CFE BLK powder

[webcruzzer]

Has any one tried the new cfe blk powder for 300 blackout?? I just received a 8 lbs jug from PV among other goodies. But I was wondering if anyone has used this powder yet and how were the results? I will be starting with 150gr fmjbt and will be getting heavier bullets as soon as I can score some for a good price.

[Jimi Jah]

Tell us if it burns cleaner, I usually use Varget.

[bigdawg86]

I was just researching this powder for subsonic use ... I use Lil Gun for my 150g FMJBT loads and got an average of 1985FPS of a 16" barrel. I long time ago I picked up some Palmetto Projectiles 203g powder coated lead bullets to try but couldn't get them to cycle. I was curious about the CFE BLK to use for subs in my Blackout pistol build... Those bullets are pretty cheap for 1k and that would make a great subsonic target round. Now if only I could get a supressor.

[webcruzzer]

The only way we will be able to get a suppressor is if shooting ranges open up near the liberal houses and have to listen to the "noise".

[dwalker]

I picked up a lb of it to try. I normally run my 300Blk supersonic even when it has the can on it, and have never really worked up any subsonic loads. For my 300Blk standard load I use a 125gr Speer TNT over H110 and its a super nice and accurate round. I use CFE223 and CFEPistol for .223 and 9mm loads, and they both shoot pretty clean.

[bigdawg86]

Tagging this thread. I only shoot supersonics and run 110-125's, so H110 is the optimal powder for me. I get the CFE part, but I don't get the numbers not showing the same performance in the spectrum I'm interested in. There are clearly better powders for subsonics, so why use this over H110? I'm interested to hear, I like CFE223 and I just picked up a pound of CFE Pistol even though it really makes no sense.

AA 1680 is number 68 on the burn chart and CFE BLK is 69... Isn't AA 1680 the go to for subs making this a decent comparison?

[dwalker]

My very preliminary opinion is this will be a good powder for throwing 125gr bullets in competition or hunting. The chamber pressure is pretty low at around 1950fps, which would make it a nice soft shooting load at a reasonable velocity.

I love CFEPistol, very consistent, meters well, and CLEAN.

[PatC415]

Yes, please let us know how clean it burns.
I'm a H110/Lil Gun/W296 guy, but it's SOOOOO dirty. 4227 as well.

[bigdawg86]

I'm not curious about this powder because its copper fouling eraser, or because it burns cleaner... But I am curious because it may increase brick and mortar availability of powder for the 300 Blackout

[dwalker]

I guess I'm just hot on CFE's for copper bullets, I loaded a ton of those cheap Copperheads in 556 and I hunt with Barnes 110's in 300 BLK. Highly compressed loads don't set well with me from Hodgdon's load data, which on H110 is conservative compared to Sierra's and Barne's (but not Nosler's).

Can't imagine using copper for subs, but as a Kalifornian I can't play that game to begin with. Can't imagine copper fouling from jackets being an issue in subs, anymore than in pistols, but again, not in that game.

I am not sure what bothers you, the CFE element is provided by the addition of bismuth in the powder that when the rifle is shot bonds with the copper in the bore, makes it brittle and the next shot causes it to break up and go right out the bore. I have Nosler and Hornady 77's and 75's that have been loaded over CFE223 for over a year and they still shoot fine.

[webcruzzer]

I loaded up some test rounds with the CFE BLK and started to install my 16" blackout barrel. Then found out that I dont have a pistol length gas tube. I thought I did but a I was mistaken. Parts are on order and in the mean time I will make more brass.

[bigdawg86]

I loaded up some test rounds with the CFE BLK and started to install my 16" blackout barrel. Then found out that I dont have a pistol length gas tube. I thought I did but a I was mistaken. Parts are on order and in the mean time I will make more brass.

I just picked up some CFE BLK to try... it will be here Wednesday since not a single store in the IE seems to have it (or AA1680).

I have a 16" rifle with a carbine gas port and a 8.5" pistol.
I have some palmetto projectiles 203g coated lead and some 220g SMK'sto try.

Would it make most sense to do the load testing for the 16" rifle? Seems as if it stays subsonic and functions the rifle, then the pistol should be fine too?

[tonyjr]

A lot will depend on pistol .
No knowing the twist , if a revolver or semi auto -
If the bullet spins too fast or leaves gun with too much pressure ,
tne pill / bullet came come apart .
I would contact Hodgdon with make and model of pistol and rifle -
I would do it by email - too easy to forget what they say and a lot
easier to look at email later .

[bigdawg86]

A lot will depend on pistol .
No knowing the twist , if a revolver or semi auto -
If the bullet spins too fast or leaves gun with too much pressure ,
tne pill / bullet came come apart .
I would contact Hodgdon with make and model of pistol and rifle -
I would do it by email - too easy to forget what they say and a lot
easier to look at email later .

When I say pistol... I am speaking of AR pistol. 1:8 twist. Pistol Gas port.
Considering 220g SMK's are for the 308 which is going to be more than 1000FPS faster than subsonic, I don't anticipate an issue.

[FLIGHT762]

Someone chime in who has a can of CFE BLK powder. See if it's marked where the powder is manufactured. If it's USA, I'd put money on it's SMP WC 680 with a bit of CFE added.