hogdon cfe pistol

[perryhd]

I found an old thread about this powder. It seemed that no one had much experience with it at that time. My LGS had some today and it was the first time I have seen it. I bought a pound and was wondering what some of you think about this
powder.Thanks in advance
Dan

 

[gboling]

I am away from my data but as I remember it is quite versatile.

 

[venomballistics]

its gradually winning me over.
It tries hard to be Unique while trying harder not to be.

 

[MichiganScott]

It meters like water and gives +P velocities at non+P pressures. What's not to like?

Accuracy may be excellent, but it's not a target powder like some of the older classics.

 

[Nevada Ed]

CFE pistol did not fair well in my 38 snub nose or light target loads in the 6"....... However it did better in medium to full loads in the longer barrel.

With the 357 6" it matched w231 with the 125gr FTX bullet and did well with medium to heavy loads with a 158 lead bullet.

In my 9mm's it did well with target loads with the 115 and 124gr plated RN bullets but lacked fps in the full loads out of my short barrels of 3 and 3.5"
Accuracy and fps were poor with the larger 147gr bullet but that was expected with the "Almost" Unique powder.

It falls between w231 and Unique, so it can work for a lot of loads, just depends on barrel length and velocity needed.

 

[Clovishound]

I like it. It is one of the better powders I have used in .38 and .357 magnum with 158 gr plated/jacketed, as well as 9mm 124 gr plated. I have used Titegroup, Universal, PB, Bullseye, Power Pistol, and HP38.

I would rate it as #2 on the list, with Universal #1.

 

[Rule3]

All well and good but doe it keep your pistols clean?

I want PbFE powder

 

[JBnTx]

All well and good but doe it keep your pistols clean?

I want PbFE powder

I can't tell any difference in cleanliness.

 

[venomballistics]

All well and good but doe it keep your pistols clean?

I want PbFE powder

Actually, it's fouling seems a little more persistent though overall, it seems cleaner.

Seems harbor freight has PbFE powder covered rather well.

 

[tim c]

Very clean great powder for 10mm

 

[Geo. T.]

Jeff Cooper used to say about double action auto's "It's an innovative solution to a nonexistent problem". I have never had any copper problems in handgun loads. With cast bullets yes but I don't think this is their claim to fame. I guess one more good powder is a plus though.

 

[Rule3]

I posted that I thought it was market hype a long time ago when the first announced it. Or the rifle version maybe??

Someone on another forum is stating that the Hodgdon data for the 40 SW is way to hot?? I don't know never used it.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Someone on another forum is stating that the Hodgdon data for the 40 SW is way to hot?? I don't know never used it.

A few days ago I tried a series of loads using Xtreme's 165gr RNFP & CFE-P (6.6, 6.9, 7.2, 7.5grs) in my 4013. Wasn't too happy with the combo, accuracy wise. (Hodgdon's load data for the 165gr Sierra JHP & Berry's P-FP is a little odd looking.) Had some good results in 45Auto as well as in my 357Mag with it though.

.

 

[perryhd]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I bought this powder not for the CFE on the container but because it said PISTOL. Pistol powder especially the old standbys have hard to come by. The past two years I have used 4 or 5 powders that i had not used before. My problem with some of these powders was not copper fouling but powder fouling. Now I have one more to try. Thanks again for the replies. If any one has load data for 380 using lead or plated bullets I would be grateful.
Dan

 

[Rule3]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I bought this powder not for the CFE on the container but because it said PISTOL. Pistol powder especially the old standbys have hard to come by. The past two years I have used 4 or 5 powders that i had not used before. My problem with some of these powders was not copper fouling but powder fouling. Now I have one more to try. Thanks again for the replies. If any one has load data for 380 using lead or plated bullets I would be grateful.
Dan

Ummmm.? Hodgdon does.

You can use plated or FMJ data for lead/plated.Use the start loads. As long as the bullet weight is the same, the COL WILL be Different.

Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading

 

[Magload]

I have used this powder for quite some time now switched to it when my container of Titegroup got real low. It was all I could find at the time and I have ran chrono test of it in 9mm, 38/357, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP. I did find that it was position sensitive in long cases with a low fill %. Also wasn't impressed with the vel I was getting with it in 357 Mag loads kind if powder puff loads. Shot great groups, not much fireball so they would make fine target loads. If anyone ask what you were shooting in that 357 you could always say 38 loads. Don

 

[Nevada Ed]

+1;
on light 38 special. (158gr target loads)
I started .3 grs below the starting load to see what the fps might be.
The paper target had a 3" plus "Pattern" !!

.5 grs below maximum was the best load in my 6" revolver.
Target pictures posted, months ago.

In my testing, CFE and HS-6 both do better with jacketed type bullets far out doing the lead bullets in accuracy and range.
Both are dirty at the bottom starting range and 9mm cases are very dirty but will eject, in my testing.
(pic posted )

CFE can work with light target loads but I think it was designed mainly for medium to near maximum loads.
Good shooting.

 

[Bugkiller99]

I've been happy with my .357 mg 158 gr LSWC light to moderate loads. Was also pleasantly surprised with my rifle and the same load.
Originally got to it try in my 9mm, but have yet to find a good 9mm load. Still working on that.

 

[perryhd]

Thanks Rule3 maybe I'm overly careful but the Hodgdon data for 380 acp only shows BAR TAC XP and jacketed bullets. I though someone might have data specifically for lead or copper plated lead bullets.
Thanks Dan

 

[Rule3]

Thanks Rule3 maybe I'm overly careful but the Hodgdon data for 380 acp only shows BAR TAC XP and jacketed bullets. I though someone might have data specifically for lead or copper plated lead bullets.
Thanks Dan

The powder is to new to be in any manual. Not all bullets of every make and profile will ever be listed in the manuals or in print. You have to know and learn how to adapt or interpolate.

As I said you can use the jacketed data for plated bullets. Just as the folks who make jacketed tell you you can (use the mid range) I suggested the start load. Same with lead bullets there is less pressure so upi will gain a bit in velocity.

Research if you must but we have been doing it for a long time.

https://www.berrysmfg.com/faq-q21-c1-Load_Data_for_Berrys_Preferred_Plated_Bullets.aspx

" currently published load data is limited to some calibers by Accurate, Western Powders and Hodgdon. We are working with these companies to get data published for all of our bullets.

We recommend using hard cast load data or start with mid-range jacketed data. Make sure data is below 1250fps unless you are using a Thick-Plated bullet that we list a higher max velocity for like the 9mm 124gr HBRN-TP that can be shot to 1500fps in open class guns like a .38 Super. Keep in mind that since our plated bullet has the same pressure curve as a hard cast bullet, the published cast data will be very close to what you will get with our plated bullets. If you use Jacketed data with our plated bullets you can get from 5% - 8% increase in velocity using that data.


Other than the data from Western and Accurate for the 9mm, .40S&W and Hodgdon .40S&W there is no printed data available.

For further questions you can email [email protected]"