Sierra 32gr BK & CFE 223 load data

[Tokimini]

I picked up some Sierra 32 gr BKs for my 204 and am having trouble finding load data for CFE 223. The only place I found any was on Hodgdon's web site and it looks kinda high. I called Sierra and they have no data for CFE 223. Has anyone worked up any loads with this combination?

[Bill K]

Hodgon's data site and thier 2012 magazine on load data, has many loads for CFE in the 204 and others.. I am in the area of 29 grains with the 32 grain bullets and it is working well. They show upwards of 30.9 as max, but 29 to just over (for my gun) is working great for me.. Check the data and work up in your rifle. Bill K

[Tokimini]

Thanks Bill

[Sth Oz Dan]

... upwards of 30.9 as max ...

How big are the granules - 4895 size, or more like Re10X? or is it ball?
Must be awful small to fit 29gn as a lighter load

[DoubleUp]

Dan, CFE 223 is a ball powder and looks very similar to W748 or BLC (2). I haven't shot the 32 bk's but 32 v or z max gives me about 4,000 fps in a 22" Savage with the max load of 30.9 and no pressure signs using Rem brass and shoots under .5 moa. It does seem to keep the coppering down. In fact, I've used it to break in a 243 and 223 this summer and neither of them coppered even during the first 50 rds.

[Darkker]

CFE223 is a General Dynamics Ball powder. The granules are smaller than 748.
That powder is the canister version of their SMP-842, developed about a decade ago for the all copper M855+ military round.
As of a month ago, Sierra has no intentions of re-shooting, or producing another manual anytime soon. Hodgdon is the place for that data.