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

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.

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

Thanks Texis.

I used to shoot 150gr Matchkings with IMR-4350 in my Silhouette 7mm-08 and always had to dial down at least 1 moa at 500m in the afternoon and the pressure went up and POI shifted 6 inches high. So yeah I'd rather avoid that with CFE223. Varget or H4895 are looking better. Again I won't be using it in the summer but, I'll provably be more comfortable with a stable powder.

Thanks again

Luis
 
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

Thanks Jim

I tried RL17 in this rifle with several bullets and it hasn't liked it. I was looking for more speed and so far no luck. I will try it with a couple more bullets and will see what happens.

Again thanks

Luis
 
I saw some
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
One of the things I wished I'd done differently is got an 8 twist barrel instead of a 9. I know now from reading on this forum that I've blamed certain powders for not working when it's been the twist and bullet selection.
 
I saw some
One of the things I wished I'd done differently is got an 8 twist barrel instead of a 9. I know now from reading on this forum that I've blamed certain powders for not working when it's been the twist and bullet selection.

I have a rifle I want to rebarrel and I've been thinking of doing a 7mm-08 AI with an 8 twist on it. Shoot heavy bullets on it or try some Hammers, but haven't decided yet on the bullets for it. Plan on setting this one up for my son for when he is older.

For hunting I'm running factory Rem 700's SPS and they shoot great, many complain about the quality but, I've had no issues with them. They still have some life left on them but will definitely get a faster twist when I rebarrel them as well.
 
I've got several Savage rifles, one cheapo Rem SPS ADL(tack driver) and a Tikka WSM action.
I went to the A.I. because I read Ken Jarrett's thoughts on them and it grabbed me.

Buying dies was the hardest part, glad I did it.
I went with Redding's. If I were to do it I would send some fired brass off to Hornady and have a set built. Lee will build them too, after they catch up.
 
Last edited:
I didn't list any with more than 111% case fill . I don't know how much of a compressed load you care to work with . I like to work at ,or under , 105% . CFE223 , looks like it would be worth a try , nice case fill , doesn't give up much velocity . also Win 760 / H414 looks like something to work with too .

powder , potential velocity at max (22"bbl), case fill at max . these powders all met MAX PSI
120 gr bullets .
RL17 , 3170 , 106.7%
RL16 , 3142 , 111.8%
accurate 4350 , 3114 , 111.1%
hunter , 3111 , 111.6%
N550 , 3110 , 108.2%
win 760 / H414 , 3106 , 105.6%
LVR , 3100 , 108.5%
CFE223 , 3100 , 100.8%
H380 , 3055 , 102.3%
varget , 3027 , 103.3%


140 gr bullets
RL17 , 2946 , 104.3%
RL16 , 2922 , 109.3%
Hunter , 2896 , 109.2%
WIN 760/ H414 , 2889 , 103.2%
Accurate 4350 , 2889 , 108.4%
N550 , 2887 , 105.6%
LVR , 2879 , 105.9%
CFE223 , 2879 , 98.4%
HYB100V , 2860 , 111.8%
Varget , 2803 , 100.9%
 
I have been using W760 for most 120-140 grain bullets. Good velocity and meters well but is a bit dirty and temperature sensitive. My friend loves varget in his 308 and refuses to try anything else!
 
I couldn't get H4895 to work in my 308 barrel? Maybe it will work in the 708 barrel I'm putting on my Frankin-Salvage 🙂.
 
I didn't list any with more than 111% case fill . I don't know how much of a compressed load you care to work with . I like to work at ,or under , 105% . CFE223 , looks like it would be worth a try , nice case fill , doesn't give up much velocity . also Win 760 / H414 looks like something to work with too .

powder , potential velocity at max (22"bbl), case fill at max . these powders all met MAX PSI
120 gr bullets .
RL17 , 3170 , 106.7%
RL16 , 3142 , 111.8%
accurate 4350 , 3114 , 111.1%
hunter , 3111 , 111.6%
N550 , 3110 , 108.2%
win 760 / H414 , 3106 , 105.6%
LVR , 3100 , 108.5%
CFE223 , 3100 , 100.8%
H380 , 3055 , 102.3%
varget , 3027 , 103.3%


140 gr bullets
RL17 , 2946 , 104.3%
RL16 , 2922 , 109.3%
Hunter , 2896 , 109.2%
WIN 760/ H414 , 2889 , 103.2%
Accurate 4350 , 2889 , 108.4%
N550 , 2887 , 105.6%
LVR , 2879 , 105.9%
CFE223 , 2879 , 98.4%
HYB100V , 2860 , 111.8%
Varget , 2803 , 100.9%

I see you mention H4895

140 gr bullet

H4895 , 2827 , 94.9%


120 gr bullet
H4895 , 3058 , 97.3%

Thanks again Jim.

I have a few of the powders you mentioned. RL16 is looking good for the 140gr class and I don't know why I didn't think of it.

Thanks again

Luia
 
I have been using W760 for most 120-140 grain bullets. Good velocity and meters well but is a bit dirty and temperature sensitive. My friend loves varget in his 308 and refuses to try anything else!

I thought about it also, and I have a pound of it, might save it as a last option if the other powders don't work

Thanks birddog
 
Top