H335 or CFE223 in a 20" barrel ?

rebs · April 8, 2013, 05:19 AM

I have been loading H335 for my 16" barrel Ar and now have a 20" barrel Ar. Should I keep using H335 or is there any advantage to using CFE223 for the 20" barrel ? I have never loaded with CFE223 and am curious about it.
I mainly shoot 55 gr bullets. The 16" barrel is 1 in 8 and the 20" barrel is 1 in 9 twist.

TMD · April 8, 2013, 06:43 AM

twist rate and bullet weight will factor more then barrel length. With that being said I haven't tried CFE on a 20" barrel but I have on my Stag Model 6H which is a 24" heavy barrel with a 1:8 twist. With 77gr Sierra bullets its a close tie between CFE and TAC. Both will shoot close to .5" groups.

**Unclenick** · April 8, 2013, 06:43 AM

Both powders were originally designed for 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. The CFE223 reduces copper fouling. It may also be easier to ignite consistently, as newer deterrent coatings for spherical powders tend to be.

oldpapps · April 8, 2013, 08:33 AM

Logic would say slower powder for a longer barrel. However, its a gas weapon. So, keep the powder in the right burn range and both of those listed are.

I would test them both. The one that gives you the beat results is the one to go with. I wouldn't want to hazard a guess. If no determinable difference/s show up, move on to other factors (availability, cost, ease of use....).

Load safe,

OSOK

**Unclenick** · April 8, 2013, 09:57 AM

You only want a faster powder in the short barrel if you are fighting muzzle blast problems. Otherwise, the powder that produces the most velocity in the 20" barrel will also produce the most velocity in the 16" barrel. You normally have to get down to pistol barrel lengths before that stops being true.

Dodgehunter84 · April 8, 2013, 11:01 PM

I've been loading with CFE223 for my AR with an 18 inch and 1 in 9 twist with great results. My AR loves 50 grain z-max and 28 grains of CFE223. It punches 5 shot, hole groups at 100 yards.

April 8, 2013, 05:19 AM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	H335 or CFE223 in a 20" barrel ? I have been loading H335 for my 16" barrel Ar and now have a 20" barrel Ar. Should I keep using H335 or is there any advantage to using CFE223 for the 20" barrel ? I have never loaded with CFE223 and am curious about it. I mainly shoot 55 gr bullets. The 16" barrel is 1 in 8 and the 20" barrel is 1 in 9 twist.

April 8, 2013, 06:43 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	Both powders were originally designed for 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. The CFE223 reduces copper fouling. It may also be easier to ignite consistently, as newer deterrent coatings for spherical powders tend to be. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 8, 2013, 09:57 AM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	You only want a faster powder in the short barrel if you are fighting muzzle blast problems. Otherwise, the powder that produces the most velocity in the 20" barrel will also produce the most velocity in the 16" barrel. You normally have to get down to pistol barrel lengths before that stops being true. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

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April 8, 2013, 06:43 AM	#2
TMD Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,293	twist rate and bullet weight will factor more then barrel length. With that being said I haven't tried CFE on a 20" barrel but I have on my Stag Model 6H which is a 24" heavy barrel with a 1:8 twist. With 77gr Sierra bullets its a close tie between CFE and TAC. Both will shoot close to .5" groups.

April 8, 2013, 08:33 AM	#4
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	Logic would say slower powder for a longer barrel. However, its a gas weapon. So, keep the powder in the right burn range and both of those listed are. I would test them both. The one that gives you the beat results is the one to go with. I wouldn't want to hazard a guess. If no determinable difference/s show up, move on to other factors (availability, cost, ease of use....). Load safe, OSOK

April 8, 2013, 11:01 PM	#6
Dodgehunter84 Junior Member Join Date: March 27, 2013 Posts: 2	I've been loading with CFE223 for my AR with an 18 inch and 1 in 9 twist with great results. My AR loves 50 grain z-max and 28 grains of CFE223. It punches 5 shot, hole groups at 100 yards.