Question about CFE223

[RPegram]

I've started loading for a new purchase of an AR15. I'm using 55gr Hornady SP and CFE223. My brass is all once fired LC. I'm using the RCBS pocket swager to remove primer crimp and trimming all brass to 1.1750". I'm also full length resizing and using the Lee factory crimp die with a very slight crimp. I'm using Hodgdon online data for a 55gr SPR SP which shows a starting load of 26 gr with a max of 27.8. I started with 26gr with a COL of 2.20". I also loaded 26.5 and 27 grains. All rounds functioned great with no failures of any kind with rifle. All were accurate with no discernible grouping issues. I'm using CCI no. 41 primers because I got a deal on them of only $26 per K at the local gun show. My chrono worked good for first loads with 26gr with a high of 2704, low of 2624 and ES of 80. Unfortunately sun was going down and I don't trust the results of the 26.5 string and got nothing for the 27 grains. I also have some Hornady 55gr FMJBT, but have not loaded any of these. I was hoping someone may have used this bullet/powder combo also and would be willing to share their results. I don't have the latest Hornady manual, but understand this powder is listed in it, so was also hoping someone might verify this combination before I test more. Because this powder is fairly new, many manuals don't list it yet. One concern I do have is that after shooting the test rounds, when I collected my brass, I noticed what looked to me to be some flattened primers. Not all, but a handful out of 25 rounds. I measured every powder throw, so I know all were +Or- .02 gr of target throw. Scale was zeroed and tested a couple of times to make sure it was correct. The metering and accuracy of this powder so far is great and want to load many more, but want to make sure everything is correct. I've loaded many thousands of pistol, but this is my first venture into rifle. I'll try and get a picture up soon of the brass and let y'all take a look and maybe tell me I'm being concerned over nothing.

 

[grogetr]

Hornady 9th edition shows 24.8 - 27.4gn. I used 25.5gn with fmjbt 55gn and got 2675fps. With the Mid South varmint nightmare 55gn hp it was 2700fps. Both got a right at 1 in group at 100yds. 26gn gave me 2770fps with the same groups.

I used winchester srp and at higher loads some primers looked like they of been flattening a little but didn't seem to be a problem. The 25.5 gave the best groups so I stuck with that. The fmjbt I loaded to 2.230" seemed to group a little better than the 2.220" the book calls for.

Hornady used a 26" barrel with 1/12 twist so can't really compare velocity to well to a 16" 1/7 AR

 

[RPegram]

Here's a pic showing before and after firing

 

[stavman11]

I have loaded a LOT of the CFE223... I have around 20lbs of it now

all 55gr... is all i load.
Dogtown HP
FMJBT
Z-max and V-max

All at 26gr is where I found my sweet spot. at 27gr they where to irratic so stuck to 26gr

I have NEVER had any good luck with the FMJBT... so I use them for close Range Plinking.
But with the Dogtowns my groupings are only as good as the shooter that Day.. Not the Bullet or Gun at at 100yds its easy to put em all inside a 1" dot... well again, if the shooter can that day

 

[david bachelder]

I use it with Hornady 55 Grain soft point's with cannelure. My sweet spot is 27.2 grains.

I like it.

 

[RPegram]

Thanks for all the replies. I really like this powder so far, it meters easily and performs very good. I did slip off to the LGS and picked up a pound of BL-C2 and Benchmark to try also. Currently I am weighing every charge and trickling to get a perfect drop, but once I find my load, I want to start using the powder measure on my press.

 

[Don-T]

I use it for 55gr Vmax and Varmageddons in my Bushy Varminter and get just over 3150fps out of 24" barrel using an even 27gr load. It shoots .6-.7" groups at 100 yards depending on my coffee level. I BH3 coat all my bullets so a grain less would do it for naked bullets. One thing to be aware of is that CFE223 and BLC2 being ball powders are a bit temperature sensitive and loads should be developed around the temperature that you are going to be shooting them at. A load developed at 50 degrees might be a bit hot on a 90 degree day shooting prairie dogs.

 

[Nappers]

I think I used 27.4gr with Hornady 55gr's, V-Max or other ones. They shot great.

IMHO, your after shots, the primers look just fine to me. I used Remington SM Rifle Primers, they worked fine, even though they say not to..... YMMV

H335, Varget are good powders as well. The new IMR's new powder 4166 seems good too. I buy those Hodgdon reloading mags with articles and the rest are loads. Great mags to go along with reloading manuals. I shoot Nosler and Hornady bullets and have their latest manuals.

 

[David4516]

I have similar results. Using mixed brass, 55gr Hornady soft point (flat base with cannilure), CCI 41 primer, and 26.0gr of CFE223, I'm getting in the high 2600's to low 2700's velocity.

This is my backup load for when I can't find my favorite, which is H335. My load is all the same brass/powder/primer, but with 25.0gr H335 instead of CFE223

I get about 100fps more with the H335, and it shoots tighter groups, at least in my rifle (16 inch barrel, 1/9 twist rate)

I'm attaching a photo of a target I shot at 175 yards using both loads. This was with iron sights and my bad vision, I suspect that both loads can produce better accuracy if I had better vision or a good scope, or both...