cfe has a bigger spread of what will shoot accurately, at least in my experience, that said I like both and use both quite a bit.
I haven't loaded much with it. But 50s to 69s in 223. Nothing outstanding but good. I have loaded up a ladder test type with 5 shots per incriminate in 308 with 155 BTHP. And I loaded a couple boxes of a moderate safe zone of the 155s for basic trigger time range days. Looking forward to gathering data this spring. Thank you.
I bought a Savage M12 in 6.5 Creedmoor a few years back and I load a PPU 120gr OTM bullet over charges of H4350 or Win 748/760 and enjoy 1/2moa performance on a good day if I do my part. Lately I been fooling around with CFE223 and StaBall 6.5. in my 95gr Hornady V-Max loads. I bore scope my rifles after an afternoon out and depending on what I see determines if I break out the Patch Out or not. After 60 rounds most times you will see a nice burnished layer of copper streaking down the barrel, I believe the CFE is doing what it claims, hard to tell. Thinking back is difficult but it seems to make a difference, we'll see. As the weather warms myself and my buddies will have our annual shoot off over Memorial Day and my M1a will come out and it's not unusual to run through 500 rounds of 308 on the weekend so I'll make sure all my reloads are filled with CFE223 and after 3 lbs. of it run down the tube I'll have a better idea.
Use CFE 223 in my 5.56 and 22-250 it works ok. But I found BLC-2 and Varget do just as well and sometimes easier to find in smaller stores.
Try as I might, I haven't been able to find a good load with CFE 223 using the Hornady 62 grain FMJ, groups (if you can call them groups) all over the place. However, when I load up the Hornady 60 grain V-Max, my Ballistic Advantage 1:8 twist barrel loves them with very consistent groups in the 1/2" neighborhood.
I’ve used it in my 224 Valkyrie with 80.5 and 85.5 Bergers. It shot beautifully, but came out of tune when the temps outside got hot.
I use it in .204 Ruger with 40 gr. V-Max. I find it very accurate (1/4 MOA-ish) and faster than my IMR4895 load. A charm to reload.
I use it in 6 Creed, 7mm-08, .308 and .30-06. It works great for almost every weight range in the .308. I have a fantastic pet load with it using 155 gr. ELD-Ms that shoots dangerously tight out of my .308 and is so consistent out to 1000 yards.
This is a good powder for 6.5 Grendel with heavier (120--130grn) bullets. I like this with a 129grn ablr. I've heard that leverevolution and cfe223 are "interchangeable" at least in a 6.5 grendel load. I haven't been able to try this out since i can't find any powder at the moment.
Great review, I buy factory for now. But will definitely look into this when I finally decide to reload for myself.
I’d like to see some of these tests with Shooters World powders. They seem to be available fairly often and have powders similar to some popular Hodgdon powders
With CFE223, the only load I was able to get sub MOA out of a match barrel (for 223) is a 62gr penetrator. I tried it with both RMR's 69gr HPBT and Hornady's 68gr HPBT-M and got horrid groupings. I then used Varget and instantly got sub MOA with the Hornady, but you simply can't stuff enough powder into the case. I tried Accurate 2520 with the 68gr and got great results too, and quite a bit faster shooting than the varget. I also have worked up a good high speed load using Ramshot TAC with extreme 42gr FMJ. Close to MOA and hitting 3700fps out of my 20" barrel. I now reserve Varget solely for my 308. I'm going to keep CFE223 just for standard 55gr stuff where I don't care about high accuracy.
CFE-223 and H335 are two of the best powders for 223/556 55GR especially compared to stick powders (easier to reload and it seems to burn better in shorter barrels). CFE-223 has done well with 50 to 68GR bullets producing 1 MOA and frequently 1/2 MOA (Hornady 68 BTHP) depending on conditions in my BA AR barrels from 12" to 16". Both CFE-223 and H335 seems to do a lot better with loads closer to the max recommended for 223. Cleaning and maintenance seems to be easier with CFE-223.
@@stickfighter1038 I prefer the ball powers as well, but a full case of 3031 and a 53gr vmax stuffed on top of it basically replicates hornadys 53gr superformance load and the ballistics on that bullet are amazing, the bc is unbelievable for such a light projectile, you will half your drop at 300 yard, its pretty amazing.
