Hodgdon CFE Pistol

[Miracle Man]

I've played around with this powder a couple years ago, but didn't really dig that deep. But I'm now finding I really like CFE pistol.

Out of my Sp. XDM 10mm with a 155 gr XTP I'm getting 1,315 FPS with a mild load of CFE. Low velocity was 1,302 High was 1,330 out of 6 rounds. It burns pretty clean and seems well suited to the 10mm. Not a ton of recoil/muzzle blast/flame throwing. I'll probably go up a couple 1/10ths and check out velocity jump and group size.

And out of my Sig P365 9mm with a fairly stout load of CFE I'm getting 1,146 FPS with a 115 gr. XTP. Again it seems to be very stable. High velocity of 1,157 Low of 1,129. Not a ton of muzzle blast, recoil in the small gun is good, comfortable. Accuracy is good as well.

I believe I'm going to experiment some more with this powder. I'm impressed with how it's performing so far.

 

[venomballistics]

When it first hit the market, I viewed it as a gimmick.
Copper fowling at handgun velocities just isn't the thing it can be in a rifle.
But, lo and behold, the stuff makes some serious numbers in a lot of handgun cartridges. so a few 8 pounders followed me home.
I use it for less than magnum loads in 357 and 44, it's the standard fuel in 45 auto, 9mm and 38 special and even finds use in 400 Corbon.
It seems to do alright where I would have used Unique or power pistol.

 

[Racer X]

I need to look at it again it seems. It looks like it might be a generic powder to make decent loads in most calibers I will be loading for.

Anyone try it in .357 Sig?

 

[Miracle Man]

When it first hit the market, I viewed it as a gimmick.
Copper fowling at handgun velocities just isn't the thing it can be in a rifle.
But, lo and behold, the stuff makes some serious numbers in a lot of handgun cartridges. so a few 8 pounders followed me home.
I use it for less than magnum loads in 357 and 44, it's the standard fuel in 45 auto, 9mm and 38 special and even finds use in 400 Corbon.
It seems to do alright where I would have used Unique or power pistol.

Agree

I'm not so sure it's going to shove 2400 or H110 off the magnum peak. But it seems (in somewhat limited testing) to achieve decent velocity without a bunch of ROAR.

Like I said I'm going to dig a little deeper with it.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I've played around with this powder a couple years ago, but didn't really dig that deep. But I'm now finding I really like CFE pistol.

Out of my Sp. XDM 10mm with a 155 gr XTP I'm getting 1,315 FPS with a mild load of CFE. Low velocity was 1,302 High was 1,330 out of 6 rounds. It burns pretty clean and seems well suited to the 10mm. Not a ton of recoil/muzzle blast/flame throwing. I'll probably go up a couple 1/10ths and check out velocity jump and group size.

And out of my Sig P365 9mm with a fairly stout load of CFE I'm getting 1,146 FPS with a 115 gr. XTP. Again it seems to be very stable. High velocity of 1,157 Low of 1,129. Not a ton of muzzle blast, recoil in the small gun is good, comfortable. Accuracy is good as well.

I believe I'm going to experiment some more with this powder. I'm impressed with how it's performing so far.

In my 5" 9mm with a 115 gr FMJ bullet with CFE-p powder,
6.1grs gave me 1252fps.

It works well in the 38 and 357 for target loads with plated bullets, also.

 

[Cdog]

A few years back I found it on sale and with gift card in hand stockpiled a hefty amount of CFE Pistol.

I load mostly high capacity cases and like the increase in load density provided by CFE compared to many other favored powders. Never been concerned with number of rounds per pound. I have a disdain for a mere dusting of powder in .45 ACP, .45 Colt, .38 Special and similar old war horses.

The only time I shy away from it is if I'm looking for powder puff velocity
rounds. A Colt SAA .45 is one that I choose a different powder for. The sights simply aren't regulated for the higher velocities CFE delivers.

I recently told someone that if I had to choose a single non magnum powder for most handgun applications today it would knock Universal and Unique off their perch.

