CFE powder with 38 special

[Nevada Ed]

Got to try out three loads in 38 Spl. with three standard loadings.
110gr jhp, 125gr jhp and a 158gr Lwc with the new CFE powder,
to see how it stacked up against Unique.
Grain for Grain it was a little slower but for the first testing
I was very happy at the groups.... just wonder what will finally turn up?

First thing I noticed was the amount of powder was..........
"Way down there.............." in the case.
This can be a double charge very easy if one does not pay attention.

Anyway here is what came across the screen at 12 feet and ended up on the paper 15 yards away......with a long 6" barrel.
As you can see, I did not have the coffee jitters today !!

[scooter123]

Thanks for putting this up. I've been loading my 38 special with Vihtavouri 3N37 and your results indicate that CFE pistol is an excellent substitute for the 3N37. Having picked up a couple of pounds of the CFE I've been sort of regarding as a reserve but may break open a bottle and try it out.

[ArchAngelCD]

Wow, that is some good groups especially with a 158gr LSWC bullet. That powder looks like it will replicate the FBI Load very well. (with good velocity too)

Thanks for the range report.

[m657]

I just loaded a jug of CFE/38 special for the first time...but used 3 different charge weights and 2 lead boolit sizes....haven't had time to create a nice photo group yet....but CFE did so nice in my trial of 124 9mm that I decided to gamble a bit without the careful few-at-a-time approach.

[venomballistics]

While I still see no point to it's copper fouling reduction thing, that's the kind of result that justifies it's existence.
Guess I'll have to check data and wait for it to turn up.

[Ben_hutcherson]

Glad to see your great results with this powder.

As mentioned, it's very dense but at the end of the day probably no more dangerous than Bullseye or any other powder that's been used safely for years. I'm also not sold on the "CFE" part of the powder, but there's enough other good stuff to like about it that I don't really care.

And, best of all, it's available!

[Clovishound]

Any of the powders I have for .38 special have the downfall of being able to double, triple, or even quadruple throw in a case originally designed for black powder. This is one of the downfalls of .38 special. Still, it is something good technique can deal with reliably IMO.

I have not had any issues with copper fouling, but it's good to know this seems to be a decent powder with something extra that is probably unnecessary. I haven't seen any on the shelves yet, but will snap up a pound of this if it does show up. That is, unless I can get a pound of Universal, or HP38 first.

[H Richard]

I don't see it doing anything that 231 hasn't already done. With 9mm, 38, 45, 44 Spec, etc I haven't had enough copper fouling to ever be concerned about. When you start running the 41, 44 mags and up perhaps there is a place for it.

[TucsonMTB]

Nice shooting! Thank you for sharing the good news about another useful pistol powder.

There is so little pistol powder on shelves around here that my first 38 special reloads were charged with IMR PB . . . and I was grateful to get that 14 ounce bottle from a local shop.

Subsequently, I over paid for a pound of Alliant Bullseye on GunBroker. Recently, one of my rifle shooting buddies took pity on me and sold me a pound of Alliant Unique, so I am set for the moment.

But, if I see any of this CFE locally, it will probably follow me home.

[Ben_hutcherson]

Originally Posted by H Richard

I don't see it doing anything that 231 hasn't already done. With 9mm, 38, 45, 44 Spec, etc I haven't had enough copper fouling to ever be concerned about. When you start running the 41, 44 mags and up perhaps there is a place for it.

Except that CFE Pistol is relatively available now...I don't know when the last time I saw 231(or HP38) was.

[Jaymo]

Originally Posted by H Richard

I don't see it doing anything that 231 hasn't already done. With 9mm, 38, 45, 44 Spec, etc I haven't had enough copper fouling to ever be concerned about. When you start running the 41, 44 mags and up perhaps there is a place for it.

The one thing it does for me that 231 doesn't, is actually show up on my LGS' shelves.
I can't find any Winchester pistol powder other than Auto Comp

[Clovishound]

Originally Posted by TucsonMTB

Nice shooting! Thank you for sharing the good news about another useful pistol powder.

There is so little pistol powder on shelves around here that my first 38 special reloads were charged with IMR PB . . . and I was grateful to get that 14 ounce bottle from a local shop.

Subsequently, I over paid for a pound of Alliant Bullseye on GunBroker. Recently, one of my rifle shooting buddies took pity on me and sold me a pound of Alliant Unique, so I am set for the moment.

But, if I see any of this CFE locally, it will probably follow me home.

I picked up some PB out of desperation earlier this year. Ihave been using it for .38 with 158 gr LSWCs. Other than being dirty, it shoots quite well. Low recoil, good accuracy. My daughter put a bunch of half dollar sized groups in at 7 yds the other day out of my model 10 4".

[retired_diver]

I was at Cabela's yesterday and the ONLY pistol powder they had was CFE. Didn't know anything about it so skipped buying any. I now think that was a big mistake based on your results. At least i still have 8lbs of AA#5, 4lbs of 700x, 2lbs of 800x and 1lb of 231, BE and BD left for pistols.

[Collo Rosso]

I've been using HS-6 for 45acp,9mm and 38spl. with jacketed bullets. CFE pistol looks to be a good substitute delivering the higher velocities like HS-6. Now, if I could actually find some to purchase...

[TucsonMTB]

Originally Posted by Clovishound

I picked up some PB out of desperation earlier this year. Ihave been using it for .38 with 158 gr LSWCs. Other than being dirty, it shoots quite well. Low recoil, good accuracy. My daughter put a bunch of half dollar sized groups in at 7 yds the other day out of my model 10 4".

Thank you for the encouragement, sir! I haven't given up on PB. In fact, some Federal 200 primers followed me home to try to clean up the powder residue in a future "light load" experiment.

In the meantime, this "new to pistol calibers" hand loader hopes to achieve better accuracy out of the more conventional pistol cartridge recipes. With loading 30-06 for my Garand finally down to a science. It would be nice if less trial and error were required to make accurate 38 special ammunition.

A Frankford Arsenal ultrasonic cleaner ($36.50 on closeout from Midway) just landed on my doorstep. At only 100 watts, it is impressively slow, but clean cases have to be worth a little extra time. Right?