I shoot CFE223 in my .223 loads for 3gun using .55gr bullets. Even got my first deer this past fall with CFE223 loaded behind a 55gr vmax at about 50yds and with the double lung + heart shot the lungs were pulverized.
Great powder, and I might just use it for more applications.
Wow...quite surprised to hear that a 55 vr vmax did that to a deer. I have always thought of that vmax as a varmint round. Intereting.
A great choice for 6.5 Grendel
24 inch mossberg mvp
Cfe
55 grain everglades btsp
Last years farthest woodchuck was 225 yards and these loads were extremely useful
CFE223 in 35 Whelen is a beast, 250gr Speer bullets at 2650fps is 338 Win Mag horsepower. Turns the old classic into a fire-breathing monster. Check Speer's public load data.
I saw this as well there advertised numbers are quite remarkable. I haven't yet tried but a friend did and could not reach advertised numbers.
I was able to reach 2550 average in my 22” barrel whelen. Have you experienced any temp sensitivity?
I have used CFE in my AR-15 with Nosler 77g bullets for across the course shooting in service rifle matches. Shoots fine, greatly simplified my reloading. No screwing around with 2-3 different loads for various distances. Meters great.
I use CFE223 for my 224 Valkyrie with the 90 gr Sierra MatchKing bolt action and accuracy is amazing.
Used cfe223 In 223 and 308. Worked really well but I found it gives a very narrow window for charges which can easily lead to over pressure with temp changes. If I worked a load up at 5c then tried the same load in 20c It would be over pressure. Worked Great though
I did a ladder test using CFE 223, Lapua brass, GM210M primers, and Hornady 150 SSTs in my Mauser M18 308 Win. I worked up to the published max powder charge, and I was getting 190 fps faster velocities than what was in the manual, but I haven't done a seating depth test yet. I'm not sure if I'll use this combo because I'm worried about temperature stability. The temperature was 49F when I did the ladder test, so I don't want to continue load development until I redo the ladder test in warmer weather.
Need to try some 8208xbr in a progressive. The stuff meters reasonably well for an extruded powder and won't stick to powder checks
I have switched to CFE223 specifically for the my Dillion progressive loading. I have had absolutely no issues with consistency of charge weight.
I have used CFE223 since 2012. I used it in 300WM and 6.5-06, but the only thing I still use if for is 260 Rem 3.0" OAL. The 1) temp variation is not the only problem. In small primer 260, the small mag rifle primers 2) can only set off less than a case full of CFE.
It’s a great speed powder for light bullets in a 22-250 as well.
I built a custom 18" AR Precision Rifle. I have been using CFE-223 to come up with loads for a number of 223 cartridge recipes with 60 grain VMAX bullets and a few others. Now I just have to test the loads to see what shoots good out of my rifle. So I have been using CFE 223 but have yet to see how it does at the range. I'm excited to see what the results will be.
I really like CFE223 for the .22-250. With a 53gr V-Max 3750fps and a 60gr V-Max 3400fps. Accuracy is outstanding at .28 inches and .36 inches respectively at 100yds. Remington 700 with a 24 inch McGowen barrel. Barrel cleanup is a breeze.
Used Tubb Dust in 204.
Shot bout 100 rounds without TubbDust then bout 50 rounds with.
Was shocked at 'ZERO' evidence of copper fouling...no blue on the patches at all...I was truly surprised...thought there would be minimal fouling, or, faint trace of fouling...
Viva TubbDust
I load for many cartridges. Probably close to a dozen on a regular basis. This is one of my standard powders to start load development with. Sometimes it works well and sometimes there are better options. In the loads that work I find it very accurate. I am not a long range shooter and do mostly coyote hunting at under 300 yards. I do find that it is harder to get the lowest SD with this powder compared to some others. In the 556, 22 250, 22 creedmoor, and 6 mm creedmoor I have some working loads that are well under one MOA with my thermal scope. And I focus on lighter bullets for those cartridges. In the 6mm creedmoor my current working loads are 55 and 70 grain bullets with CFE. Due to availability issues I try to have a backup load and it is frequently staball.
I have some 77s I plan on loading this summer...
