Comments on: Hodgdon Claims New CFE™223 Ball Powder Deters Copper Fouling

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:23:00 +0000

I remember reading that tin was added to the power circa WWI. Possibly when pure copper jackets (pre “luballoy”). If I remember correctly, the heat during combustion created a tin-copper alloy that didn’t stick to the bore, or was at least easily removed.
My guess is that CFE has an improved version.

By: Don

Don — Tue, 22 May 2012 19:38:29 +0000

It is certainly an interesting powder, seems to be spherical and flake mix…no way it is TAC renamed,as was opined in another thread.
What I have found, tho, is that it meters insanely accurately, gives superb accuracy(with the loads I worked up/my rifle), and does definitely reduce copper fouling, in my experience.
One strange thing I did note: when cleaning I find minute shiny “flakes” on the patches during initial swabbing….this just may be the de-coppering additive or a result of it’s action?
In short, it certainly seems to work, and the performance is stellar, I will burn a bunch of this.
As for the question on affecting brass: so far, after several firing cycles, my brass shows no ill effects…

By: edlacy

edlacy — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:13:25 +0000

You may want to take a look at the following site. There is a lot of info on this type of powder, and it seems this isn’t the first powdwer to have this additive.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/5701425/2/Hodgdon_s_new_CFE_223_powder

By: Snugs

Snugs — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:36:32 +0000

I wonder if the additives that prevent copper fouling will have any effect on brass casings. This is the one thing that makes me wary about picking some up, though I suppose it may be something that has to be tried….