CFE Pistol Powder

[warf73]

Jusrt wanted everyone to know that the CFE Pistol powder is a very clean powder from my use. In 380acp using this powder it is WAY cleaner than any factory round shot. Also cleaner than Red Dot, Unique or Bullseye that I've loaded in the past.

Started load devoploment in the 357 using 357mag cases using CFE Pistol and found a sweet load that is cleaner than my old loads using Herco, Red Dot, or 2400 powder.

160469160470

Thats after just over 150 rounds using PCed 150gr Lee RN boolits, and 16 cast boolits. Thats pretty clean considering most of the time the gun looks like that after 50 or so rounds using my other powders.
The only down fall is you could double charge the case using CFE Pistol but you would see it, vs using my normal go to Herco load it would over flow the case (pretty close anyways) if you double charged it.

Warf

[Petrol & Powder]

When I was getting low on ww231 and there was none to be found, I picked up a pound of CFE Pistol. I was also impressed with it in 38 Special. A fellow Cast Boolits poster (tazman) had done some work with that powder and offered some advice. It is a good powder and seems to meter very well.
I'm not sure it will replace 231 or Bullseye on my bench but it is a viable alternative. It does burn a bit cleaner than Bullseye and just about anything is cleaner than 231 :o but I'm so ingrained with using 231 it's difficult for me to switch.

[Preacher Jim]

I have had good enough results in 38spc match an 45acp I bought 8 lb jug and I still have 8lb of my favorite bullseye.

[Blackwater]

Thanks for the report. Hodgdon's data indicates that in .45 ACP, it'll give @ 100 fps. more velocity with cast at std. pressures. Have you or anyone else tried it in .45 ACP yet?

[ioon44]

I have been using CFE Pistol powder in 9mm and Hi-Tek coated coated boolits. Out of my PPQ the gun and brass are the cleanest I have ever seen and no leading in the barrel.

[dudel]

I am very interested in CFE; but dang, 2400 seems cleaner in my 357Mag loads. The front of my cylinder is a bit less dirty, and the sides of the cylinder are clean. I was using plated; instead of Boolits so it may not be an accurate comparison.

I hate cleaning wheelguns!

[tazman]

I have been using CFE pistol in my 38 special and 9mm guns. It works a treat for full power loads.
I still use Bullseye or WST for my target load wadcutters in 38 and save the CFE for the more powerful loads. I haven't tried it in 357 mag yet, but see no reason it won't do a great job.
For me one of the best details about CFE is that the velocities listed on the Hodgdon web site match what I get from my guns within 20 fps for the same load.

[osteodoc08]

I also have had good luck with it. There is also a bit of cast data from the factor which is nice.

[popper]

I started using it in 40, seems a bit snappier than W231.

[osteodoc08]

Hey Warf,

Can you tell me more about your pistola. I typically dont like the slanted underlug, but I'm digging that revolver

[chutesnreloads]

Have a pound of CFE sitting around 6 months or so now......suppose I oughta open it

[warf73]

Hey Warf,

Can you tell me more about your pistola. I typically dont like the slanted underlug, but I'm digging that revolver

Thanks osteodoc08,

It a S&W 627 Pro 8 shot 357mag with 4" barrel. I was after a S&W model 27 or 28 but the prices when I was looking was withing a few $$ of the 627.

[TXGunNut]

Thanks for the reports, been curious about the CFE powders. Have plenty of 231, Unique, Universal and finally BE but it's good to know the new powders are getting it done.

[drifterdon]

I know this thread is several months old but I tried some CFE Pistol today and man is it a nice powder. I was looking for a powder for reduced loads in my 44 mag. and found this yesterday. I loaded up a bunch of Lee C358158 SWC loads with 5.0 grains and found it to be very accurate , fun to shoot and clean. Can't wait to try it in the Super Redhawks .44

[warf73]

drifterdon,

Good to hear you had the same results as I but in a monster case :)

[rototerrier]

I've tried CFE Pistol in 9mm, 38, 357 and just this past weekend 45. Works great in them all. Biggest gripe is the economy of it. Takes more powder vs titegroup or hp38. For someone loading small quantities it's a great powder. I run through thousands and the powder consumption quickly adds up. TG still seems to be the most economical. It's very miserly.

For 9mm and 45 it would definitely be a great alternative. Clean and accurate. For 357 I decided to stick with H110.

[Petrol & Powder]

Miserly - a kinder word for being a tighta** :D.

CFE became a fallback for me in 38 Special and although 231 is a bit dirty, it is also a bit less expensive. I don't shoot much .357 magnum but H110 is STILL the powder for .357 Magnum and 44 Magnum in my book.

[tazman]

When I want the most power in my 38 Special or 9mm at standard pressures, I use CFE pistol. I can get an extra 50-100 fps with it safely.
For light loads like target wadcutters and low recoil plinking loads, its hard to beat Titegroup and Bullseye. They are very economical and work perfectly.
Compared to Bullseye, CFE is much cleaner. It also leaves less unburned powder in the barrel and action than 231. Yes, there are cleaner burning powders out there, but they don't give that extra power safely.

[TXGunNut]

Seems to be quite a bit of CFE Pistol and CFE 223 on the shelf. Haven't seen 231 or BE or Unique in awhile. May be time to wake up & smell the coffee.

[sw282]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/474284-huffin-44-magnum-smoke.html

Take a look at the brake in these pictures of a 629 Magnum Hunter using CFE powder...Filthy!!
The author and l shoot the same model 629 Magnum Hunter AND the same cast boolits..

Lots more lead buildup on his brake than MINE...He shoots CFE powder... l shoot UNIQUE


We shoot together at a monthly IHMSA match in Gainesville GA.. 100yd Field Pistol

[warf73]

Not sure the leading in the break is the powders fault, but as I stated I've only loaded CFE in 357mag and 380acp. Lost my 44mag in the divorce so I won't be loading any 44mag for some time. :(