On CFE223

[TerkyJerky]

I reload exclusively military rounds, primarily rimless bottle necked jacketed ammo, but some rimmed cast lead black powder as well. As we all know, components have been very difficult to come by lately. I was browsing a website and they had 8lb jugs of CFE223 in stock. For those of you who dont know, CFE223 was developed specifically to eek out as much velocity as possible out of cartridges like .222 and .223 Remington, .204 Ruger, .224 Valkryie, however Hodgdon lists data for cartridges like .308, .30-06, 8x57mm, 7.7 Jap, .303, basically most full bore .30 cal rifle cartridges. So i bought 8lbs. I had worked up loads in both 8x57mm and 7.7 Jap.

This is a bit of advice/warning for those of you planning to use CFE223. Do not start with the starting loads in .30 cal rifle cartridges. I experienced several hang fires in both my Arisaka and Czech Mauser, as well as a squib. Luckily the bullet had only entered the throat so it was easy to pound out. Basically this: if using CFE223 be wary of starting loads.

[Hick]

Very interesting. I use CFE223 extensively and at or near starting loads. In my M1 Garand I run right at the minimum load, and very close to the minimum in my 223 Rem. Could it be primer related?? I've only tried Winchester primers with my loads.

[armoredman]

I only use CFE223 in .223 so far, but have considered trying it in .308.

[M-Tecs]

I am on my 3rd 8 pounder of CFE223. I currently am using Winchester primers for my summertime prairie dog loads. They near max loads. Zero issues. Ball powder in general is harder to ignite so for cold weather yote loads I switch to magnum primers.

My guess is a hotter primer or more neck tension would eliminate your issues.

[Texas by God]

I have used CFE223 in .223 and 8x57mm and it's good in both for jacketed bullets.

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[poppy42]

CFE = copper fouling eliminator. Whether or not it works I couldn’t tell you. But that’s how it was marketed

[TerkyJerky]

Very interesting. I use CFE223 extensively and at or near starting loads. In my M1 Garand I run right at the minimum load, and very close to the minimum in my 223 Rem. Could it be primer related?? I've only tried Winchester primers with my loads.

My loads were also using Winchester primers

[farmbif]

ive had bad winchester primers, not the older ones that were silver but the newer brass ones.

[nicholst55]

CFE = copper fouling eliminator. Whether or not it works I couldn’t tell you. But that’s how it was marketed

I was impressed by the lack of jacket fouling in my barrels when I tried it several years ago.

[Hick]

My loads were also using Winchester primers

Don't know what it could be then, I'll keep following the discussion.