SmallCaliberCentral

i have a savage model 12 with a monarch 5.5 x 16.5 x 44 scope. i have spent some time trying to come up with a good load and have finally come up with a real tack driver. i use 30.6 gr. CFE-223 powder--35 gr. berger bullets and fed gm205m primers. my last group measured .38" with 5 shots into 3 holes at 100 yards. i know others probably think that is not that great but it is for me.

i also have a rem. 700 sps varmint in .223 rem. with 27.3 gr. of CFE-223 and rem. 7.5 primers shooting 55 gr. hornady sx seated to the channelure and it gives awsome groups. my rifles no longer builds copper in the barrel. usually 4 wet patches and it is clean. i love my CFE-223 powder.

Glad to hear you like it! A friend fooled around with it in the non-canister version, SMP-842 and liked it also.

CFE has gotten to be my favorite powder, and I think a 5 shot .38" group at 100yds would be good for anyone.

It is becoming my #1 choice in the 223 and 204. Tried to work up a load in the 20VT (no load data in manuals) I had fine accuracy, but could not get over 3100 fps and the case was full. So on the 20VT back to the other powders, but for the other two, it will most likely be my go to powder. I am going to try it in the 22-250 next. Bill K

How does the CFE-223 compare to IMR-8208-XBR? I've tried several powders and the 8208 works best in my .204 & .223. I'm almost out and was trying to decide on more 8208 or trying the CFE-223.

For me anyway, I prefer the CFE over 8208, for two reasons at this point. First it meters so much nicer. Second it gives me a little better accuracy and cleans up faster. That are my reasons at this point. Bill K

Bill K, I've tried cfe 223 in 204, 223, 22-250, and 243. I've had by far the best results in the 22-250 with great velocity at minimum charge (50 g bullets, 3,900 fps) and super accuracy. Also I've started breaking in new barrels with it since it does cut down on the copper effect in new factory barrels. It might not make any difference with custom barrels.

I've found that the CFE223 is a bit more accurate than 8208XBR in my 204 Remmy 700 and like Bill mentioned it meters much better. I ran out of 8208XBR a few weeks ago and have no plans to get anymore. I'm just going to use CFE223 and good old Reloder 10X from now on.

I plan on using this powder when I run out of H335. Can anyone post any load data?

Best data will probably be found here since the powder is new and hasn't been out long enough to be in many printed load manuals. From what I've seen in my 204 the velocity runs pretty close to the published data using 32, 35, and 40's. Actually I shoot 39 sbk's instead of 40's, but runs about the same. No signs of pressure at max loads in 204 for my rifle.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Bodei. I have found that in my loads, every one of them seems to settle in around .3-.5 grains under the max listed load. So far in the 223 and 204 anyway.. I would start around one grain under max and go from there. Check out Hodgdon's Data center, they list CFE now in the charts. Bill K

has anyone had any accuracy changes with cfe223 when the temp goes from the 80s to into the 100s . I went from .5 groups to 1in. groups when the temp went up

I have not noticed any change in the temp areas of 75-95 degrees.. Am interested, later this fall/winter, when I varmint hunt more (rabbits/coyote) and the temps go down on a average from 40 above to 5 below. Time will tell on that one. Bill K