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CFE223 & .223 rem

DavyG

So much data out there for .223 powders, most of it totally conflicting.
Here in the UK we are experiencing a severe shortage of powder & most consumables.
I’m currently working on a load for a .223 Tikka with what I can get my hands on.
Using Hornady brass with CCI 400 primers. A 75gr ELD-M seated to 2.38 (20thou off) on top of CFE223.
So far I’ve hit a sweet spot at 24.8gr and one at 25.4gr. Just about 1moa, so nothing special.
No pressure signs @ the higher load with an MV of 2740fps.
Has any one found anything better using this combination?
Regards,
DG
 
N133 VV is very good all around in 223--Clean burning, great speed with light bullets
perfect for about anything a 223 wants --Usually about mid range load groups are amazing
I have been able to get my 9 twist Savage BVSS to less than half MOA with 40, 53 Vmax and 69 Sierra 69 HPBT MK using N133. It has done well with Federal and CCI std primers
 
dusterdave173 said:
N133 VV is very good all around in 223--Clean burning, great speed with light bullets
perfect for about anything a 223 wants --Usually about mid range load groups are amazing
I have been able to get my 9 twist Savage BVSS to less than half MOA with 40, 53 Vmax and 69 Sierra 69 HPBT MK using N133. It has done well with Federal and CCI std primers
Click to expand...
He has CFE 223 power and relatively heavy for caliber bullets. His question was with regards to his particular powder - bullet combo that he currently has in his possession, not about N133 and light bullets.
 
23.5grns worked best for me in my 20" .223. It was getting around 2700fps if memory serves. That's with Hornady brass, 75 ELD-M and Fed 205M primers. Never tried CFE in my new barrel as 8208 works so good.

That said being a factory barrel on the Tikka maybe that's just as good as it will shoot. You can try different components but if they are short then just go use what you have. Have you tried messing with seating OAL? Different primers?

IMG_0845.JPG
 
I shooting 75gr ELD with cfe223 out of a 26 inch 1:7 twist barrel getting over 3000 fps. Off bipod I can hold .5 moa consistently or better. Chamber was cut to along longer oal. I'm feeding them out of Wyatt bottom metal and mags.
 
cheek9075 said:
I shooting 75gr ELD with cfe223 out of a 26 inch 1:7 twist barrel getting over 3000 fps. Off bipod I can hold .5 moa consistently or better. Chamber was cut to along longer oal. I'm feeding them out of Wyatt bottom metal and mags.
Click to expand...
What powder weight…?
Regards,
DG
 
cheek9075 said:
I shooting 75gr ELD with cfe223 out of a 26 inch 1:7 twist barrel getting over 3000 fps. Off bipod I can hold .5 moa consistently or better. Chamber was cut to along longer oal. I'm feeding them out of Wyatt bottom metal and mags.
Click to expand...
Rob01 said:
23.5grns worked best for me in my 20" .223. It was getting around 2700fps if memory serves. That's with Hornady brass, 75 ELD-M and Fed 205M primers. Never tried CFE in my new barrel as 8208 works so good.

That said being a factory barrel on the Tikka maybe that's just as good as it will shoot. You can try different components but if they are short then just go use what you have. Have you tried messing with seating OAL? Different primers?

View attachment 1360116
Click to expand...
Used REM primers in the past. Seated from 2.25
Rob01 said:
23.5grns worked best for me in my 20" .223. It was getting around 2700fps if memory serves. That's with Hornady brass, 75 ELD-M and Fed 205M primers. Never tried CFE in my new barrel as 8208 works so good.

That said being a factory barrel on the Tikka maybe that's just as good as it will shoot. You can try different components but if they are short then just go use what you have. Have you tried messing with seating OAL? Different primers?

View attachment 1360116
Click to expand...
used some REM primers & various OAL’s from 2.26 - 2.38. I might work down to a lower powder weight and see how it goes.
Regards,
DG
 
DavyG said:
So much data out there for .223 powders, most of it totally conflicting.
Here in the UK we are experiencing a severe shortage of powder & most consumables.
I’m currently working on a load for a .223 Tikka with what I can get my hands on.
Using Hornady brass with CCI 400 primers. A 75gr ELD-M seated to 2.38 (20thou off) on top of CFE223.
So far I’ve hit a sweet spot at 24.8gr and one at 25.4gr. Just about 1moa, so nothing special.
No pressure signs @ the higher load with an MV of 2740fps.
Has any one found anything better using this combination?
Regards,
DG
Click to expand...
I'm using Lapua brass, 75 gr ELD-M's .005 off lands, CCI 450's, and 26.5 grs. of CFE223. This is Hornady's max listed load but I see NO pressure signs. This load (so far) is the best with this bullet combo I've used. It groups in the mid teens to low 2's this is a lw sporter bbl ,so groups open with barrel heat. I have not run this through a crono yet.
 
CJ6 said:
I'm using Lapua brass, 75 gr ELD-M's .005 off lands, CCI 450's, and 26.5 grs. of CFE223. This is Hornady's max listed load but I see NO pressure signs. This load (so far) is the best with this bullet combo I've used. It groups in the mid teens to low 2's this is a lw sporter bbl ,so groups open with barrel heat. I have not run this through a crono yet.
Click to expand...
Range day yesterday. Pressure @ 25.8. Best groups were @ 24.3 & 24.5. Just inside 1”, so nothing to get excited about.
I’m thinking that this is the best I’m going to get from the ELD-M. Going to load up some SMK 69ers and see how that goes.
Cheers,
DG
 
24.5 gr CFE 223, 69 gr SMK, CCI 400, 2.270" OAL, Federal case. .5" to .75" 3 shot groups at 100 yds. benchrest. I don't have a chronograph so no FPS info. Winchester M70 with Kreiger 1-7.7" twist barrel
 
cheek9075 said:
I'm at 26.4 gr, but the loaded oil is long. No pressure signs even in hot weather.
Click to expand...
If I went over 26.0gr, I’d need eye protection…
Seated @ 2.38. Going to try the 69’ers next. I’m not giving up on CFE just yet. Trying to get my hands on some VV140 next.
Regards,
DG
 
Work up safely to find if you have another node just above 26gr. Depending on your rifle and setup, 1 moa might be it's capability. I found CFE to be very accurate for Ftr vs other powders I tried in the past, and stayed with it since.
 
CharlieNC said:
Work up safely to find if you have another node just above 26gr. Depending on your rifle and setup, 1 moa might be it's capability. I found CFE to be very accurate for Ftr vs other powders I tried in the past, and stayed with it since.
Click to expand...
Flattened primers @ 26.0…
Regards,
DG
 
Range day…
CFE223/Hornady brass/Fed 7.5’s/Sierra 69 BTHP
4 shot groups @100
Looks promising.
Ps…I pulled the last one @ 25.8
 

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