CFE 223

[vanhammer]

Anybody tried this powder in 204 with 32 grn bk? I have just purchased a progressive press and would like to try loading my 204 on it and use ball powder instead of stick powder as will be throwing powder instead of weighing every charge. Have had very good luck loading 22 hornet with sub 1 inch groups. What are some pet loads using CFE 223?

[TRG300WM]

You could start with

32 gr V-MAX

29.0 grs CFE 223 for 3825 fps

Max load 30.9 grs for 4090 fps

IMR 8208 XBR will give similar speeds to CFE 223, either powder would be a good choice for the 204-R

[DoubleUp]

I was able to shoot some good groups with CFE 223 in 204 Ruger. However, I never could get the ES down to what I thought it should be. I was able to do better with IMR 8208 and easily get an increase of 100 fps with 32, 34, 35, 39, and 40gr. bullets while keeping ES much lower and accuracy better.

On the other hand, CFE 223 is my go to powder for the 22-250 Rem. using 50gr. vmax. Great accuracy and velocity with low ES and only using the minimum load of 37gr. pushes the 50's at 3,900 fps. Haven't even tried to push it any faster, no need.

Early indications are that it may also do pretty good in 243 Win. with the lighter bullets.

I didn't find it all that good in 223, okay accuracy but not steller velocity. Obviously your results may vary.

[Darkker]

I can confirm the use in the 243, and 308.
55-58gr in the 243 is stupid stable. 32-98 deg, show a 5-shot variance of 8-12fps.

[Tokimini]

My most accurate load for the 32gr BKs using CFE223 is 24.5gr, but they don't group as well as the 39gr BKs or the 40gr Vmax. When I tried hotter loads with the 32gr bullets 1 out of 10 keyholed. It was kind of funny when when my son called out the shot placement: 1st shot "1/8 inch right, 1/4 down", 2nd shot "touching first shot", 3rd shot "windage perfect 1/8 inch down", 4th shot "same as 2nd shot", 5th shot "6 inches high, 2 feet right!!!"