Benchmark vs. CFE 223

S

Stats Shooter

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Interesting story. So as I have mentioned in previous threads, I like to use CFE.223 for heavier bullets and Benchmark for lighter bullets lately. Lately I have been using that concept making batches in both calibers in several different guns. I have a saiga.308, a Ruger SR 762 for .308's, and in .223 I have a Stag model 2 highly customized, and a Ruger SR 556 varmint stainless steel bull barrel......
Anyway I made a batch of .308 using Benchmark Powder and 147 grain FMJ'S as plinking rounds for my AK. I was pleased to find that the 43 grain Benchmark load, seated to mag length, shot 1/2 moa groups at 200 yards out of my Ruger SR 762 which is about 1 moa better than my red dot AK.
I also have a load using 165 gr Sierra game kings using CFE powder grouping cold barrel out of my Ruger 762 at around 3/4 moa but a very high velocity of 2700fps out of a 16" barrel.

What is interesting though is once the barrel/ chamber gets warm, the Groups for my 165 gr Sierra load open up to about 1.5 -1.75 moa.....not a big deal in a hunting load as I'll never fire warm barrel at an elk, hog or deer. Since I haven't owned the Ruger very long, I assumed it was the gun and that when warm it isn't quite the rack driver as it is cold.
Well..... My 147 grain fmj's using Benchmark Powder shoot sub moa with even a HOT barrel/chamber out of the same gun.

So i tested some CFE powder vs Benchmark Powder loads out of hot AR 15's I have. Sure enough the 55 grain BTFMJ 's loaded with Benchmark really weren't effected much by hot chamber/barrel groups while the CFE was by about 1/2 moa going from 1/2 moa to 1 moa and the point of impact moving up almost an inch at 100 yards.

I still like CFE for some uses such as hunting loads because I can get great velocity and solid accuracy. But it appears I'll need to change powders for warm barrel shooting .... especially since I can't get near the velocity out of Benchmark.
 
That makes sense. Benchmark is one of the Hodgdon Extreme line, which all have a special low temperature sensitivity formulation, while CFE223 is not. Denton Bramwell did some testing to show that barrel temperature had more effect than ambient temperature does on ammunition, so that fits as well.
 
Well, one thing it ensures is that I won't be making any target loads anymore using CFE....it seems to be more sensitive than many of the Alliant powders. ....and I'm kicking myself because I said 4 years ago I won't be using anything but extreme powders due to stuck cases on hot days but idiots like me need to be told twice sometimes.
 
For .223 and .308 Benchmark and CFE 223 is a good powder, but like you have said CFE does have issues with temp sensitivity. Benchmark does not. Also if you want accurate loads that are also temp stable. Myself and many people I know use Varget in .223 and .308, but this past year I find myself using IMR 8208 in semi auto .223, .308, 6.5 Grendel, .30 Rem AR, and 7mm Valkyrie.

IMR 8208 hasn't been the highest velocity loads I've ever loaded, but its been very accurate and temp stable with different weather conditions. Its also much easier to find in my area than Varget has been.
 
jt8769594 said:
I use variety in 223

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This dam phone! Varget in 223
CarJunkieLS1 said:
For .223 and .308 Benchmark and CFE 223 is a good powder, but like you have said CFE does have issues with temp sensitivity. Benchmark does not. Also if you want accurate loads that are also temp stable. Myself and many people I know use Varget in .223 and .308, but this past year I find myself using IMR 8208 in semi auto .223, .308, 6.5 Grendel, .30 Rem AR, and 7mm Valkyrie.

IMR 8208 hasn't been the highest velocity loads I've ever loaded, but its been very accurate and temp stable with different weather conditions. Its also much easier to find in my area than Varget has been.
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Benchmark is expensive, but I've found it accurate and not temp sensitive.
.223 @ 100 yards will produce 10 round groups I can cover with a dime or nickle regularly.
Plenty good for prairie dogs.
 
I use Benchmark in .223 and .45/70.

Never got a good enough load for my taste in .308, but it's hands down great in the 2 calibers I run it in.
 
Apparently, Varget just a slight bit more accurate in my .308
Not enough the normal person would notice,
My buddy got one of those computer programs that scan the targets and finds things the normal human might not recognize,
Said Varget was slightly more accurate.
I honestly can't tell the difference between the two with a naked eye.
 
My Go-To powders

My go to powders for my rifles historically have been.
Benchmark: Light .223 and .308
Varget: Heavy .223 and .308
H1000: .300 win mag 180-200 grain bullets
H4831: .270 win 130 grain bullets
Retumbo: .338 LM 300 grain SMK's

HS:6 or Longshot for 40 S&W
Longshot for .44 Mag

I tried CFE, Alliant Powders, Win, and a few IMR's but I shoot in such a wide variety of weather conditions, hot, cold, windy wet etc. that temp stability is an issue for me. Develop a load at 60 degrees and then go try it a 10 below zero with a 25 below windchill or take it out to the desert on a 95 degree day and things are WAYYYYY different.
It is possible that I am missing out on 1/4 moa or 100fps in velocity somewhere due to my hangup's with regard to temperature. But at least I know that the load I developed in the spring isn't going to result in stuck cases or pierced primers in the summer AND will shoot well hot/cold barrel.

So now I only use extreme powders, I tried CFE, it was ok, but not stable enough for me...different strokes for different folks I guess.
 
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