CFE Pistol, questionable results

[Ferrum]

I have always been a die hard Bullseye fan for 9mm (over 20 years same recipe). I recently acquired a fair amount of CFE pistol and thought I would give it a try. The results have me scratching my head, so I thought I would run it by everyone and get some feedback...

9mm
124g Extreme RN
Mixed brass
Fed SPP
COL 1.130"
Light crimp

I loaded 10 rounds at 4.6, 4.8, 5.0, 5.2 each.

I shot 5 from each for accuracy. I wouldn't have called the groups great, especially when compared to my usual BE loads. As far as accuracy, the 5.2g had the best group.

I then ran the remaining 5 from each through the chronograph (fired out of G19). Results are as follows:

4.6- SD 15.2, AVG 1091.3 (1107, 1096, 1069, 1099, 1082)
4.8- SD 20.5, AVG 1074 (1100, 1060, 1057, 1061, 1094)
5.0- SD 15.9, AVG 1023 (1040, 1008, 1009, 1019, 1040)
5.2- SD 12.7, AVG 1045 (1053, 1042, 1029, 1034, 1048, 1063 (yes 6 this string))

So, I wasn't sure if my reloading was off, or if I was having a chronograph issues, or what, so I grabbed 3 of by BE loads and ran them through the chronograph. Of the 3 BE loads all three were within 9 FPS of each other (mixed brass, same primers and same length).

All of my test loads were individually weighed out to make sure they were dead on...

What's the problem? Are me and CFE not meant to be together? Anyone had the same issue? How much does my load very from what your using?

[FromTheGrave]

Might be a little low charge.

I had good results with 5.4 - 5.7 gr. and went with 5.4.

Loading xtreme 124gr 1.125" oal in Win brass.

Edit to Add: WSP Primers and also fired from G19

[Ferrum]

Might be a little low charge.

I had good results with 5.4 - 5.7 gr. and went with 5.4.

Loading xtreme 124gr 1.125" oal in Win brass.

Edit to Add: WSP Primers and also fired from G19

Funny you say that. I asked another person about these results and he said the same thing. I believe he loads at 5.8g? The reason I chose the loads I did, was the published load data had 124g lead at 4.0 to 4.7 and 124 FMJ at 4.7 to 5.3.

[mulyhuntr]

Did you accidently get your rounds mixed up?

[Ferrum]

Did you accidently get your rounds mixed up?

I wondered that when I saw the results. I don't believe I did and I will go as far as saying that I am 99% confident that my system didn't fail for keeping track of loads.

[ThatFishGuy]

From what I understand, that powder doesn't do as well loaded to that low of a density. Need to fill the case a bit more for consistent results. Just what I've read though. ..

[AGunNut2]

Article in current Hogdon Annual magazine on loading 9mm for accuracy shows 5.2-5.5 CFE Pistol for several 124 JHPs. No lead loads listed though.

[Ferrum]

Article in current Hogdon Annual magazine on loading 9mm for accuracy shows 5.2-5.5 CFE Pistol for several 124 JHPs. No lead loads listed though.

I actually just bought this last weekend. I'll look through it... I have been relying on last years magazine (was the issue introducing CFE pistol) and it lists much lighter loads.

I think overall, what I'm hearing, is that the charge may be a bit too low.

[FromTheGrave]

Yeah, Ferrum try that 5.4 load. It's made me happy.

Although, being a Bullseye user (I use Titegroup preferably with similar low charge weight) when I put 5+ grains in a 9mm case, I know the feeling. The eye starts twitching, sweat starts forming on the brow as the sunken feeling of all those rounds you won't be able to load per pound start weighing on your mind.

[glock7]

I didn't like cfe, but at the time that was all that was available. I got those same kinds of results.