CFE 223 shoots great, but is dirty -- Graphite?

[Lee Whitsel]

CFE 223 shoots great, But I get a lot of black crud looks like coal dirt let in the barrel is that graphite let in the barrel?

CFE223 is a great powder, but no matter what gun I use it in when time to clean the barrel the patch's look like the barrel is full of coal dust? Anyone know if that might be graphite left in the barrel? Why is it so blackish?

 

[mic2377]

I haven't used CFE223 personally, however the CFE line of powders apparently have an anti-copper fouling agent in them that changes the appearance of the fouling somewhat.

 

[6Creed73]

I love CFE-223. I use it for both 5.56 and 308Win and it rarely disappoints. Can't say I've ever notice the coal dust looking stuff, I'll pay close attention next time I go to the range and clean.

 

[lhead71]

I believe it's the decoppering agent residue which is Tin, does no harm.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

The IMR Enduron powders are the same way.

 

[dantiff2]

Love CFE! Loads great, shoots great and the fouling seems very easy to wipe off and does not get hard like Varget fouling. BUT, it is one of the more temp sensitive powders that I've encountered.

 

[CharlieNC]

FreeAll will quickly clean it, better than any other solvent.

 

[ricco1949]

I use CFE 223 and CFE BLK in .223 and 20 Vartarg respectively for PD shooting.

I also find the CFE powders to be very dirty but easy to clean.

Daily round count may reach 200+ per gun between cleanings.

I use Wipeout foam for initial cleaning and follow up with bronze brush and Copper Killer.

Borescope inspection will usually reveal some remaining light brown remnant in grooves. Can't say if it's carbon or the copper remover in the powder.....but a few passes with Flitz liquid on a Parker Hale wrap around jag removes it 100%.

 

[divingin]

CFE powder contains bismuth, as I recall. Causes a sort of fluffy soot-like deposit. That deposit is supposed to encapsulate vaporized copper before it deposits on the barrel steel. Whether it works or not for coppering, it wipes out easily enough (and I suppose, shoots out pretty easily as well.)

 

[Toolbreaker]

CFE powder contains bismuth, as I recall. Causes a sort of fluffy soot-like deposit. That deposit is supposed to encapsulate vaporized copper before it deposits on the barrel steel. Whether it works or not for coppering, it wipes out easily enough (and I suppose, shoots out pretty easily as well.)

This. I usually push a dry patch through first to knock out the fine powder before heading to the solvent.