H335 and CFE223 ?

CFE223 is significantly slower. About like BL-C(2), which is really a .308/7.62 powder more than a 223 powder. On Hodgdon's burn rate chart, H335 is #82, and CFE223 is #105, in order of decreasing burn rate with higher number. Look at the load data on Hodgdon's site and in some instances it takes 20% more to reach the same pressure. It is a newer powder that also has an additive to reduce copper fouling.
 
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The reason I ask is because I have a significant amount of H335 but I cannot get it to shoot as accurate as the CFE223. I am load 223 for my AR. Is there any way to figure out how much H335 would be equivalent to 27.3 of CFE223 ?
 
rebs said:
Is there any way to figure out how much H335 would be equivalent to 27.3 of CFE223?
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Kinda sorta. It can be estimated from Hodgdon's site data for their test powder lots in their test barrel with their choice of bullet that most closely matches your bullet weight. Whether that will fly in your gun or not, I can't promise, but I have an exponential calculation in an Excel file that would give you a sort of crude range to work up to. But the answer does vary with bullet weight, so without that information, I can't begin.
 
The reason I ask is because I have a significant amount of H335 but I cannot get it to shoot as accurate as the CFE223. I am load 223 for my AR. Is there any way to figure out how much H335 would be equivalent to 27.3 of CFE223 ?
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Rebs,
your did not identify what grain bullet you are working with. I have found H335 to be an exceptional powder for 55gr bullets, but dismal for heavier bullets like SMK 69/77gr bullets.

I have had really good results with 24.9gr H335, pushing a Hornady 55gr VMAX.
 
I agree with the above poster, use your h335 for your 55gr plinking or even target ammo and save the CFE for your heavier long range ammo.
 
I just started using H-335 and started out with 55gr bullets . H-335 has got me over the 3000fps mark out of a 16" barrel for the first time . Not looking at my notes but I want to say 25.5gr gave me an avg of 3006fps and a 1moa group .

I'm glad this post came up because I was going to see how it did with the heavier bullets . Now I think I'll save the cost of bullets and powder and not bother . I have some very accurate loads with IMR 4895 & 4064 using 69gr & 77gr bullets so the need for another powder for the heavy bullets is really not there . The only reason I tried H-335 was to have a better metering powder . It throws a charge much more consistent then either 4895 or 4064 . That really speeds up the load process .
 
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I am also very stubborn to stop using 4064. Even though I know there very well may be better options, I just like it and its always available and its good across many calibers old and new. But I do hear the CFE is the perfect choice for mid-heavy bullets like 69gr. If I knew I could consistently find it, I would consider switching, but I have only ever boughtg one pound of CFE, used it on win 64gr PP, it was a decent load but the bullets were inconsistent so I can't give a final say on the powder.
 
"I have found H335 to be an exceptional powder for 55gr bullets,"

That's what works for me, also. I don't load heavier bullets since I don't have much need for those.
 
I load 55 gr bullets for my AR. 27.3 of CFE223 gives me great accuracy, better than H335. But I have a lot of H335 and am trying to get it to shoot as accurate as the CFE223 powder.
Has anyone chronoed CFE223 loads with 55 gr bullets that would post the results ?
 
Load data for H335 powder in 223 is readily available in print from many sources and readily available online from a great number of reputable sources.
I can't think of any combination of powder and caliber where there would be more data available.
 
I have the data in my reloading manual, I was just asking if anyone had compared both powders. Like I said I cannot seem to get H335 to shoot as accurate and CFE223.
 
Personally, my experience and opinion of the two powders has been nearly the opposite of yours. CFE 223 will perform better the longer your barrel is and the heavier the bullet you use. My thoughts are that CFE 223 is right on the verge of being too slow of a powder to even use in 223.
 
Personally, my experience and opinion of the two powders has been nearly the opposite of yours. CFE 223 will perform better the longer your barrel is and the heavier the bullet you use. My thoughts are that CFE 223 is right on the verge of being too slow of a powder to even use in 223.
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One of my best loads is with 27.3 gr of CFE223 in a LC case, std primer, and a 55 gr Hornady Soft point seated to 2.230. This load shoots under an inch at 100 yds.
 
UncleNick is right as usual - H335 is burns faster than CFE223.

Based upon my data with my CZ 527 .223 Varmint CFE223 holds it own against H335 with the bullets the CZ shoots best.
CFE223 burns cleaner but requires more powder to get the same velocity.
Using Berger # 22408 flat base bullets seated at 2.260 OAL in the CZ's 24 inch barrel, H335 uses 24.0 grains of powder to achieve 3103 fps and CFE223 requires 26.4 grains to achieve 3106 fps.

The measured accuracy for my CZ 527's favorite 52 and 53 grain bullets is as follows:

CFE Powder:
52 gr Sierra SMK # 1410 boat tail - average 0.440 for 31 groups (best load .0399 @ 3268 fps)
52 gr Berger flat base # 22408 - average .339 for 31 groups (best load 0.251@ 3268 fps)
53 gr Sierra SMK # 1400 flat base - average .373 for 37 groups (best load 0.226 @ 3090 fps)

H335
52 gr Sierra SMK # 1410 boat tail - average 0.421 for 62 groups (best load .0314 @ 2950 fps)
52 gr Berger flat base # 22408 - average .441 for 21 groups (best load 0.206 @ 3268 fps)
53 gr Sierra SMK # 1400 flat base - average .366 for 44 groups (best load 0.227 @ 3222 fps)

My best results have been with N133 powder (closer in burning rate to H335 than to CFE223):
52 gr Sierra SMK # 1410 boat tail - average 0.384 for 31 groups (best load .0.226 @ 3090 fps)
52 gr Berger flat base # 22408 - average .261 for 70 groups (best load 0.175@ 3508 fps)
53 gr Sierra SMK # 1400 flat base - average .357 for 111 groups (best load 0.220 @ 3150 fps)

I have also shot CFE233 with my 1:8 twist Les Baer .223 but only with 69 and 77 grain bullets.
I tried a few test rounds with H335 but it didn't perform well with the heavier bullets. I also had some troubles with the fast H335 powder cycling the action so I didn't pursue testing the H335 with the Les Baer.

CFE223 shot 69 and 77 grain bullets well but N140 and Reloader 15 did better. CFE223's best results for 5 round groups was with Berger Match Tactical # 22201 77 grain bullets averaging 0.381 @ 2675 fps.
N140 averaged 0.373 with the same bullet with a best load of 0.296 @ 2812 fps.
N140's best result was with Sierra Tipped Match King 69 grain bullets averaging 0.283 with a best load of 0.249 at 2762 fps.
CFE223 could only manage 0.489 @ 2714 for the 69 TMKs.
CFE223 is a very versatile powder
 
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