I was working up loads in 223 with CFE223 using my favorite bullet, the Hornady Varminter in 60 grains. I also was trying to improve on my best two IMR 8208 loads with the same bullet but a shorter OAL. Well the CFE loads are coming along but need tweaking but I struck gold with the 8208 ones.

All targets are 5 rounds from a sandbag rest. Just gotta love it when you find the sweet combination.

Not bad for 25 yards, MacD. Or do you use meters up there?

Oh, I blew up the image and saw this was 100 meters. Nice, MacD. What velocity were you getting with the 8208 and CFE?

Pretty nice groups! It sure is fun when your own handloads do good.

I love 8208. I would be curious as to your velocity too. I run 77 grain match bullets over 23.2 grains with no pressure issues at 2750 fps.

My previous for the two loads was avg. 2746 and 2751. Unfortunately there was a slight mist falling while I was shooting and my chrono was getting wet so I put it under cover and as a result no velocities . These were my first CFE reloads and 26.6 grains is near max. Hodgdon lists 26.7 at 3176 fps but I always find I am well below their specs. I usually do better with a mid-range load although the 8208 loads are right out of the book and are start and 0.5 above. My max OAL to lands with the Varminter is 2.351 so I started my first loads out a bit from the book specs. This has usually meant a more accurate load but not in this case.

I am hoping to get out again this week and I will report velocities assuming my chrono and the weather co-operate.

very tidy groups. thats a very dead varmit!!!

Minute of Eyeball! Yes!

Oops I made a small error. The brass was Lake City 1x fired and FL sized.

Still Minute of Eyeball! Yes!