Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 7-08 finnlite with cfe-223

Tried 120 ttsx with cfe-223 today and that is a different gun with that powder. 3275 fps and 0.5moa at 100 yards. When I tried 120 Bt I got 3320 fps. The sako 85 has 20" barrel so those speeds are amazing.

There's been reports in forums that published data has been hot in certain guns. I believe some of these powders like re17, cfe, mr2000 are good for 50 fps...maybe 75 fps over previous top powders beyond that I think people are treading into high pressure territory. Remember...brass may not tell you till into the 70k plus pressure range.

I should have mentioned that I do not need a lecture on high pressure or hot loads because I am well aware. That load was only 1.5 gr over the hodgdon max of 49.5 gr. I guess that why I keep most of my loads development off of the forum. But thanks for the education anyways.

Only 1.5 grns over max? Yes, you seem to have the high pressure loads covered. I think it's wise that you don't post much of your load development.

David

Can't get that powder here but in Hodgdon's data it regularly has the highest speeds.

Those speeds you posted do sound quite high but if nothing else it's further endorsement that the powder is very potent.

Would like to try some in my 308.

I know the speeds are fast but I started well below max and worked to that point. I do know that there is no copper fouling in my barrel so it does work in that department. That's only looking from the muzzle in.

I would have no doubts of this Kranky.

Not lecture by any means to the OP, just my findings in a different caliber.

I've run CFE223 in the 8x57 with 160 TTSX, 175 Sierra's, and 180 Nosler BT's.

It fleshed out like this;

160 TTSX: 52 grains/2877 (ft/sec)No overt pressure signs and two grains below Hodgy's max.

175 Sierra: 54.5 grains/2828 (ft/sec) No overt pressure signs and below Hodgy's max. Velocity tracks with their data. Little over and inch, but sparadic. QL has this load at 54,800 psi (for what it's worth), but I like to stay in the 50k neighborhood area.

180 NBT: 52 grain/2790 (ft/sec) No overt pressure signs and below Hodgy's max. Velocity slightly higher than their data. MOA of a barn. Best grouping was 50 grains @2699 (ft/sec) and 1.5" average.

That being said, I have not revisited those loadings as accuracy has been the issue in both the M700 and M70 with CFE223. I dont know if I will revisit them either. If I do it will be dialing them back to try and find good accuracy.


Pro-2000mr, I just flat out like in the 8x57, but I found very accurate loads with the 175 Sierra's in the 2670 to 2720 (ft/sec) band. The 150 Sierra and Hornady's are looking decent too @2800-2850

The wife shoots a 7-08ai with a 24" barrel. Velocity is 3180 fps with CFE 223 and the 120 gr TTSX loaded 0.5 gr below the Hodgdon max for a standard 7-08. Accuracy is very good - about equal to Varget or RL-15 in this rifle - about 3/4". Wife is very happy with that velocity and accuracy - and has thumped 4 deer in the past 3 seasons with that combination including two wall hangers. Works great in my 308 win as well.

I gotta get some of that stuff, sounds impressive

Sounds pretty fast in a 20" tube.....

243..sorry I "cranked your bait" over the load. I didn't lecture you. Usually a lecture involves telling people they are wrong or should change something. I just put some facts out there as I've seen them. Its your load developement and your gun and your business. I just wanted to put up a bit of info for others that might think these velocities are what they might expect or that the powder is somewhat magical. I've been following this powder for quite a while and don't believe it is. I just put "my" opinion out there so others can see another side in making their choices.

You can get really high velocities with some of these powders but it comes at a cost. I was able to get 2850 with 185 bergers in my 308 with power pro 2000mr, showed not pressure signs on the first firing, on the second firing the bolt clicked at the top. Couldn't even get primers to stay in the pockets after that.

Just shot a bunch of 150 LRAB in a Tikka with the max safe load of cfe 223. I believe we were seeing 2640 as our avg with that bullet. The Tikka has a 22" barrel. Powder doesn't seem to be as clean as its namesake.

My son and I have been working on loads for the .308 on a gas gun platform. I think the 7-08 and the 308 are similar in size and volume.

After what we are seeing and shooting, I would not use CFE223 in a cartridge of similar size of a 308.

We were getting pressure signs at mid load range and we were getting flattened primers on the minimum load listed.

We have decided to use the CFE223 with 223 loads because it works well, We will be using H4895 for the 308.

CFE223 is kind of scary in a 308 size load.

I can't imaging primer pockets lasting long with loads of that pressure. 3,350fps is rolling pretty well for a 22" 7mm RSAUM with 120's and the case capacity is quite a bit larger.

In any event, CFE-223 does appear to be a nice option for the 120's in the 7mm-08.

I've decided that if I want my 7mm-08 to be a magnum, I'll trade it for one. Not trying to be cute, just saying..........

I got similar results (blazing speed, great accuracy) with CFE in my 308 with 155s, but better results with TAC. In my 7-08 with 120 NBTs, I could get the velocity with CFE, but not the accuracy. Accuracy dropped off for me above 3050 or so, same as Varget.