CFE223 Temp stable ?

[Just Dave]

I don't see much in the archives talking about use in cold temps. I know it's been around a few years,
.
trying to spin some 53gr v-max down a 16" 1:12 , .223 barrel, and so far, we haven't gotten cold enough to get in some early morning/ cold weather testing.
.
Anybody messed around with this combo ?

 

[riflewoman]

I don’t think it is temp insensitive. Ball powders typically aren’t. Tho I haven’t used this combo before. I know 748 is not insensitive.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

I don't see much in the archives talking about use in cold temps. I know it's been around a few years,
.
trying to spin some 53gr v-max down a 16" 1:12 , .223 barrel, and so far, we haven't gotten cold enough to get in some early morning/ cold weather testing.
.
Anybody messed around with this combo ?

Better than double-base powders, worse than Varget or H4895.

It probably won't matter much for common uses of that bullet and barrel combo as long as you don't work up a max load around freezing and shoot it on a 90 degree day after letting the ammo cook in the sun. It would not be my choice for F-Class, but CFE 223 is near the top of my list for everything with an AR and everything .223 that requires volume loading. (I prefer SMP 842 when I can get it, but it is not widely available.)

 

[jepp2]

Anybody messed around with this combo ?

Not with that exact combo, but I am finding excellent accuracy with CFE 223 and lighter bullets (normally 40 gr), that I wouldn't have expected. Just seemed to be a slower burn than I would have thought the 40 gr would want. It has shown potential with 52 gr Nosler BTHP in my 12T WOA.

 

[sbhooper]

It is fantastic with Hornady 150 Interlocks in my two, .308s. I get 1/2 moa with both, at over 2900 fps. Can't say as to temp stability. It kills deer in cold weather is all that I know!

 

[T-shooter]

I don't see much in the archives talking about use in cold temps. I know it's been around a few years,
.
trying to spin some 53gr v-max down a 16" 1:12 , .223 barrel, and so far, we haven't gotten cold enough to get in some early morning/ cold weather testing.
.
Anybody messed around with this combo ?

Try packing a few rounds in a cooler in a bag in ice and keep several more in your pocket to absorb body heat. Then chronograph. 7-10 each would probably give you some results.

 

[SG4247]

I have shot pounds of it from my 20" Les Baer 6.5 Grendel AR, in year round steel plate competition out to 547 yards. About 1000 rounds a year.

Cannot say that it is sensitive at all. Surprisingly, it seems as good as the stick powders to me.

Very good powder. Fast too!

 

[SSL]

CFE223 isn't listed by Hodgdon as one of its "Extreme" powders, but I haven't noticed any temperature extremes; though I really haven't done any in-depth testing for that.
It is definitely the only powder I use in my .17 Remington (20 and 25 grain VMAX and 25 grain Hornady HP) and my .22-250 (52-grain Amax/ELD-M). It produces top velocity as well as excellent accuracy in both rifles (.2 - .3" 5-shot 100 yard groups). These are production rifles that have been "tweaked", but not professionally accurized.

 

[Just Dave]

Thanks all,. I was looking at it because it was the slowest burning powder that Hornady lists, but I forgot it was spherical.. I'm gonna play it safe, and just use Varget. I got a lot of it, and it has always been predictable.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Thanks all,. I was looking at it because it was the slowest burning powder that Hornady lists, but I forgot it was spherical.. I'm gonna play it safe, and just use Varget. I got a lot of it, and it has always been predictable.

Varget is great with the 53 VMAX.

 

[Just Dave]

Varget is great with the 53 VMAX.

.
I was using 24gr of Varget with the now-discontinued 52gr Amax. Great for fur harvesting

 

[timeout]

I don't see much in the archives talking about use in cold temps. I know it's been around a few years,
.
trying to spin some 53gr v-max down a 16" 1:12 , .223 barrel, and so far, we haven't gotten cold enough to get in some early morning/ cold weather testing.
.
Anybody messed around with this combo ?

Can't say for sure about temp sensitivity but check your weather forecast. Starting Wednesday, highs in the 20's. Get out early in the morning and you won't need to pack the ammo in ice. I'm using it in 3 different 16" 223's. I use 8208 in a 16" 223 shooting 75 grain Amaxes.

 

[SSL]

.
I was using 24gr of Varget with the now-discontinued 52gr Amax. Great for fur harvesting

Don't forget...the Amax is now the ELD-M. Same bullet with a tougher plastic tip.