556 CFE 223 hornady 62 grain fmj

[Benzo]

So I'm wanting to load a stock pile of hornady 62 grain fmj and 60 grain v-max with cfe 223 and maybe blc-(2), wondering what's your favorite load with either powder.
I'm using cci#41 primers with newer lake citiy brass.
Please let me know if you tested it,out of what barrel and what you got for FPS.

 

[Airborne Falcon]

We're not ignoring you it's just that there are tables for that and you're being kind of specific with the CFE 223 and BL-c(2) and the 62 gr fmj and 60 gr V-Max parameters.

I don't use CFE 223 so I can't help you there.

I've used a lot of BL-c(2) but never never on either of your two projectiles.

I think I may have one box of 60 gr V-Max projectiles in there under something stashed away in the back. I'm not sure I've ever loaded any, I'll have to check my old data books. I may have scribbled something in one of the sidebars or one of my older Hornady manuals ... I'll just have to check.

I've seated probably 50k+ 62 gr fmj style projectiles, maybe more, back when I was competing and/or stockpiling for a rainy day ... but I usually used 4895, Varget, RL15, N133, etc. Then again I was never loading 5.56 for anything but AR style carbines or the occasional AR long range varmint gun, never for bolties.

I've used a bunch of #41s by gosh ... love'em.

What is "newer lake city brass?" Is it new? Surplus once fired? Range pickups? Twice fired? Thrice maybe? How new is "newer?"

 

[Benzo]

We're not ignoring you it's just that there are tables for that and you're being kind of specific with the CFE 223 and BL-c(2) and the 62 gr fmj and 60 gr V-Max parameters.

I don't use CFE 223 so I can't help you there.

I've used a lot of BL-c(2) but never never on either of your two projectiles.

I think I may have one box of 60 gr V-Max projectiles in there under something stashed away in the back. I'm not sure I've ever loaded any, I'll have to check my old data books. I may have scribbled something in one of the sidebars or one of my older Hornady manuals ... I'll just have to check.

I've seated probably 50k+ 62 gr fmj style projectiles, maybe more, back when I was competing and/or stockpiling for a rainy day ... but I usually used 4895, Varget, RL15, N133, etc. Then again I was never loading 5.56 for anything but AR style carbines or the occasional AR long range varmint gun, never for bolties.

I've used a bunch of #41s by gosh ... love'em.

What is "newer lake city brass?" Is it new? Surplus once fired? Range pickups? Twice fired? Thrice maybe? How new is "newer?"

Once fired
Mybad

 

[cfullgraf]

I've had good luck with CFE223 in my 204 Ruger rifles. I know, not the same as 223 Remington but at least you get a comment from someone that has used CFE223.

I load 39 and 40 grain bullets, which are on the heavy side for the cartridge. I've settled around 3600 fps or so from my 24" Savage 12 and 26" AR-15 with the 39-40 grain bullets.

In 223 Remington, I like Accurate 2230 for 55 grain bullets and Varget for heavier bullets like 69 grain SMK's.

But, CFE223 would be a powder that I would try should my current favorites are not available. It meters well and is fairly clean burning. After a day on a prairie dog field, my 204 Ruger AR-15 is still reasonably clean.

 

[JEBruns]

We're not ignoring you it's just that there are tables for that and you're being kind of specific with the CFE 223 and BL-c(2) and the 62 gr fmj and 60 gr V-Max parameters.

And some are just hesitant to recommend loads, for various reasons. I just ordered up 8lbs of CFE223 and will be using it for the first time, also for 556/223. I've read nothing but good about it, so am excited to try it. I intend to load from known and published recipes and find out what shoots best out of my particular gun. That's part of the fun for me as a long time reloader. And it's part of what makes reloading so rewarding, custom loads.

 

[IALoder]

I tried CFE223 withthe same 62fmjs's. Didn't shoot very well until I got towards the top of Hornady's load data, then it was pretty good. IIRC, it was about 2800fps out of a 16" AR15. As always, start low and work up. No experience with blc2, so I can't help you there.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Work up. I found accuracy at 27.0. but this particular gun only shoots well with top end loads it higher. Because of that I don't just start at it in my other 5.56s.

 

[DMW1116]

I’ve had good luck with CFE 223 in general. I use it with 77 grain Sierras and 55 grain soft points from Hornady. It works for 308 pretty well too. It seems to over gas some times and throws brass more forward than other powders. I’m getting ready to try it on some Barnes Match Burners if the H335 doesn’t work out.

 

[Benzo]

I've had good luck with CFE223 in my 204 Ruger rifles. I know, not the same as 223 Remington but at least you get a comment from someone that has used CFE223.