This stuff is great for targets in 55 grn fmj bthp. As you mentioned, it meters like buttah
In Lapua match brass in 223 Remington and 77 SMK , 25gr. CFE223 powder I get 2560 fps. Chrono with slight flattening of Federal Gold Medal match primer. I can't remember off hand but Ramshot has a powder, that if you research, you'll find has way better velocity. I will load Cfe223 in 223 and 308 because I have it to load. When other powders come available I will be working new loads for both. It is temperature sensitivity. Spikes pressure very fast, leaves a black soot and has a distinct odor most do not like. However, times like they are work up loads to use in the heat of summer because fall or winter workings may get you into trouble.
Loading 35 Whelen. 225g Sierra gk and 225g Barnes tsx. Getting 2850-2900 fps.
Just bought some CFE223, for the versatility. Haven’t used it yet.
This video is helpful.
This is my preferred powder for highpower shooting. 75gr HDY BTHP and Amax. I load on a Hornady Progressive and have had excellent results.
5.45x39 with a 60grn V-Max CFE223 does great. I pulled some 65 grn Wolf FMJ's that I want to try to work a load up for
I've had wonderful experiences working with CFE223 in my various .223/5.56mm rifles and especially my pistols using the Hornady 55 gr. FMJ-BT bullet -- the "plain vanilla" bullet much like the one used in the military 109 load. From a 10.5-inch barrel, I expected a serious price tag on velocity loss, but I was delighted to find that my chronograph was consistently giving me readings in the mid 2,700 fps range. I use a very old (1965) RCBS Uniflow measure, and this powder meters more consistently than any other powder I've ever used except maybe Accurate 2230 powder. I get much less smoke, and almost no appreciable copper fouling as well, so the powder lives up to its name.
I was really surprised to learn that I can use this powder in the .30-06, too. I have a 1943 vintage Remington made Springfield M1903 that I'd like to bring out of retirement to shoot with very light loads, as well as to teach my teenage grandsons about shooting bigger rifles. Finding load data for bullets lighter than 150 gr. is problematic I can see, so if anyone has suggestions, I'd be more than happy to hear about them.
Thank you for a great, informative video.
Got good results in my AR15 using Hornady 75gr BTHP. Trying it out in .308 next.
I just recently loaded this up in my 6.5 grendel in a ladder with some speer gold dot 120 grain bullets. I'd be interested in seeing some loads in a 6.5 grendel with this powder.
I’m using 52.2 grains with 125’s in ,308 getting great results, I lost my velocity numbers on this load sorry, and using 24.4 grains with 77’s in .223 getting 2520 fps out of a 16”.
Disappointing velocity numbers with the 77gr SMK’s, but stellar accuracy.
I use it in 223, everything from a 50 grain nosler ballistic tip to a 73 grain ELD-M. It's the only powder I've used in 223 so I don't really have anything to compare to. Going to try it in 308 pretty soon though, with a 168 SMK
I have been out of reloading for several years. Just wanting to get back into it some for some 223, 300 BO, 9mm and 38/357 magnum. I had my eye on a pound of CFE223. Then I read a forum post from someone that said "One good thing about CFE is if someone tells you to use it, you know to not listen to anything they tell you about reloading." I think maybe that guy didn't know what he was talking about. I bought H335 instead, which was a few bucks more than the CFE223. I think I have some 2520 left over from the last time I reloaded 223 Rem for the AR rifles. I have H110 left over from reloading 44 mag and 300 Blackout. I'd like to try all of the CFE powders. My main pistol powder has been Bullseye followed by #2 and I have a pound of Autocomp that I tried out. Can't remember what I thought of it. I think it's not a popular powder?
Found some at Savannah gun show early 2021 for a decent price. Gonna reload some .308 for the first time in a week.
When Varget was dry around here CFE 223 was my go-to powder for 308-223 and light 270 rounds
IMR XBR 8208, dont talk about versatile without talking about this in progressive presses! Kills it in heavy for caliber projectiles in 5.56/7.62. Along with calibers like 6.5 grendel. H322 and benchmark I've seen better results with than CFE.......Try IMR XBR 8208, if you want to do CFE try CFE for the blackout
Perfect for emergency earthquake supple
as weird as this sounds I am using it to load 180gr gmx for 8mm mauser, heard it does rather well but haven't gotten a chance to test loads yet.
Hitting consistently accurate 500 yard shots out of 14.5 DD M4. No complaints. BCG cleans up real easy
26gr 55gr fmjbt makes great target rounds for my 18" rifle length gas 223 wylde AR. Went from 25 to 27 in .2gr increments and go figure 26 gr was best group at 100yds.
