The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old November 4, 2012, 03:09 PM   #1
triga22
Member
 
Join Date: October 13, 2012
Posts: 19
CFE 223 load data?

I just got some CFE 223 and federal small rifle primers to start making some ammo. My problem is the CFE 223 has only been out since this January and I cant find much load data for it. This is all I can find.

55 GR. BAR TSX FB Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.180" 24.7 3065 44,600 PSI 27.4 3317 54,000 PSI

55 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.200" 26.0 3133 43,300 PSI 27.8 3329 51,300 PSI

Im using these bullets http://www.midwayusa.com/product/116...cket-boat-tail.

I want to get the load data correct. My AR is chambered for a 5.56 so it can take the higher pressure. I was thinking of starting my load around 25-26 grains.
triga22 is offline  
Old November 4, 2012, 03:58 PM   #2
Marco Califo
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 4, 2011
Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area)
Posts: 2,586
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
It is all there, maybe not your exact bullet, but enough to get you started. I see that seems to be where you got that data. And at 3300 fps, those max loads should be adequate and exceed veloicties attainable with other powders. Use this one for your bullet, as it is a close match. Start at the lower one and work up in your gun. So 25- 26 as you stated looks perfectly reasonable. The other one is for an all copper bullet.
55 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon CFE 223 .224" 2.200" 26.0 3133 43,300 PSI 27.8 3329 51,300 PSI
__________________
............

Last edited by Marco Califo; November 4, 2012 at 04:06 PM.
Marco Califo is offline  
Old November 4, 2012, 06:09 PM   #3
droptrd
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 22, 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 342
I do 25.5 grs under 55gr nosler varmagedon fbhp's at 2.250 oal. Pretty accurate out of my 1:9 ARs. Dropped a yote at 90 yrds. Not that thats difficult but just sayin
droptrd is offline  
Old November 4, 2012, 07:29 PM   #4
triga22
Member
 
Join Date: October 13, 2012
Posts: 19
Appreciate the help guys! First powder, but I will stick with this or go to h335
triga22 is offline  
Old November 5, 2012, 12:40 AM   #5
mohr308
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 15, 2012
Location: Western New York
Posts: 466
First thing I would do, is call or email Hornady and ask what the COL is suggested for use in a 5.56mm rifle for that bullet. My guess would be 2.250" or very close.

Second, I load one bullet with CFE223 and my AR likes the lighter load of 25gr. Unfortunately CFE223 seems to be picky in my AR. I started using H335 and my accuracy is WAY better than CFE ever gave me.

Third, I only use CCI41 primers in my AR. Buy a box of 100, its only a few bucks. Duplicate each load step using both primers, try using a .3 grain step between loads.

Last but not least, Print some free targets at www.about-shooting.com and use 1 target for each load step, write the load data on them and save them, I reference mine all the time!

Hope it helps
__________________
Lock and load, the zombies (democrats) are coming (to take your guns)!
mohr308 is offline  
Old November 28, 2012, 01:42 PM   #6
dbooksta
Member
 
Join Date: March 14, 2009
Posts: 49
Attached are all of Hodgdon's current loads using CFE-223. Covers quite a range!
Attached Files
File Type: pdf CFE 223 loads.pdf (78.1 KB, 3217 views)
dbooksta is offline  
Old November 28, 2012, 05:36 PM   #7
Wyoredman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 6, 2011
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 1,350
I was able to get 3370 fps with CFE 223 and 55gr. Hornady bullets. Here is a thread showing my velocity test and comparrisons with standard and mag primers. NOTE that I worked up the load! http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...hlight=cfe+223

dbooksta: Thanks for the info! printed and included in my reloading manuals.
__________________
Go Pokes!
Go Rams!
Wyoredman is offline  
Old November 28, 2012, 11:34 PM   #8
Jimro
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 18, 2006
Posts: 7,097
CFE was developed with heavier pills than 55 grains in mind, still a relatively good powder. If accuracy is poor, try a different primer.

Jimro
__________________
Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.
Jimro is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.07674 seconds with 11 queries