CFE123 or Varget, which one is more accurate for the 7mm-08?

[LVJ76]

So I have been thinking about trying out CFE223 on one of my 7mm-08's. I want to push the light 120gr, 139gr and 140gr bullets a little faster.

From what I've researched it gives about 50 to 80 more fps than Varget with the mentioned bullets. On this rifle I haven't tried Varget yet, and I am curious if I should try it, or try CFE223.

Lastly, how clean is CFE223? I think I've read it's pretty dirty, but not sure.

Please post your experience with the 7mm-08 or a similar cartridge like the 308 Win, 260 Rem, etc.

Thanks in advance

 

[Arapaho]

I shoot H4895 with 139 and 140 grain bullets. I did shoot some tight groups with H4350 and Varget with 150 and 154 grain bullets. The load with H4895 and 139 grain bullets is a hammer though so I stuck with it. Sorry for the rant but never tried CFE 223 in the 7mm-08.

 

[LVJ76]

I shoot H4895 with 139 and 140 grain bullets. I did shoot some tight groups with H4350 and Varget with 150 and 154 grain bullets. The load with H4895 and 139 grain bullets is a hammer though so I stuck with it. Sorry for the rant but never tried CFE 223 in the 7mm-08.

Thanks Arapaho, I've thought about H4895, just haven't seen many using it like I've seen with Varget. But looking at the load data it's right there with Varget, and with a couple of grains less of powder.

Thanks again

Luis

 

[Arapaho]

You're welcome! Try it, I think you will like it. I tried it because I shoot it in my long barreled 308 with 185 juggernauts and had plenty. After working a load and being ecstatic about the results, I found a few blogs on forums that other guys were using it with success. I can tell you that I get more speed out of my 308 with h4895 than I do with Varget. Don't get me wrong, I love Varget but with my 32 inch barrel on my match rifle, I get about 30 to 40 fps more in the node.

 

[Trm82]

They are both accurate but I think CFE will win in the velocity department. CFE is pretty awesome with 120 ttsx or BT. I used 120 ttsx and CFE223 in a 20.5" finnlight at 3240 FPS.
Varget would be more temp stable I'd say though.

 

[LVJ76]

You're welcome! Try it, I think you will like it. I tried it because I shoot it in my long barreled 308 with 185 juggernauts and had plenty. After working a load and being ecstatic about the results, I found a few blogs on forums that other guys were using it with success. I can tell you that I get more speed out of my 308 with h4895 than I do with Varget. Don't get me wrong, I love Varget but with my 32 inch barrel on my match rifle, I get about 30 to 40 fps more in the node.

So the list grew to 3 powders now LOL, thanks again.

They are both accurate but I think CFE will win in the velocity department. CFE is pretty awesome with 120 ttsx or BT. I used 120 ttsx and CFE223 in a 20.5" finnlight at 3240 FPS.
Varget would be more temp stable I'd say though.

It would be for hunting purposes and I wouldn't be using it in the summer here. Hunting temperatures would be between 40° and 75°, I doubt it would vary much. But Varget or H4895 would be more stable.

Thanks Trm

 

[Trm82]

So the list grew to 3 powders now LOL, thanks again.



It would be for hunting purposes and I wouldn't be using it in the summer here. Hunting temperatures would be between 40° and 75°, I doubt it would vary much. But Varget or H4895 would be more stable.

Thanks Trm

Perfect , I didn't worry about it either because it was my hunting load and I didn't shoot it in the summer either.
CFE sure does keep the copper out of the barrel also.

 

[Wedgy]

Varget would be more temp stable I'd say though.

CFE223 spiked up pressure in the summer heat for me in a .223 so if you shoot in the summer I would favor Varget

 

[WYOHTF]

So I have been thinking about trying out CFE223 on one of my 7mm-08's. I want to push the light 120gr, 139gr and 140gr bullets a little faster.

From what I've researched it gives about 50 to 80 more fps than Varget with the mentioned bullets. On this rifle I haven't tried Varget yet, and I am curious if I should try it, or try CFE223.

Lastly, how clean is CFE223? I think I've read it's pretty dirty, but not sure.

Please post your experience with the 7mm-08 or a similar cartridge like the 308 Win, 260 Rem, etc.

