CFE .223 and CFE Pistol Reviews Update

[jrebel]

Anyone on the forum have reviews yet on the CFE .223 or CFE Pistol? 

Been looking at the CFE .223 for a few months now and may have to try it.  Would love to hear some real life experiences from people on the forum first though. 

Thanks

jrebel

[MP123]

I've used CFE Pistol in .38 and .45lc.  I works just fine but I'm not real sure about the anti copper fouling claims.  Of course I haven't had much problem with that in those calibers anyway.

The reason I got it was because that was the only pistol powder on the shelf, if you can find it I'd snatch some up unless they have Titegroup or something like that.  These days it seems like you have to take what you can get and then try to make it work.

Not sure about the rifle version (CFE .223) but it's probably similar.

[Biggerhammer]

CFE has been shooting well for me in two of my 6.5 Grendel's.

[Smokepole]

Hi Jrebel.  I just picked up four cans of CFE Pistol.  Loaded some starting loads of 38 special & .357.  I'm gonna make up some 44 special also.  Next week I hope to chrono some of the CFE loads with copper plated Xtremes, so I'll let you know how they do.  CFE was recommended to me by a friend who says it burns clean & he gets some descent velocities from his .357 & 44 mag with it.  I was just happy to score some pistol powder after I found out there was a shortage.  Luckily I got some Titegroup, Longshot & CFE. 

[actionshooter]

The CFE pistol is a little dirty/smoky but seems to be consistent but I normally shoot Vihtivouri and that's pretty tough to beat, just can't find any.

[Jim the Plumber]

I've loaded the CFE223 in a 308. Pressures were high even with a middle of the road load.

[Smokepole]

Well, I finally got out to shoot some of my CFE Pistol loads yesterday.  I hiked into a pit, so I didn't have a notebook.  What I noticed was most of my starting loads had velocities much lower than the published data on Hodgdon's website.

I loaded 38 special with 158 grain rnfp over 4.8 grains cfe.  I chrono'd six shots which averaged about 650 fps. from a 5" barrel.  A little sooty, but not too bad.  Primers looked fine.  I will try to bump up the powder to find a sweet spot between 4.8 & 5.3 grains. 

Also loaded some 357 mag. They were also much slower than expected.  158 rnfp over 5.3 grains of cfe pistol.  They were coming in at around 750, lower than the published 1123 fps.  I expected a loss of maybe 100 fps for the shorter barrel. 

Then I tried some 44 magnum loads I concocted using Hodgdon's data for Nosler Jhp.  Here's the recipe:

44 Remington Magnum
200 grain xtp
13 grains cfe pistol
Medium roll crimp to an oal of 1.60

I was very impressed with this 44 magnum load & will be loading a full box for more testing.  I shot twelve shots total, getting near-published velocities averaging about 1450 fps.  I absolutely loved shooting this load.  The recoil was mild compared to some of my 240 grain loads at 1200 fps.  The brass was pretty clean for 44 handloads. This may be my go-to defense load in the future.  Good stuff.

Well, as with most of my mild hand loads, the cfe proved to be pretty dirty at low pressures.  I may try some 38+p loads from it next time.  Compared to tite group, a little dirtier at low pressure by my observation.

Well there ya go.   

[mountainman]

Does not live up to the hype, like much in the firearms business

[Blacklab]

Haven't tried the pistol CFE as of yet. Now the CFE rifle is one of my Grendel powders for the 123 grain and larger. Great speeds and accuracy   

[jrebel]

Well, I gave in and bought a couple pounds of the CFE .223 for my .308.  So far I am really impressed.  Hit the range today with 4 loads worked up.  Here are the results.

Load #1

.308 Winchester
OAL 3.75"
150 grain Accubond
Winchester LR primer
48.5 gr CFE .223

Volocities

1.  2756  First shot of day, cold bore, clean bore
2.  2733
3.  2737
4.  2736
5.  2728

[Blacklab]

That will hunt 

[jrebel]

Group #2

Same info as above except

49 gr CFE .223

1.  2764
2.  2743
3.  2732
4.  2784
5.  2755

Worst group

[jrebel]

Group #3

50 gr CFE .223

1.  2860
2.  2824
3.  2869
4.  2840
5.  2851

[jrebel]

Group #4

51 gr CFE .223

1.  error
2.  2861
3.  2870
4.  2869
5.  2871

[jrebel]

Factory ammo as a litmus test

150 grain
Winchester Super X

1.  2778
2.  2738
3.  2708
4.  2732
5.  2747

Group is not good at all. 

[Jim the Plumber]

jrebel, I have 3-4 pounds of CFE 223 I'll sell if you are interested. $20.00 per pound.
Let me know.