Anyone using CFE Pistol in 38 spl (130 gr bullet)

[8shot]

Getting excellent accuracy with the GT Bullets 130 gr cast lead plain base 130gr HP bullet in my 686 Plus with 7" barrel.

Using the Hodgdon reloading data 5.3gr should result with 1053 FPS in a 7.7" test barrel. I'm up to 6.2 and just making 980fps...big difference. Using two different chronographs and cylinder gap is a uniform/tight .005.

Accuracy is still great at that max charge...but really starting to bark. Same condition with W231...goal is a 120K power factor.

It appears that CFE Pistol FPS listed data is more consistent with semi-auto calibers (closed chambers) but is way off with revolvers.

Anyone else have this experience with CFE in "38 special" revolvers?

 

[Nevada Ed]

I tested it in 38 special loads but am saving it for the .357 Magnum, to where it did really well.

It does well in 9mm 115-147 target loads, also, if you have one?

I found that it gets about 10% more fps than w231, with the same or better accuracy.

Enjoy.

 

[BillBro]

Hey Ed, last week I loaded up some at 6.3 and 6.6 but under the 358429's from GT. pretty stout for 38spl but nothing like my HS-6 load. Primers looked great and no sticky extraction. Here is a pic of the primers, which are S&B small.

 

[alwslate]

I would guess that it's more likely that Hodgdon's data is way off than CFE revolver data chronographed from revolvers. Brian Pearce shows 6.4 grs of CFE at 1,001 FPS and 1,009 FPS with two different 125 gr JHP bullets from a 6' K38.

 

[8shot]

There is a CFE Rifle, a CFE BLK, CFE Pistol now they need a CFE Revolver

 

[8shot]

Hey Ed, last week I loaded up some at 6.3 and 6.6 but under the 358429's from GT. pretty stout for 38spl but nothing like my HS-6 load. Primers looked great and no sticky extraction. Here is a pic of the primers, which are S&B small.

That must really bark! I settled in on the GT 130gr LHP cast bullet...no matter how much powder +/- (W231 or CFE Pistol) the groups are always very tight at 50 yards. Tried their heavier LHP bullets...but my revolvers love that light bullet.

 

[8shot]

I would guess that it's more likely that Hodgdon's data is way off than CFE revolver data chronographed from revolvers. Brian Pearce shows 6.4 grs of CFE at 1,001 FPS and 1,009 FPS with two different 125 gr JHP bullets from a 6' K38.

Thanks that makes sense and falls in line with my results.

 

[BillBro]

Hey Ed, last week I loaded up some at 6.3 and 6.6 but under the 358429's from GT. pretty stout for 38spl but nothing like my HS-6 load. Primers looked great and no sticky extraction.

Oh man!@ Sorry about the double post.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Hey Ed, last week I loaded up some at 6.3 and 6.6 but under the 358429's from GT. pretty stout for 38spl but nothing like my HS-6 load. Primers looked great and no sticky extraction.

Oh man!@ Sorry about the double post.

My 686 6" 38 special loads;
125 jhp: 6.3 CFE-p at 1035fps
158 Lwc: 5.5 CFE-p at 939fps.
158 Lwc: 7.0 HS-6 at 989fps.

my 357 Magnum loads;
125 jhp: 8.0 CFE-p at 1221fps
158 Lwc: 7.5 CFE-p at 1173fps.

Please note that these 38 special loads are from my L frame .357 Revolver
not a K frame or J frame revolver.

 

[8shot]

My 686 6" 38 special loads;
125 jhp: 6.3 CFE-p at 1035fps
158 Lwc: 5.5 CFE-p at 939fps.
158 Lwc: 7.0 HS-6 at 989fps.

my 357 Magnum loads;
125 jhp: 8.0 CFE-p at 1221fps
158 Lwc: 7.5 CFE-p at 1173fps.

Please note that these 38 special loads are from my L frame .357 Revolver
not a K frame or J frame revolver.

Thanks..that firms it up for me..I'll stick with my 6.2 load.

 

[Cdog]

In the fall of 2016 without having a lot of previous experience with CFE powders I purchased several lbs of CFE Pistol & CFE 223. Both were on sale and I was armed with a gift card.

Of the calibers I load I've used CFE Pistol for most. I don't think I've loaded any .41 Mag or .454 Casull, but I've been quite satisfied with it in everything from .38 Special through .45ACP. mid to full power applications.

Off topic a bit, but the CFE 223 has been relegated to high volume .308 Win and .223/5.56 applications.

Varget, Reloader 15, A-2520, W748 and IMR4064 all generally deliver better accuracy in the CFE app range.

I don't guess I shoot enough between cleanings to realize the true benefits of the fouling reduction.

 

[8shot]

Back in 2014 Shooting Times did an article about CFE Pistol. They had various "pistol" load charts (ie closed chamber) and one "revolver" load chart (ie cylinder gap).

I know they tested with a 2-1/2" barrel...but the discrepancies from listed Hodgdon FPS and actual FPS are significant...the revolver unfortunately wins big in that category. 38 Special

Still would like to see a CFE Revolver powder

Link if interested:

A 'Fast' Look at Hodgdon CFE Pistol Powder - Shooting Times

 

[Nevada Ed]

For some odd reason I did not take a lot of pictures of my CFE powder loads in 38 Special, test.
A lot in 357 and 9mm but I do have one picture of one of my early load test
in a 6" barrel, with a 38 case.

It will work for you, just that FPS can have 2 or 3 sweet spots, while
testing out powder amounts with a certain weight bullet.

Have fun.

 

[8shot]

For some odd reason I did not take a lot of pictures of my CFE powder loads in 38 Special, test.
A lot in 357 and 9mm but I do have one picture of one of my early load test
in a 6" barrel, with a 38 case.

It will work for you, just that FPS can have 2 or 3 sweet spots, while
testing out powder amounts with a certain weight bullet.

Have fun.

Thanks - the group on the left is what my 50 yard, rested double action, red dot scope groups look like with the 130gr GT Bullet.

38 spl Federal cases, Federal primers, 6.2 gr CFE in a 686 Plus 7" barrel