I load 39 and 40 grain bullets, which are on the heavy side for the cartridge. I've settled around 3600 fps or so from my 24" Savage 12 and 26" AR-15 with the 39-40 grain bullets.

In 223 Remington, I like Accurate 2230 for 55 grain bullets and Varget for heavier bullets like 69 grain SMK's.

But, CFE223 would be a powder that I would try should my current favorites are not available. It meters well and is fairly clean burning. After a day on a prairie dog field, my 204 Ruger AR-15 is still reasonably clean.

I have 2# of 2230 and 2460 haven't got to them yet

 

[bangbig]

The Hornady 62 fmj ran good from 25.5 to 26.8g of cfe 223:
62 fmj hornady cfe223 25.5 cci 41 ruger 16" 5.56 - 2575fps
62 fmj hornady cfe223 26.8 cci 41 ruger 16" 5.56 - 2731fps

 

[Chuck R.]

I use 26.9 CFE223 over FED SRs with Horn 62FMJs in mixed brass for my 3Gun load. I've gone as high as 27.3 in my Wylde chambers and 5.56 chambers without signs of pressure, but 26.9 shot the best; 5 rds in slightly over 1MOA out of a Faxon "gunner" profiled barrel and Colt LE6920.

 

[MakBaba]

Thanks for the input. I’ve used it for 55s and 69s and it never showed any pressure signs even at the top of the published loads. I finally got through all the 55s and am moving to 62 Hornadys. I have the FMJs, HPs, and SPs. My guess is they will all shoot fantastic at or near the top.
20” BCM 5.56 NM
16” B/A 5.56 Hansen

 

[Benzo]

I have 2# of 2230 and 2460 haven't got to them yet

I have 2# of each of those powders to. I haven't got to them yet. I was going to sell them, but I heard we are going to be awhile befor we see anymore hodgdon powder.

 

[Airborne Falcon]

I have 2# of each of those powders to. I haven't got to them yet. I was going to sell them, but I heard we are going to be awhile before we see anymore hodgdon powder.

Have you heard why?

 

[armoredman]

I shot several rounds a few days ago with CFE223, 27 grains under a 55gr Hornaday FMJ, and they worked quite well out of my BREN 2 MS 11 incher. I did not chrono it didn't have time. I am also interested in this since my local gun shop only has 62 grain pull downs now, and MidwayUSA has BLC(2) in stock.

 

[bigwilly¹]

I have loaded quite a bit with CFE223 in the 62, 70, 73, but I have been using Starline and Winchester new brass. All of my speeds have been recorded just under the Hornady/Lyman loading manuals by roughly 20 fps. I get better fps from BL-C2 and grouping. AR with 20 inch bull barrel. And the primers have all been 41's. I have swapped a few times to the CCI 450magnums while using CFE223 and had great results. Especially with Berger 73VLD's!

 

[Airborne Falcon]

I get better fps from BL-C2 and grouping. AR with 20 inch bull barrel. And the primers have all been 41's. I have swapped a few times to the CCI 450magnums while using CFE223 and had great results. Especially with Berger 73VLD's!

If you want to have your mind blown, provided you can find them, (they used-to-be plentiful and cheap so there are some still out there) trying Wolf Small Rifle Magnum Primers and the old 69 grain w/c Nosler Custom Competitions (#53065) and some 25.5ish grains of N540 out of a good 20" barrel that has everything else going for it.

I wish I could get my hands on some more of those 53065s.

I've finally got some CFW 223 on backorder. I'm going to give it a try.

 

[Airborne Falcon]

I shot several rounds a few days ago with CFE223, 27 grains under a 55gr Hornaday FMJ, and they worked quite well out of my BREN 2 MS 11 incher. I did not chrono it didn't have time. I am also interested in this since my local gun shop only has 62 grain pull downs now, and MidwayUSA has BLC(2) in stock.

So I have a couple 1000 of the Hornady #2267s that I've had for years and just never had any reason to use them given I tend to load heavier .224s. And I've got an 11.5" SIG Virtus I've been trying-to work-up a load for that doesn't spit unburnt powder everywhere but still gives me velocities up around 2500-2600 fps. You're saying CFE 223 might be the one?

Is this the Hornady projectile you're referring-to?

 

[armoredman]

Yes, that's it.

 

[Buzznrose]

So I'm wanting to load a stock pile of hornady 62 grain fmj and 60 grain v-max with cfe 223 and maybe blc-(2), wondering what's your favorite load with either powder.
I'm using cci#41 primers with newer lake citiy brass.
Please let me know if you tested it,out of what barrel and what you got for FPS.

60gr VMAX