What's a good loading for 223/556 using Hodgen CFE 223?

Question

I have been using 335 and 322 powders forever, however, with it being in short supply, my son showed up with an 8 pound can of CFE 223. I notice the pressures are pretty high compared to 335 and 322 so I am wondering what pet loads anyone has come up with. Preferaby something "all purpose" as I am shooting through 4-16 inch barrels, 2-14, and 3-20 inch barrels.

Answer 1

I've been loading a lot of CFE 223 lately. I got a deal on a bunch of 55 grain varmint bullets, so that has been the combo. I have been running right in the middle of min/max as listed on the manufactures site. It's a clean powder that meters well. A moderate load behind a 55 grain bullet works well in all my ARs and my .223 bolt gun. Even though I read other people's experiences with various loads on Internet forums, I never use second hand information that doesn't completely agree with the official company loads, since many people push past maximum levels. I've never seen the point in pushing the .223 too hard. If you need more velocity, there are other options out there.

Answer 2

you never get load data off a internet forum,. none of the loads we suggest can be verified safely. if you need load data only trust the powder manufacturer, a reloading manual, or bullet manufacturer's data. for hodgdon they have it free to the public. http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle



i used CFE 223 before. its totally 'meh'. reduced economy compared to imr4198, needs more powder for similar velocity. normally i wouldn't be bothered as much but due to shortage i want to get as many loads per pound as possible and this doesn't work for me.

CFE wasn't in my Quickload software (version 3.6) so i wasn't able to play with the load a bit and try to make it work better.



you do not have to use the same brand of bullets as the load data specifies, same weight different bullet works as long as you can compensate for the difference in bullet length and figure out the new correct COL using the different bullet. what they should tell you is bullet seat depth becuase that's what really matters.

Answer 3

Seriously? I am a reloading instructor. My kids, when they were 7 years old, could have found this info.



You have no clue how to find the Hodgen website or the online load data?



Go to yahoo.com

Type in 'Hodgen CFE 223" and click 'enter'

The 4th link down is Hodgen's CFE web site. Click the damn thing.

At Hodgen - click 'Load Data'

Click "Rifle"

At the new splash screen, click '223 Remington'

Click '55gr'

Click 'Hodgen'

Click 'CFE 223'

Your load data will be displayed below



That you can not find the safe load data from a manufacturer's website - tells me you should not be reloading.



That you come to a place like this - and then ask the most basic of questions - is just over the top scary. Didnt you take a class, or, bother to read a reloading manual....... or did you sleep/skip past the part about not accepting load data except from a 'known reliable source'? If somone here said to add (insert dangerous amount here) - would you have done it?



Every range has 'someone' people talk about. Someone who showed up all proud of the ammo they made - and then their rifle blows up and everyone is scrambling to haul them and their bloody hands/face - and any human fragment larger than a quarter..... to the Emergency Room. You dont want to be 'that guy'. Today's question tell me you are well onto your way to becoming, 'That Guy'.



You never, ever, use load data from forums, email, newsletters, or magazine articles without double checking the load is safe 'from two very different sources'. You should use the manfuacturer's web site of the powder you are using, and, the bullet manufacturer's web site - or load books - to check a load is safe before making it.



That you did not know this - should be a screaming red flag that there could be other holes in your reloading knowledge and education. Please, for you own safety - take a class or seek out somone local to mentor you.

Answer 4

I suggest __._ grains under a __ __________ bullet.



There is NO FROGGING WAY that i am going to have any part of you blowing your rifle up.



Be sure to video your test fire session with a remote camera.