CFE Pistol Powder Chrono results / 9mm & .45acp

[straight-shooter]

I picked up a jug of Hodgdon CFE Pistol Powder and just returned from the range after putting some over a Chrono. For those interested I'll use this thread to post the results. First off I'd like to say it shoots very predictable as the loads increased and I could definitely tell when I hit the border between a light load and a moderate load. Turns out I like the somewhat moderate loads for the produced felt recoil and accuracy.

The 9mm loads were fired with a H&K VP9 (This pistol just continues to delight but that another thread).

Xtreme 124 RN - CFE Pistol 4.8gr
Hi Vel:|1040
Low Vel:|998
Ave Vel:|1016
Ext Spread:|42
Std Dev:|20
Power Factor:| 123 - 128

Xtreme 124 RN - CFE Pistol 5.0gr
Hi Vel:|1071
Low Vel:|1039
Ave Vel:|1053
Ext Spread:|32
Std Dev:|13
Power Factor:| 128 - 131

Xtreme 124 RN - CFE Pistol 5.2gr
Hi Vel:|1102
Low Vel:|1070
Ave Vel:|1080
Ext Spread:|32
Std Dev:|13
Power Factor:| 132 - 136

Xtreme 124 RN - CFE Pistol 5.4gr
Hi Vel:|1124
Low Vel:|1099
Ave Vel:|1108
Ext Spread:|25
Std Dev:|9
Power Factor:| 136 - 139

I've chosen the load of 5.4gr for the 9mm as accuracy was fantastic and felt recoil was what I personally like. All loads cycled the gun.

Now for the .45 data fired from a Glock 21 SF

Lyman 225 LRN Powder Coated - CFE Pistol 5.8gr
Hi Vel:|812
Low Vel:|783
Ave Vel:|797
Ext Spread:|29
Std Dev:|10
Power Factor:| 176 - 182

Lyman 225 LRN Powder Coated - CFE Pistol 6.0gr
Hi Vel:|850
Low Vel:|796
Ave Vel:|819
Ext Spread:|54
Std Dev:|20
Power Factor:| 179 - 191

Lyman 225 LRN Powder Coated - CFE Pistol 6.2gr
Hi Vel:|878
Low Vel:|822
Ave Vel:|845
Ext Spread:|56
Std Dev:|20
Power Factor:| 184 - 197


Lyman 225 LRN Powder Coated - CFE Pistol 6.4gr
Hi Vel:|874
Low Vel:|862
Ave Vel:|867
Ext Spread:|12
Std Dev:|4
Power Factor:| 193 - 196

Even though the power factor is well above 165 on this one at 6.4gr, it's the load I found the most accurate. I know with pistol that the ES and SD isn't critical but I was astounded by the numbers on this one. All loads cycled the gun.

Well folks, there you have some numbers at least with plated 124gr and LRN 225gr using CFE Pistol powder. I found the characteristics to be very similar to W231 in the way it sounds and feels. It meters fantastic and I have no regrets and am very stoked about snagging some of this.

 

[Kingpin]

Good info thanks

 

[mr.steve]

I also like CFE Pistol powder. It has the lowest burn rate of all the powders I've tried. I settled on 4.2gr using Berrys 147gr RN. Chrono was 887 average out of a 3" barrel. Very manageable recoil. I'd like to find some more of it.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

How many of each did you fire?

 

[JStang314]

Thanks I've got a pound of this I haven't tried yet for .40

 

[straight-shooter]

How many of each did you fire?

8 rounds fired for each string. Something I find very interesting is I compared notes with other reloaders shooting the same bullet in the .45 cal. Only difference being theirs was lead and mine are lead that's powder coated. I'm seeing a increase in velocity of about 80 fps. So with this information I further searched the web and found similar results with other reloader using powder coat.

What this tells me is the pressures are the same of a softer load with a increase in velocity if that makes any sense.

 

[redwingshooter]

Thanks for posting this data, it's always helpful to see what others are getting for a newer powder! Rep'ed

 

[Leo]

Good information, it looks like a good powder, thanks.

 

[bgcatty]

Nice write up and thank you for your efforts. I was surprised that you did not work up a load with a standard 230 grn. bullet from Xtreme for the .45. This particular bullet is a very good shooter and I've been loading it over 4.8 grns of Bullseye for a while now. Just wondering what it would do with CFE Pistol which probably would meter better than Bullseye.

 

[straight-shooter]

Nice write up and thank you for your efforts. I was surprised that you did not work up a load with a standard 230 grn. bullet from Xtreme for the .45. This particular bullet is a very good shooter and I've been loading it over 4.8 grns of Bullseye for a while now. Just wondering what it would do with CFE Pistol which probably would meter better than Bullseye.

CFE Pistol meters like water seemingly better that some ball powders if that's even possible. I'm going to venture to say that the Xtreme 230 grn bullet would be very similar to what I'm shooting. After powder coat it's weighs at exactly 233 grn. It's round nose profile is very close to the Xtreme's RN. The major factor would be how deep the base goes in to the brass compared to mine.

I don't buy any bullets in .45 cal since casting them saves a bunch of $$. 9mm not so much so I buy the Xtreme's.

As always when using a different bullet it's best to work em' up.

 

[BlackGun]

Thanks for posting!

 

[dieselrealtor]

I bought some of this a while back, haven't had the chance to load it.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

CFE Pistol meters like water seemingly better that some ball powders if that's even possible.

I had gotten some CFE Pistol and loaded some 9mm this weekend. Metering was super consistent.

I just did some starter loads 4.4 gr with 125 RN, but I didn't get to shoot any with the rain.

Thanks for posting all that good info.

 

[straight-shooter]

Watch getting any hotter than 4.4gr cause it will start getting pretty energetic after that point.