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Posted: 2/1/2013 2:47:56 AM EDT
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Due to the panic I picked up a couple pounds of CFE 223 when the local store was out of BL-C2. I figured I'd just use it for plinking loads and reserve my usual 223 powder for the precision stuff. Not because there's anything wrong with CFE, that I'm aware of, just that with two pounds and limited restock abilities I didn't want to get into new load development. I may have to change that thinking. The stuff meters through my Dillon perfectly, NO deviation in charge weight. Ok, I'm sure there's a little, but it's less than my meter can detect.
I'm used to +-0.1 grains being the norm. With Varget and other stick powders it can be worse and I tend to default to checking each charge if I'm after precision. The CFE was showing exactly the same weight every time even with less than identical working of the press. I may have to track down a few more pounds and start testing. Not a huge deal, but I figured some folks might be interested to hear that the hype regarding the metering properties are not exaggerated, at least for me. I've never seen a powder meaure out that perfectly from a progressive. I switched from Varget to BL-C2 because I could get similar results in my rifles with easier metering, this might result in another change once things settle and I can get enough to test with and then actually load a reasonable amount. |
| Good to know, because I am working up both .223 and .308 loads with CFE 223. I have a couple of single stage presses and a Dillon 550B. I use the single stage presses for load development, but once I've settled on a load i go into production. I have two very good Varget loads for the .308, but have not yet configured the Dillon for them since I want to load out the remaining .223 that I've got case prepped. How bad is the Varget metering? I may have to go the another powder for the .308, that is if there ever is any more powder available. |
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I got me some cfe also, have not tried it yet, whats a good load with the hornady 55 fmj? http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp check the website, I personally used 26.5g, YMMV |
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I think you will be happy to hear that CFE223 is not just easy to work with, it has turned out to be a very good performer too! If it does anything at all to help with copper fouling like they claim, it will become one of the workhorse powders from now on. I have the new QuickLoad powder data that includes CFE223. From what I am seeing it should not be a big leap to convert from BL-C2 to CFE223, from an internal ballistics standpoint. BL-C2 has a slightly higher energy content 3990 vs 3920 kj/kg. However, it also has a lower bulk density 1.004 gm / cm3 vs 1.025 gm/cm3 for the CFE223. So, from a volumetric throw standpoint, about the same energy. Also Hodgdon states the CFE223 burn rate is very close to BL-C2. For example: For a MK-262 configuration, 97% useable case fill 25.55 gr of CFE223 = 54314psi, 2780 fps in a 20" bbl. .............................................................................................25.02 gr of BL-C2 = 53159psi, 2749 fps in a 20" bbl. YMMV |
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Quoted:
Good to know, because I am working up both .223 and .308 loads with CFE 223. I have a couple of single stage presses and a Dillon 550B. I use the single stage presses for load development, but once I've settled on a load i go into production. I have two very good Varget loads for the .308, but have not yet configured the Dillon for them since I want to load out the remaining .223 that I've got case prepped. How bad is the Varget metering? I may have to go the another powder for the .308, that is if there ever is any more powder available. For the 308 I wouldn't worry about it. The deviation doesn't change, so the percentage involved becomes tiny with the larger charge weights. If I'm very consistent with my pulls, single loading rather than running the press with multiple cases in it, I can get it to +-.2, but with multiple cases I was seeing .3 sometimes and for a near max load 223 or when trying to make very consistent ammo that wasn't good enough. For my good loads I had to do them one at a time and weigh each charge to be sure. It got to be a pain. I love Varget, and if I was using a single stage press or throwing charges with a stand alone powder measure or one of the electronic ones, great, but on the Dillon with the onboard measure it was plinking consistency. With BL-C2 I could get most charges right on even with multiple cases in process, but there was always some noticeable variation. With the CFE it was even more consistent. I have yet to weigh a charge that didn't show dead on unless I screwed up. I got to shoot some of my test loads yesterday and can verify that an equal charge weight is very close to BL-C2 in performance. It also seems to burn cleaner in general. I didn't do a lot of shooting but the rifle seemed less dirty than usual. That's with a 16" barrel AR. Conditions were COLD and dry at near sea level. I'm not sure I'm a complete convert, it will have to be tested more to see whether I can duplicate or improve on the accuracy I get with varget and bl-c2. I like to stick to one main powder whether for accurate loads or plinking, just to simplify my life. I only vary when supply is an issue and I'm trying to conserve my "good" stuff. If it can match my BL-C2 load for accuracy I'll be very tempted to make the jump for the tiny improvement in metering and cleaner burning. I'm aware that the cleaner burning thing is more a comment on BL-C2, since we're not talking copper fouling here, but if it makes my life easier I'm willing to go with it. |
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