308 CFE 223 load recommendations

[AlexN]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if someone with experience of this powder could help me with some loads using CFE 223 with both Hornady 150 grain SST and GMX bullets?

Also the expected fps for each load would be amazing!!

Thank you in advance.

Alex

 

[Southern]

I have not loaded CFE 223 with the GMX nor the Barnes bullets, but have loaded it with the flat base and the 150-gr FMJ boat tail Hornady bullets.
The Hodgdon data for these bullets is 44.0 to 49.0 grains. I have not played much, but found accurate loads at 46.5 grains.
It is close to BL(C2), a little slower than Varget, maybe. I suspect the 49.0 grain load is pretty fast, because 46.5 is about 2,750 fps from a 22-inch barrel.

After I posted this, I went to the Hodgdon web site and their data has changed to a max load of 51.4 grains, at over 2,900 fps.

Reloading the .308 Winchester | Hodgdon Reloading

Take Aim at Rifle Reloading Data | Hodgdon Reloading

 

[nun_hunter]

I'll dig out my old date for the 150SST, if I remember it grouped 0.9 inch at 150 yards. Didn't chrono it so not sure on speed. It was either 49 or 50 grains of powder. Couldn't get Barnes 130 grain copper bullets to group any better than 1.5moa no matter what I did. Shame as I really wanted them to do well.

 

[nun_hunter]

Just checked the targets I had. Federal brass, Remington primers, 49g of CFE223 seated out to 20thou off the lands gave a 0.92" group at 154m.

As the CFE223 is a spherical powder it meters from a powder thrower really well so I didn't bother to weigh every load, just threw them straight into a primed case. Accuracy was good enough to regularly shoot rabbits at 200m from my highseat when no deer showed or I got bored.

 

[turner.jc1]

I load 49gr CFE223 in my 308 with 150gr bullets (game king/accubond).

 

[AlexN]

Thanks for the info folks! It’s strange though, as I’ve loaded a 150 grain SST with 50 grains at 2.8 COL and the same with the GMX, only difference is that the GMX is a longer bullet so I never had the guts to fire it. When you shake the cartridge near your ear there is no sound whatsoever, so I’m worried that it’s a compressed load. I was following the Lee loading guide too, so in theory it should be fine.

 

[Southern]

Since Hodgdon has changed their recipes, you need to find the latest Hornady data, too. Start with a load like mine, 46.5 and work up to the new recommended load of 49.0 grains. Never start at the max load.