There are other really good powders, but out of the gate Hodgdon marketing provided a world of data for CFE Pistol making it very easy to transition to.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have never tried CFE Pistol. I have my 3 favorite powders and until they fail me I see no reason to change. Of course I do have many more than 3 but only for specialty loads such as Speer 38/357 GDHP short barrel replica ammo or because I wanted to try them. That's how I finally settled.upon my favorite powders.

I can load any handgun cartridge and do it well with W231/HP-38, W540/HS-6 or W296/H110.

I'm not against different powders and I have heard many good things about CFE Pistol but I have so much of the older powders, and so many loads worked up for about a dozen different cartridges I find it hard to change. I already have 13 different handgun powders so I'm not going to buy more unless I absolutely have to. The last "new" powders I purchased were W244 and W572 to see how similar they were to W231 and HS-6.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Not a ton of recoil/muzzle blast/flame throwing.

CFE-P is flash suppressed.

It's a good medium speed multi-purpose powder but slower powders are better for full power 10AUTO loads.

.

 

[rosewood]

Have been using CFE Pistol for a few years now and it has worked well where I have used it. Seems like at max load you can hit just over 1400 FPS with the 155 in a 5" 10mm. I also have used BE-86 (basically Alliant's version of it) and the performance of it is about the same as CFE Pistol.

Longshot has been my go to for 200 grain 10mm loads, I haven't tried CFE-P or BE-86 with 200 grain yet.

Rosewood

 

[Miracle Man]

I have never tried CFE Pistol. I have my 3 favorite powders and until they fail me I see no reason to change. Of course I do have many more than 3 but only for specialty loads such as Speer 38/357 GDHP short barrel replica ammo or because I wanted to try them. That's how I finally settled.upon my favorite powders.

I can load any handgun cartridge and do it well with W231/HP-38, W540/HS-6 or W296/H110.

I'm not against different powders and I have heard many good things about CFE Pistol but I have so much of the older powders, and so many loads worked up for about a dozen different cartridges I find it hard to change. I already have 13 different handgun powders so I'm not going to buy more unless I absolutely have to. The last "new" powders I purchased were W244 and W572 to see how similar they were to W231 and HS-6.

I don't blame you. With today's prices, wow. But that's another thing for me. It's available, and I don't have a ton of other stuff stockpiled. And it's priced somewhat reasonable considering today's prices.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

I've used CFP-p in a few calibers and I like it. These loads are pleasant, low flash, and have shown good accuracy:

9mm Glock 19, 124gr FMJ, 4.8 gr, COAL 1.115 at 984 ft/sec
38 Sp S&W 19-4 6", 158gr LSWC, 5.2 gr, COAL 1.390, 1,010 f/s
44 Sp S&W 624 6.5", 205 gr LRNFP, 6 gr, COAL 1.537, 1035 f/s

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't blame you. With today's prices, wow. But that's another thing for me. It's available, and I don't have a ton of other stuff stockpiled. And it's priced somewhat reasonable considering today's prices.

In that case I would do the same.

 

[Cdog]

I have never tried CFE Pistol. I have my 3 favorite powders and until they fail me I see no reason to change. Of course I do have many more than 3 but only for specialty loads such as Speer 38/357 GDHP short barrel replica ammo or because I wanted to try them. That's how I finally settled.upon my favorite powders.

I can load any handgun cartridge and do it well with W231/HP-38, W540/HS-6 or W296/H110.

I'm not against different powders and I have heard many good things about CFE Pistol but I have so much of the older powders, and so many loads worked up for about a dozen different cartridges I find it hard to change. I already have 13 different handgun powders so I'm not going to buy more unless I absolutely have to. The last "new" powders I purchased were W244 and W572 to see how similar they were to W231 and HS-6.

Probably a couple of years back I found a 4lb container of W572 priced @ $64.

I did a quick check to see if it was a decent match for .45 ACP .38 Super and a couple of other I love to shoot and picked it up.

I was asked cash or card and replied cash. $64/$16 per pound out the door!

I have found W572 to be an excellent powder. If you haven't tried it yet, I think you'll find a lot to like about it too.

