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Posted: 12/20/2013 1:31:30 PM EDT
| I recently bought Hodgdon CFE 223 powder. I have been looking for load data for this powder in .223/5.56. My Sierra Manual does not list this powder. My Manual is quite old however, it is Edition 5, 2nd Printing. Thinking I needed a more updated version I bought what I was told was the latest version at a local gun shop. It is also Edition 5, but it is 7th Printing. Will it be different and show me the newer powders, such as Hodgdon CFE 223, or is it just a reprint of the one that I have? It is still wrapped in plastic, therefore returnable, I think if I open it I might not be able to. |
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Hodgdon lists pretty comprehensive load data for their powders on their website.
I would look there first before opening that manual. You may not need it. Now, maybe there is no data for the bullets that you want to use on Hodgdon's website, and maybe there is in that manual that you bought. I don't know, but I do know I would Google Hodgdon's website before making a decision. |
| I have checked out Hodgdon's web site. It shows 2 bullets in 55 grain weight, neither are my type. I am shooting the Hornady 55gr FMJ. I also like to refer to more than one source for my data. They vary quite a bit at times. Thanks for the advice, though. It really was helpful. |
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Quoted:
I recently bought Hodgdon CFE 223 powder. I have been looking for load data for this powder in .223/5.56. My Sierra Manual does not list this powder. My Manual is quite old however, it is Edition 5, 2nd Printing. Thinking I needed a more updated version I bought what I was told was the latest version at a local gun shop. It is also Edition 5, but it is 7th Printing. Will it be different and show me the newer powders, such as Hodgdon CFE 223, or is it just a reprint of the one that I have? It is still wrapped in plastic, therefore returnable, I think if I open it I might not be able to. Always go to the source first. http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp Besides Sierra data is not pressure tested and is the last data source I would trust. |
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Quoted:
I have checked out Hodgdon's web site. It shows 2 bullets in 55 grain weight, neither are my type. I am shooting the Hornady 55gr FMJ. I also like to refer to more than one source for my data. They vary quite a bit at times. Thanks for the advice, though. It really was helpful. You must be looking at a different Hodgdon site than I. Their on-line data lists 4 different 55gr bullets. You will never find load data that matches all your components exactly, never. Don't even try, ain't gunna happen. That said, it is perfectly acceptable and safe to use load data with Same Weight Bullet of Similar Construction from different manufacturers and design. Use Hodgdon data for the 55gr SPR SP, you will be fine. Start low and work up. If you are using the Hornady 55gr bullet, why are you searching Sierra manuals for you specific bullet? |
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steve is correct.
Isn't there load data right on the powder container? Most newer Hodgdon bottles I have seen have data on them. Since that powder is basically for .223 and 55gr bullets are very popular in the .223 I would think there would be data on the container for that bullet weight. |
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Quoted: I have checked out Hodgdon's web site. It shows 2 bullets in 55 grain weight, neither are my type. I am shooting the Hornady 55gr FMJ. I also like to refer to more than one source for my data. They vary quite a bit at times. Thanks for the advice, though. It really was helpful. What you do is substitute like components (55 gr bullets in this case), begin loading at the start load and work up watching for pressure signs. You will very seldom find the exact components listed in any reloading data. Return that unopened manual. Hornady 9 has 223 CFE 223 data.
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Quoted:
I have checked out Hodgdon's web site. It shows 2 bullets in 55 grain weight, neither are my type. I am shooting the Hornady 55gr FMJ. I also like to refer to more than one source for my data. They vary quite a bit at times. Thanks for the advice, though. It really was helpful. My Hornady 9th edition list CFE 223 with a start load of 24.8gr and a max load of 27.4gr. This is for the 55gr FMJ BT, item number 2267. As mentioned above a few times, start low and work up your load. ETA, I use three data books, I use the Lee, Sierra and Hornady books. But before I check the books I look at the powder makers web site if they have the data on line. If the powder makers start load is lower, I will use it to start. |
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ETA, I use three data books, I use the Lee, Sierra and Hornady books. But before I check the books I look at the powder makers web site if they have the data on line. If the powder makers start load is lower, I will use it to start. Just so you know, Lee data is just a copy of the Powder Manufacturer's data only old. |
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Remember that powder just came out this year, most reloading manuals are at minimum a couple of years old, they were written before that powder was even on the market. Hodgdon's online info is great, they also put together what they call their "Annual Manual" in magazine format, it lists all their latest stuff, the new edition 2014 just came out. Its usually available from Midway and WalMart usually has it in their magazine racks. Looks like Midway is sold out right now. http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/hodgdon-2014-annual-manual-go-source-reloading/ |
| With most bullets all you need is the charge data for the weight of the bullet not the design. However, don't use lead data for jacketed, don't use jacketed for lead, and be dang sure you don't use all copper, ie TTSX, data for anything else. COAL etc will be determined by your firearm or in the case of most .223 FMJ, the location of the cannelure will dictate the OAL |
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Quoted:
Just so you know, Lee data is just a copy of the Powder Manufacturer's data only old. Quoted:
ETA, I use three data books, I use the Lee, Sierra and Hornady books. But before I check the books I look at the powder makers web site if they have the data on line. If the powder makers start load is lower, I will use it to start. Just so you know, Lee data is just a copy of the Powder Manufacturer's data only old. After comparing it with the web sites of the powder makers I figured that out. I put all the loads from the web sites and books into a note book for all the powders I use. After cross checking the Lee data it was obvious that it was just copies from the powder makers. It is nice to have it all in one book like the Lee book has though. |
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Quoted:
I recently bought Hodgdon CFE 223 powder. I have been looking for load data for this powder in .223/5.56. My Sierra Manual does not list this powder. My Manual is quite old however, it is Edition 5, 2nd Printing. Thinking I needed a more updated version I bought what I was told was the latest version at a local gun shop. It is also Edition 5, but it is 7th Printing. Will it be different and show me the newer powders, such as Hodgdon CFE 223, or is it just a reprint of the one that I have? It is still wrapped in plastic, therefore returnable, I think if I open it I might not be able to. Grab the new Hodgdon 2014 Annual Manual, on gun magazine shelves now. Hodgdon is introducing their CFE Pistol stuff in this edition. There are all sorts of CFE 223 recipes in there. |
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