CFE 223 load data for .308 Win ?

I have just built a .308 Win mod 12 fv from a Cabelas sale. I have found my pet loads for varget and have been seeing a lot of good stuff about CFE 223. I am shooting mostly SMK 168 and SMK 175. I have looked at a lot of forums on this subject, but they seem to get hijacked by talk about every other powder that anyone uses. I would like to hear from users of CFE 223 in Winchester .308 loads. I am particularly interested in loads for 168 and 175 SMKs. I would like to hear range reports for over 300yd loads. It's been a long time since I shot .308 and I am enjoying working up loads one powder at a time. Thanks for any help for CFE 223/.308 loads.

Don’t think that’s gonna work bro. That powder was designed for a semi auto. Plus it’s meant for the 223 round as the name suggests


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http://www.hodgdonreloading.com

They have both listed cfe223 I don't see any problems using it in 308 I would check YouTube a lot of people shoot cfe223 in 308.
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Thanks for the Hodgdon data. I had copied it in all the powders that I usually use. I'm really trying to get some range reports. I read a lot of threads where it is said to be very good, but not really any solid range data. It's a little slower than Varget and 4064, But that may be good for heavier bullets.

I have some cfe223 at home if i get a chance i might load some up with some 175s. I currently just use varget in my 308 12fv and I have gotten my loads down to .5 in

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Originally Posted by bryner250

Don’t think that’s gonna work bro. That powder was designed for a semi auto. Plus it’s meant for the 223 round as the name suggests


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Yes, the name implies it's for use in the .223 round but if you read ALL the data it is also good for .308/7.62X51. I use a lot of it (order it by the case (32# lots). I use 47.2 Gr of CFE .223 in commercial cases with a COAL of 2.825" and get speeds of 2700 fps +

As usual you need to do a proper workup for YOUR rifle and components. As I said, the load I use is for commercial brass (Win/Fed) but I wouldn't start with this load if using 7.62x51 Nato brass or for that matter commercial Lapua which has a smaller case volume as a rule.

Another caveat, watch for temperature sensitivity. I live in an area where we see 100 degree days about 2 weeks per year and likewise for Zero degree days. Rest of the year floats somewhere between 40 and 70 degrees depending on the season. This rarely causes temperature issues for us locally but if you live in areas like the SW or near the Northern border where you have extended periods of super hot or super cold, reports are that this powder isn't as temp stable as Varget for the .308. A powder that is close to Varget and also has the Anti Copper Fouling additive is IMR-4166. That is one of my ".308 powders" I use when I load my "travel loads". I can load and test here in NW WA and find it shoots just as good in Northern NM regardless of temp.

If speed is your goal, CFE223 is supposed to yield faster speeds with a 175 gr bullet than the other Hodgden/IMR powders. One of it's nice features is that it meters like a dream through a Dillon Powder Measure which makes for some high speed production of accurate ammo with an XL-650 progressive. If banging steel, where you don't need single hole groups, it's nice to be able to load a days worth of ammo in an hour and then get on with the fun. The only other powder I've found that meters as accurate and gives me the same speed with 175 gr bullets in my .308 is Alliant's PP2000-MR

Thanks Deadshot: Your read goes along with others who have posted on other forums. My starting ladder tops out at 47.0 grains of CFE223 for .308. Hornady shows 44.6 as max and Hodgdon shows 47.5 as max. With this in mind, I'm going to chase nodes between 44 grains of CFE223 and 47 grains. I had some Superformance left over when I was using it in my 6.5CM during the great disappearance of all things shootable. Thought I might try some of that, but it is way out of the ballpark burnwise.

Before summer I did a powder charge test on CFE223 and 200 ELDX. (Got too hot to shoot here in Arizona). I know this isn't exactly what you are looking for, but this is what I had before I stopped testing while waiting for cooler shooting weather.

Rifle:
Savage Model 10 FCP-SR 24" barrel
APA lil bastard gen 2 brake

BTL: 2.204"

Load Data:
44 gr H CFE223
200 gr Hornady ELDX
Winchester case
Federal 210
BTS 1.625"
BTO 2.198" .006" J
COAL 2.857"
2600 FPS

I tried it with the 175 SMK in my old 110FP in 308W. Used the Hodgdon data starting from low to high in .5 gn increments. It shot so bad I thought my action screws were loose or something was wrong with the scope. Then I tried my old tried and true 4064 with 39 gns. and that old rifle was right back to 1/4"-3/8" groups. CFE223 does shoot very good in my 204Ruger. so it does do well in the smaller calibers, I just didn't have any luck in my 308 with the 175"s. Odd too as I was expecting the slower powder to shine with the heavy bullets, but didn't for me.

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Originally Posted by PaddyD

I tried it with the 175 SMK in my old 110FP in 308W. Used the Hodgdon data starting from low to high in .5 gn increments. It shot so bad I thought my action screws were loose or something was wrong with the scope. Then I tried my old tried and true 4064 with 39 gns. and that old rifle was right back to 1/4"-3/8" groups. CFE223 does shoot very good in my 204Ruger. so it does do well in the smaller calibers, I just didn't have any luck in my 308 with the 175"s. Odd too as I was expecting the slower powder to shine with the heavy bullets, but didn't for me.

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The military switched from RL15 to IMR-4064 due to RL15 being temp sensitive in Iraq and Afghanistan for their long range sniper ammo.

• Cartridge, Caliber 7.62mm Special Ball, Long Range, MK 316 MOD 0 (United States): A 175-grain round specifically designed for long-range sniping consisting of Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat Tail projectiles, Federal Cartridge Company match cartridge cases and Gold Medal Match primers. The Propellant has been verified as IMR 4064 (per NSN 1305-01-567-6944 and Federal Cartridge Company Contract/Order Number N0016408DJN28 and has a charge weight per the specs of 41.7 grains.

But below it looks like Varget is one of the most temp stable powders.


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