Hodgden CFE Pistol Debris...

B

Bravo1

New member
After months of reading, videos, rereading and more videos, I loaded my first set of bullets and went to the range to fire this evening.

Taurus PT945 .45ACP
200 grain RN X-Treme bullet
6.5 grains Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder
Cases are once fired, by me, Winchester white box.

I made 20 rounds and manually chambered one bullet at a time to review the results of each fire.

After firing, I noticed there was burnt powder on the table, inside the barrel and along the inside of the slide.

During one firing after the case ejected, I felt like I was peppered in the face with the burnt powder too.

Is this normal for this type of powder and if not, should I be doing something different?

Thanks!
 
That doesn't sound normal.

All I can add is that I have run several pounds in a 124 gr 9mm at 5gr loading and find nothing more than smoke to wipe off.

The only thing that crosses my mind is possible the primers? Are they large or small primers? I have a bunch of both but haven't started loading them yet so I have no first hand feed back on this one other than the 9mm loading.

I am sure the experts will be in soon
 
You are just over the starting load for a 200 gr Gold Dot but a grain below the starting load for a 200 gr cast. You are not developing enough pressure and heat for a full burn.
Increase the load, change powder, or look at the sights, unburnt powder is not uncommon.
 
Certainly no expert on CFE and 45a. A quick search turned up a similar thread on THR. Seems the concensus they came to was that in 45a CFE needed to be pushed to near max loads for a complete burn. Might be too slow of a powder for you application.
 
I had the same thing occur to me with starting loads of Blue Dot in 40acp. It resolved itself somewhere around mid load if memory recalls. I ended up w/ the best performance just under 3/4 load. Watch for pressure signs and accuracy spread and work up to see if it shakes itself out.
 
Thanks for the info everyone.

I'll start working my load up .2 grains per 20 set until I find one that works.:D
 
I'm personally disappointed in CFE pistol and 200gr JHP . I did push them to max and still got sooty scorched cases . CFE pistol is #44 on Hodgdon's burn rate chart right around HS-6 and Auto comp . https://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Burn Rates - 2015-2016.pdf Pretty slow when using light for caliber bullets . I'd not use it unless shooting 230gr bullets . The slower burn rate can't chase the lighter faster bullet down the bore fast enough to keep the pressure up to optimally burn .

I've run across many guys that are fine with sooty slightly scorched cases . So yes upping your charge should get you a better burn but you will still end up with a pretty dirty round on the whole . FWIW I did find pretty accurate loads using it , they are just a tad dirtier then I'd prefer . I'd use it if I had to but don't so I don't :);)
 
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I was thinking of moving to 230. I got a free sample pack from Rainier Ballistics and may load a few to test out.

And the brass was definitely sooty and scorched when I compared them to factory loads.

I'd like to use Winchester 231 but can't find them in WA or OR.
 
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