SHOT Show: Hodgdon Introduces New CFE™223 Powder
Hodgdon Powder has introduced a new spherical (ball) powder called CFE™223. Hodgdon claims that this new powder “greatly deters copper fouling” compared to other propellants. Originally developed for U.S. rapid-fire military systems, CFE™223 incorporates a proprietary chemistry named “Copper Fouling Eraser”. Based on tests with extended shot strings, Hodgdon claims that, by using CFE™223, match shooters, varmint hunters, and AR shooters can maintain accuracy for longer periods, with less barrel-cleaning time.
Load Data Now Available Online for CFE™223
Reload data for CFE™223 is available for 27 different cartridges with 147 loads. It is suitable for loading in many popular chamberings including: .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, 22-250, 6mmBR, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Rem, 7mm-08, and .308 Win. Maximum velocities are obtained in the .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, 22-250, and .308 Win with load data found at Hodgdon’s Reloading Data Center. CFE™223 is a spherical (ball) powder, so it meters well. The new powder will be available in one- and eight-pound containers starting in January, 2012. For more info, call (913) 362-9455 or write to: Hodgdon Powder, 6231 Robinson, Shawnee Mission, KS 66202.
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Tags: CFE™223, Chris Hodgdon, Copper fouling, Fouling Eraser, Hodgdon, Powder, Propellant
How does it work? Is it a lubricant, or abrasive?
EXACTLY! What about barrel life! Sounds scary to me.
IF they screw up Benchmark,,,
I’ve already posted something on this on the website http://www.rifleshootermag.com, here is the gist of it.
I this is most likely based of a decoppering agent, such as bismuth or tin (as an extremely finely powdered metal, alloy or a compound of), being added, to and incorporated with, the propellant matrix (grains). The bismuth, or other suitable material, forming brittle alloys with the copper fouling, this removed by the action of the next projectile and propellant gases.
Previously the decoppering action was attained by the addition of lead compounds to the propellant, the explosive used in the primer (lead styphnate for example), or in larger weapons, as a foil sheet. Another method was to rely on the melted/vaporised lead from the base of some open-base jacketed bullets. In all cases a brittle copper/lead alloy is formed, which is removed by the action mentioned above.
Some info can be gleaned from various patents covering the subject; one of the latest is United States Patent Application 20050115452.
Hope this answers your question?
It will be interesting to see if this would be a suitable replacement for Varget. Temperature stability is more important than less fouling for me, but if it’s as good I’ll take it! I imagine it will meter better.
I doubt this will be temperature stable, which is more important to me than reduced copper fouling. A load that gets re-tuned due to temperature change will be less accurate from the very first shot fired down a clean bore. I’m liking AR Comp a lot, and it meters quite well.
Perhaps the next generation of powder will combine this feature, in addition to temperature stability.
If this lives up to the claims the uses of this tech are vast and will change the shooting world and small arms forever. From a military point of view this is huge. After a long day of exercises or running a sfbcc (or even the S course) for a few weeks the daily fouling after a couple thousand rounds is less than fun to scrub out. Truly exciting news for those who like to shoot more than clean. Kudos Hodgdon
Does this change the friction in the bore at all? (does it act like a lube similar to hbn, or create a squeaky clean (ans sticky) bore.)?
Just curious….
The whole intersting questions pended, look at the past applications on this powder, We know its a released Military powder that rated on the burn chart just below Hodgdon Bl-c2 (1) anti fouling = anti fouling and flash suppression (2), All standard miltiary powders must pass temp variations tests so it should be stable at multi temps (3). With all of these taken into concideration, My bet is this is SMP 846 released for comsumer use since it has been now avialible on surplus supply houses for several months. Loading SMP 846 with 175 Sierra MK for a cartridge company, I was getting 2750-2750 with a 30 inch match barrel with 41.5 grs, They list 49 grs max load, which exceeds safe load in quickload for the bl-c2 in the red zone. CFE223 is SMP 846 or similar powder in a new wrapper and pumped to hype it up. I have loaded all ranges from 223,6.8SPC, 22-250,308, 270 win and o6 with smp 846 with great results.
For all the beachrest shooters, I have recently tested similar powder in 6mm Norma BR with outstanding speed and Accuracy out of a Cooper arms rifle, It was abit to slow for the 220 swift out of a Dakota classic 76 with a 30 inch stainless custom barrel, but would still hold 1/2 inch groups @100 yards
@Tactical Edge Shooting Solutions
After mentioning BL-C(2) it reminded me that I had forgot to look at the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for propellant formulation of Hodgdon’s (well St Marks Powder’s, aka General Dynamics) spherical powders. Along with BL-C(2), CFE 223 is listed along with their other spherical propellants.
After checking through the potential components list, tin dioxide shows up, a decoppering agent. There are also three undisclosed ‘secret’ components, though as they are deemed non-toxic/-hazardous, they are not listed. Whether it’s tin oxide or another decoppering agent, it is clear that they have used tin oxide before.
You mentioned flash suppressants, there are two listed, there being potassium nitrate and sulphate. The use of the latter sometimes results in the eggy smell of hydrogen sulphide in the propellant combustion gases.
@ Tactical Edge
Where are you getting anything that 846 is CFE? More specifically that it has the copper fouling eliminating properties.
Was asking that exact question, not saying it is 846. This powder is just above Bl-c2 on a burn chart, 846 is a military powder of choice for many loads, was wondering it anyone closer to the manufacturers powder chart see it as close to 846. I can with first hand knowledge that at least one manufacturer uses 846 for .308 rapid fire cartridges, in fact swears by it for all of their .308 / 7.62 cartridges. was pending a question of anyone who actually got the speeds I keep hearing about out of a 20inch 308 with any weight projectile above 150grs. looks like Niel has the data and answered some of the questions. Now we need some realy world Chrono data.
By the way Thank you Neil for the comparision for us.