 

[Skeet 028]

I'm somewhat like ArchAngel... I have a lot of old favorites...or even worse Old powders. I am slowly working my way through 6 lbs of HS-5...But the reason I still have some old powder is I just keep trying new stuff. Some of the newer powders are very good ...but I continue to gravitate back to the old favorites such as Unique...and others. I have used CFE-P esp in jacketed warmer 38 Sp and 357...works good. Used BE -86 too. Have an 8 lb of Longshot to try in something.... I just don't get into the barn burners in most handgun loads....well maybe in the Contenders using Lil Gun or 296 in things like 357 Max...otherwise these medium powders just keep me happy with their fun loadings. A lot of powders are becoming available again...albeit at significantly higher prices

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Probably a couple of years back I found a 4lb container of W572 priced @ $64.

I did a quick check to see if it was a decent match for .45 ACP .38 Super and a couple of other I love to shoot and picked it up.

I was asked cash or card and replied cash. $64/$16 per pound out the door!

I have found W572 to be an excellent powder. If you haven't tried it yet, I think you'll find a lot to like about it too.

First, thank you for the info on W572.

I bought W572 to see if it can be a suitable substitute for HS-6 and W244 to see if it will be able to.replace W231.

When a company comes out with "new" powders which are extremely close to ones they already have I start thinking history is repeating itself and eventually the switch will happen. (think W230 and W231) The release said these powders are easier to produce and cleaner. That's another reason I think what I said above.

While now my powders are W231, HS-6 and W296 I guess I can be just as happy with W244, W572 and W296...

 

[Miracle Man]

I'm somewhat like ArchAngel... I have a lot of old favorites...or even worse Old powders. I am slowly working my way through 6 lbs of HS-5...But the reason I still have some old powder is I just keep trying new stuff. Some of the newer powders are very good ...but I continue to gravitate back to the old favorites such as Unique...and others. I have used CFE-P esp in jacketed warmer 38 Sp and 357...works good. Used BE -86 too. Have an 8 lb of Longshot to try in something.... I just don't get into the barn burners in most handgun loads....well maybe in the Contenders using Lil Gun or 296 in things like 357 Max...otherwise these medium powders just keep me happy with their fun loadings. A lot of powders are becoming available again...albeit at significantly higher prices

See I started out reloading for pistols oh 10-12 years ago but it was all revolvers. 44mag, 45LC, 357. 2400. H110, and titegroup covered like 90% of what I loaded. I was a lot more into the BOOM back then with a small sprinkle of lead for plinking.

Now, I'm over that. And I've just recently (2,3 years ago) gotten into reloading for semi-autos. Pretty much a different animal. So I didn't have a lot of powder stockpiled for that realm.

I'm working up some 45acp loads using CFE and XTP/hardball now. I believe I'm going to like it.

 

[Skeet 028]

First handgun I loaded for was 44 Mag..Rugers Flat Top in 1962..next 41 Mag later 45 auto... I got 45 and 30 carbine free from a fellow who worked at Aberdeen Proving Ground... Free mags too... Till he died in a car wreck in 1966.

 

[venomballistics]

I'm working up some 45acp loads using CFE and XTP/hardball now. I believe I'm going to like it.

It's at the core of my 45ACP standard ball.
It's a tickle and a half warmer than previous powders seemed to allow.
It's the right medicine behind my 200G coated cast HP

 

[Miracle Man]

It's at the core of my 45ACP standard ball.
It's a tickle and a half warmer than previous powders seemed to allow.
It's the right medicine behind my 200G coated cast HP

I carried my 1911 years ago as a much younger man. It's just too big and especially heavy for me as EDC now. However, I'd still like to carry my 1911 for short little jaunts here and there. I've been shooting them since the mid 80's and I can shoot them well.

I'm probably going to find some 200 gr lead to carry on my little woods journeys with 1911.

 

[venomballistics]

I carried my 1911 years ago as a much younger man. It's just too big and especially heavy for me as EDC now. However, I'd still like to carry my 1911 for short little jaunts here and there. I've been shooting them since the mid 80's and I can shoot them well.

I'm probably going to find some 200 gr lead to carry on my little woods journeys with 1911.

Especially coated. where you gain a few FPS here and a few FPS there between powder and bullet construction, it elevates into a nice little butterzone. You'll love it.