Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles CFE223 Powder?

New member here.
Anyone have any experience with this powder? I bought a pound of the stuff and want to try it in my .223 Rem. and .308 loads. I would like to up my velocities in the .308 with 150 grain bullets particularly. (Both in bolt action rifles)
Does it actually have any noticeable effect on copper fouling?
I have been using IMR-4895 in the .308 but the velocities are not where I would like it to be.
Been really happy with H-335 in the .223 so it isn’t really a priority for the new powder but thought I would give it a try.
(Also thought I would try the stuff in my 250 Savage with 100 grainers being launched from a Model 16 bolt action)

CFE 223 is becoming my favorite powder in 223 and 22-250. It meters great out of a powder dispenser and gives great velocity. I have not worked up any 308 loads with it yet but do have a good 7-08 120 TTSX load with it. I cant comment on the reduced copper fouling claim none of the barrels I've used it in have any fouling issues. I'm sure you'll be happy with it in your 223.

Thanks 28ix.
What powders were you using in the 223 and 22-250 for comparison? I am using H-380 in both of my 22-250s and have been happy.
If the CFE works good, i might give it a whirl in the speedy 22s.

In the 223 I used Benchmark,LT32 and 8208 with the 40 and 50 grain weight bullets and H4895 and Varget with the heavies. I also used H380 in the 22-250 still have 8 pounds of it to burn up.I'm slowly trying to cut down on the amount of different powders I usa e. H380 is definitely a classic great powder in the 22-250.

I use CFE223 in several different cartridges as well (223, 308, 6.5 Grendel, and some other wildcats) and can offer a +1 to 28lx's comments. I use TAC and X-Terminator more often, but CFE223 is of similar burn rate and is another good option. I haven't noticed any particular copper anti-fouling advantages either but like 28lx, most of my barrels that I use it in don't foul copper much anyway.

It is certainly in the right burn rate for 223/5.56 heavy bullet loads and medium weight 308 loads, and is one of the top performers for velocity, alongside TAC and a few other ball powders. Whether it delivers the accuracy you want will depend on your load and rifle. I can say that it currently has top honors for both accuracy and velocity in my 243 LBC (a 6mm Grendel variant), but in some of my 5.56 loads the accuracy wasn't great.

Hope that helps.

I have used it it my 223/5.56 Ar, delivers good accuracy and velocity however it leaves black residue on the case and inside barrel, a little extra time is needed to clean my toys after using it.

What type powder is CFE223?

It's a spherical.

I've only used it for heavier bullets in .223, works well for that.

Oh, and welcome to the 'fire, SoTex.

Thanks all and you SOG for the welcome.

works like a champ in my .308 with 168 NBT. meters like a dream and yes you will get less copper fouling, not none but not much

I used CFE223 in a 1/9 twist 223 bolt gun with 55 gr. FMJBT. The accuracy at 100 yd. was as good as W748 & H335, but the S. D. remained in the 30's for the charge weights I tried. I'll be trying it at farther distances later.

I used it in my .223 with 75s and my 308 with 155s. It was accurate and fast, but a little erratic at least for me so I went back to Varget for both.

Copper fouling wasn't a problem in either rifle so can't help there.

CFE223, 1/2 grain under max load, 150 Interlocks. My go-to load in my Ruger American. It is the only load that I use, now. It shoots 1/2 moa, at 2934 fps and smashes deer.

Some people think that it is dirty, but who cares? As long as it is accurate, a patch will take care of the black stuff if it bothers you that bad.

Have you tried magnum primers to see if it tightens up your SD numbers? I've also found that CFE 223 usually performs the best at or near max loads.

Thanks for the tip. I've got a brick of CCI small rifle magnum primers that I've no idea when or why I bought them. I'll give it a try.

Tried it in 8x57. That was a no go. Neither one of my 8s liked it but I did get a good load with it in 222 rem with 50gr nbt's. 25 grains turned in good groups. grain under book max if I remember right.

Mauser8X57, what are you using as your “go-to” powder for your 8X57? I ended up with Big Game in mine. Just curious.

IMR4064 has been my powder of choice. but have tried 4320, varget, and have some with reloader 15 to try.

It keeps coming up in QL, but I've been leery because of how slow it is. I dunno.....I'll have to give it a try sometime but I worry the velocities will not be as suggested in QL.