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Mike38 · June 23, 2012, 03:54 PM

I finally got around to testing some CFE223 powder today. I do believe I found a replacement to my good old reliable IMR3031. Here’s the results.

All shot in a NEF Handi Rifle, heavy barrel, 1:12 twist, in a target stock, 10x scope, 100 yards. Don’t laugh too hard about the rifle. It’s a ton of fun to shoot, and as you can see, it’s very accurate for only $400 invested. I shot two five round groups of each load, results of the best group shown. Bore cleaned after 10 rounds, and left to cool for about 10 minutes. One minute between each shot.

26.0 grains CFE223 powder. Winchester brass. Remington bench rest primers. 55 grain Vmax bullet. Best group size 0.63 inches.

26.5 grains CFE223 powder. Winchester brass. Remington bench rest primers. 55 grain Vmax bullet. Best group size 1.25 inches.

27.0 grains CFE223 powder. Winchester brass. Remington bench rest primers. 55 grain Vmax bullet. Best group size 1.75 inches.

27.5 grains CFE223 powder. Winchester brass. Remington bench rest primers. 55 grain Vmax bullet. Group size 3.75 inches. I only shot one group with this load. I noticed signs of high pressure, and the fifth shot the action was difficult to open, and the case would not extract. I had to help the case out with a small screw driver.

26.0 grains CFE223 powder. Winchester brass. Remington bench rest primers. 52 grain Amax bullet. Best group size 0.56 inches.

That last group of 0.56 inch has been the best I’ve seen with this rifle in the 10 years I’ve owned it. Previous best using IMR3031 powder and 52 grain Amax bullets was 0.62 inch. I’m going to cook up some more loads with the Amax bullets using one tenth intervals of powder to see if I can squeeze out some smaller groups.

I’m bound and determined to break the 0.50 inch mark with this rifle. I just may luck out and get there with CFE223 powder. This rifle has around 3000 rounds now, and I would guess it won’t be too much longer and the accuracy will start fading away, so hopefully I can reach that 0.50 mark before it starts going south.

June 23, 2012, 03:54 PM	#1
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	Tried some CFE223 powder today. I finally got around to testing some CFE223 powder today. I do believe I found a replacement to my good old reliable IMR3031. Here’s the results. All shot in a NEF Handi Rifle, heavy barrel, 1:12 twist, in a target stock, 10x scope, 100 yards. Don’t laugh too hard about the rifle. It’s a ton of fun to shoot, and as you can see, it’s very accurate for only $400 invested. I shot two five round groups of each load, results of the best group shown. Bore cleaned after 10 rounds, and left to cool for about 10 minutes. One minute between each shot. 26.0 grains CFE223 powder. Winchester brass. Remington bench rest primers. 55 grain Vmax bullet. Best group size 0.63 inches. 26.5 grains CFE223 powder. Winchester brass. Remington bench rest primers. 55 grain Vmax bullet. Best group size 1.25 inches. 27.0 grains CFE223 powder. Winchester brass. Remington bench rest primers. 55 grain Vmax bullet. Best group size 1.75 inches. 27.5 grains CFE223 powder. Winchester brass. Remington bench rest primers. 55 grain Vmax bullet. Group size 3.75 inches. I only shot one group with this load. I noticed signs of high pressure, and the fifth shot the action was difficult to open, and the case would not extract. I had to help the case out with a small screw driver. 26.0 grains CFE223 powder. Winchester brass. Remington bench rest primers. 52 grain Amax bullet. Best group size 0.56 inches. That last group of 0.56 inch has been the best I’ve seen with this rifle in the 10 years I’ve owned it. Previous best using IMR3031 powder and 52 grain Amax bullets was 0.62 inch. I’m going to cook up some more loads with the Amax bullets using one tenth intervals of powder to see if I can squeeze out some smaller groups. I’m bound and determined to break the 0.50 inch mark with this rifle. I just may luck out and get there with CFE223 powder. This rifle has around 3000 rounds now, and I would guess it won’t be too much longer and the accuracy will start fading away, so hopefully I can reach that 0.50 mark before it starts going south.