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Old 04-04-2018, 12:28 PM
Joe4d Joe4d is offline
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Default Hodgdon CFE in magnums

Any one using this in mid length barrel 44 and 357's ?
Been playing with Be86, but CFE is a bit slower and seems slower than HS6,, wasnt to happy with the SD of the hs6 workups with 158 SWC and 180's in the 5" 357. Havent chronoed the 44 mag , also 5".
Going for medium magnum loads with a bit less powder and recoil than 2400 or H110.
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Old 04-04-2018, 12:48 PM
cowboy4evr cowboy4evr is offline
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For mid range magnum loads I use WSF (Winchester Super Field ) . It's a bit slower than Unique . In 357 w/158 gr bullet , I use 7.5 grs . In the 44 magnum w/240 gr bullet I use 9.5 grs . I don't have a chronograph , but those are my " everyday " loads . They have plenty of power for daily use , accurate , less recoil and very clean . I have never tried CFE so I can't comment . WSF is my go to powder for the 357 , 41, 44 magnums and the 45Colt . Regards, Paul

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Old 04-04-2018, 01:54 PM
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In my 686 6" revolver CFE pistol was almost like w231 with the 125 JHP at 1221fps.

With the heavy 158gr lead bullet CFE did nice at 1094 with a max of 1173fps.
HS-6 was a nice target load at 1108fps while a full load of BE86 did 1271fps.

All three worked in my weapon, just lucky I guess.
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Old 04-04-2018, 05:54 PM
Joe4d Joe4d is offline
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humm sounds odd based on supposed burn rates,, I too got great velocities with BE86,,, thought CFE might do better,,, but maybe not.
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Old 04-04-2018, 05:56 PM
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158 gr Missouri coated SWC
BE86 performed very well
5" 686
BE86 7.3 grs 1101 fps SD 4.3
7.9 grs 1186 fps,, but SD 39 opened up,, 7.3 was probably sweet spot.
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Old 04-05-2018, 11:57 AM
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I have not loaded 38 or 357 for over a year and have been doing 9mm testing.

In a 5" 9mm with a 124gr Xtreme bullet with a full loading.......
CFE pistol did................ 1205fps
BE86 powder did............ 1206fps.

Unique did...................... 1267fps.
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