That’s what I use
With 6 ARC this powder works great with heavy bullets.
This powder is not repeat NOT a light bullet powder in 223 and similar case capacities as the data shows . It is a light bullet powder in larger case capacity cartridges but look at it’s burn rate . This powder excels in my 6mm hagar bolt gun with 105-108 gr bullets as well as the heavier bullets in my 223/5.56 yielding higher velocity than most other powders . In my hagar the 29.5 to 30.5 gr loads are shooting in the .2 moa and less . That range allows a 30 gr load on my Dillon and is great for bulk loading sessions and still yielding great accuracy
CFE 223 gets me an impressive 1MOA or less out of my Ruger AR 556 with 69 grain RMR BTHPs, but I noticed that it's a bit overgassed. It throws casings at like 1.5 o'clock.
What's your powder charge? I'm seriously eyeing those RMR 69gr and I have a lot of CFE223 to play with.
@@MobiusUSAH 24.8 grains. I've only tried them in one gun, so YMMV.
I found CFE223 to be the very best powder for my 30 30s with 170 grain Speer bullets. Far and away the most accurate!!
Finally! A powder I have experience with! Now, if only I can find some…
I have been using this powder with my 223, 308 and Grendel with very pleasing results.
With my factory Savage Axis 22-250. My hand loads with CFE 223 loaded with 37gr, pushing a 52gr Hornady Match. The groups are sub half inch at 100 yards.
16 ballistic advantage Hanson 27.4 is working for me. Get just over 3000 fps with a 55 gr hornady fmj. Picked up blc2 but haven't tried it. Got some old win 742 if you need it for science experiments.
Summer loads
223 55 gr ttsx 26.5gr
223 50gr vmax 27.5gr
223 62 gr hpbt 24gr
I switched to h4198 and use 4-6.5 gr less powder on the same bullets and I can run them winter and summer without concern!!!
Thanks for this review I'm getting ready to load some 223 so if I can find it I'll be use CFE 223
Surprised that several have commented that it works well with lighter bullets. Wasn’t my experience, and the Sierra No. 6 manual does not even list CFE-223 for bullets weighing 50 grains or under for .223 Rem. It did provide high velocity with heavier bullets, but accuracy was unimpressive. Ramshot TAC has been outstanding in my .223/5.56 loads with bullets from 40 to 77 grains. Also very clean shooting and perfect metering from my old RCBS Uniflow powder measure. Only drawback is that it, like all ball powders, is more sensitive to temperature changes than most single base extruded powders. I still favor it.
I haven't tried it yet but want to. Speer has some nice data for CFE 223 with the 35 Whelen that is very impressive.
I saw this as well Gerry! I have it on my addenda to try as Im interested but optimistic. A friend just got a JES rebore 35 Whelen and shot a ladder last weekend. He made it just over 2500 fps. Still impressive! But not to advertised velocities.
@@cw2a Was that with CFE 223? 2500 fps isn't bad but it is capable of a bit more, 2600 fps is possible with several powders.
@@gerry6.8 Yes, he worked up a ladder with cfe223 and a 250 Speer bullet from a 24" barrel 35 Whelen.
I have had my Whelen since mid 1980's and never was able to approach 2600 with a 250g bullet!! Mine also has a 25.5" barrel!! But I can almost hit 3000 with a 200 Hornady with 2520 powder. I like the 225 Partitions and Accubonds @ 2500 W/re15. My 358 is where the 250+ bullets shine. Im past 2850 fps with a 250g Oryx in the "big lady". 🤟🏽🤟🏽
I have used cfe 223 in my 224 Valkyrie with 85 gr. Nosler rdf bullets. Had great results shooting targets.
I use CFE223 for what we call hoser rounds for competition, 200 yards or less, .223 with 55gr FMJ's, Varget for longer range 223 rounds.
I use this regularly in .224 Valkyrie -88 gr eldm /.223-53gr VMAX first 2 cartridges Prarie Dogs/6.5 Grendel 95 Gr VMAX/6.5 Grendel 123Eldm Coyote s for the Grendel's very dirty powder tho !
Cfe 223 in the 224 Valkyrie with an 88 eldm 👌. works real good for me