Thanks in advance

I cannot list any experiences with CFE223. In the other hand I have loaded for .308 based cartridges from .243 to .308.

I used to run W760 and IMR4064 in my .308 running.165gr. SST's until a friend turned me onto Varget, es/sd #'s dropped way down and the cartridge picked up a little velocity- win win.

In the both the 7mm-08 and it's A.I. version with the 139gr SST's I ran Varget as well as H4350 and H4895
Varget was as easy to load as either of them and I trusted the stability of the powder. There was actually no load work up other than the first ladder.

I've only ever loaded for one .260 and it was a load I duplicated for a friend off of someone else's data. The bullets were 140gr and the powder was IMR 4831. This is what lead me to try it in the .243

The .243 is a whole different subject. I run H4831sc in it with great results with 100gr bullets
I couldn't get Varget to work with the 100 gr bullets and have never loaded lighter.

If I had to pick 3 powders tomorrow I trust fire these cases and they were available.
I would pick in this order
1) Varget
2) H4350
3) H4895

I'm trying 6.5 Stabal now in a 7mm-08A.I. I hope it works. My Varget stock is low.
I want to try VV550 or V555 but I'm always lacking funds when I find some for some reason

I run on the warmer nodes. Find them at 100, then proof at 300 and 600.
All of this is just my experience with the .308 based cartridges, nothing more

 

[Texis]

Not 708, but about to load up both powders for 708. I've run a fair amount of both CFE223 and Varget in 308. The CFE223 is definitely faster, meters great and is consistent. Either will get you as tight as your barrel and projectile selection allows.
Work up the CFE223 loads in the summer. If they are developed at 90-95 degrees, you won't have seasonal problems. Down side is Velocity loss in cold temps.
If you plan to shoot the round at long ranges (500+) year around, use the Varget and sacrifice some velocity. If your shooting is under 400yds.. use the one that works the best in your rifle.

 

[Texis]

Adder..I run 45.1gr CFE223 / 168SMK and 43.5 Varget / 168 Classic Hunter & Barnes TTSX.

 

[jimbires]

RL17 will make the most velocity in the 7mm-08 , using 120 - 140 grain bullets . it does this with a good case fill % too .

in my 260 I use RL17 with 120 grain bullets . I use RL26 with 140 grain bullets .

in the 243 with 100grain bullets , I use IMR7828ssc

 

[LVJ76]

I cannot list any experiences with CFE223. In the other hand I have loaded for .308 based cartridges from .243 to .308.

I used to run W760 and IMR4064 in my .308 running.165gr. SST's until a friend turned me onto Varget, es/sd #'s dropped way down and the cartridge picked up a little velocity- win win.

In the both the 7mm-08 and it's A.I. version with the 139gr SST's I ran Varget as well as H4350 and H4895
Varget was as easy to load as either of them and I trusted the stability of the powder. There was actually no load work up other than the first ladder.

I've only ever loaded for one .260 and it was a load I duplicated for a friend off of someone else's data. The bullets were 140gr and the powder was IMR 4831. This is what lead me to try it in the .243

The .243 is a whole different subject. I run H4831sc in it with great results with 100gr bullets
I couldn't get Varget to work with the 100 gr bullets and have never loaded lighter.

If I had to pick 3 powders tomorrow I trust fire these cases and they were available.
I would pick in this order
1) Varget
2) H4350
3) H4895

I'm trying 6.5 Stabal now in a 7mm-08A.I. I hope it works. My Varget stock is low.
I want to try VV550 or V555 but I'm always lacking funds when I find some for some reason

I run on the warmer nodes. Find them at 100, then proof at 300 and 600.
All of this is just my experience with the .308 based cartridges, nothing more

Thanks WYOHTF, appreciate the input.

I've been using IMR-4064 with the 139gr SST and my wife uses it with the 120gr Ballistic Tip, I'm running low now and been thinking about upgrading powder, so that led to this thread.

H4350 work great with the 168gr Classic Hunters and RL16 in hers with the 162gr A-Max.

Varget didn't shoot well in a couple rifles but this one I haven't tried it on. Got some more thinking to do.

Thanks again

Luis

 

[Kansaswoodguy]

I've used probably 10lbs of CFE223 in 223 it's a fine powder as is Varget no experience with 7mm-08 so I can't speak to that