05-03-2015, 03:56 AM
In the spirit in which this thread was started, nearly 3 years ago, I would like to share the results of my first experience with CFE223 in my BHW 22" 264 LBC. While others have posted their CFE223 Grendel loads, I don't recall seeing one for a 264LBC chamber.
Conditions were nearly ideal for running a 200 yard OCW series, with a mild 75'F and a steady 5mph wind at my back. Rifle was on the Harris bipod, with a rear bag for fine adjustments. I had my Vortex PST dialed up to 24x, and could very easily resolve the 1" target stickers without mirage. In other words, I have absolutely no excuses for any of the operator flubs, of which I acknowledge a couple.
Load: 29.4 to 32.1 gr CFE 223, shot in Round Robin fashion.
Bullet: Hornady 123 gr A-Max, seated @ 2.260" COAL
Hornady cases with Remington 7 1/2 primers.
Disclaimer: Some of these loads went beyond what some have indicated as their maximum charge weights. As is always the case, you should approach published maximum loads in safe increments, starting at least 10% below them.
To the results:
As seen in the picture below, I found a couple of very promising accuracy nodes - one near 30.0 gr and another near 31.5.
![[Image: Slide1_zpsuni9wpsz.jpg]](http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae36/NugginFutz/BHW%20Load%20Workup/264%20LBC/Slide1_zpsuni9wpsz.jpg)
Maddeningly, the group @ 30.0 was a .1 MOA cloverleaf until shot #4, when I pulled it. Similar issues at 31.8 gr. Those pulled shots were all me. As I said, no excuses. Even still, they average out to a respectable .5 MOA.
I assembled the following chart to illustrate the Velocity curve.
![[Image: Slide2_zpsns4oz07l.jpg]](http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae36/NugginFutz/BHW%20Load%20Workup/264%20LBC/Slide2_zpsns4oz07l.jpg)
What does it mean? Aside from the aberration at 30.0 and 30.3, it shows a reasonable increase in velocity as the charge increases. No weirdness or scary spikes as I approached the max charge.
Lastly, since I was definitely running into compressed territory at 31.5 gr, I thought I would include some pics of the cases. What I would like to point out is how there are few, if any, visible indications of high pressures, flattened primers or bulging cases. Velocity curve seemed reasonable, as well.
![[Image: Slide3_zps8i6dlxmf.jpg]](http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae36/NugginFutz/BHW%20Load%20Workup/264%20LBC/Slide3_zps8i6dlxmf.jpg)
Temperature stability is the main concern I have. Once the temperatures get into the 90's, I'll check the upper charge ranges again (won't take long, around here).
Conditions were nearly ideal for running a 200 yard OCW series, with a mild 75'F and a steady 5mph wind at my back. Rifle was on the Harris bipod, with a rear bag for fine adjustments. I had my Vortex PST dialed up to 24x, and could very easily resolve the 1" target stickers without mirage. In other words, I have absolutely no excuses for any of the operator flubs, of which I acknowledge a couple.
Load: 29.4 to 32.1 gr CFE 223, shot in Round Robin fashion.
Bullet: Hornady 123 gr A-Max, seated @ 2.260" COAL
Hornady cases with Remington 7 1/2 primers.
Disclaimer: Some of these loads went beyond what some have indicated as their maximum charge weights. As is always the case, you should approach published maximum loads in safe increments, starting at least 10% below them.
To the results:
As seen in the picture below, I found a couple of very promising accuracy nodes - one near 30.0 gr and another near 31.5.
![[Image: Slide1_zpsuni9wpsz.jpg]](http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae36/NugginFutz/BHW%20Load%20Workup/264%20LBC/Slide1_zpsuni9wpsz.jpg)
Maddeningly, the group @ 30.0 was a .1 MOA cloverleaf until shot #4, when I pulled it. Similar issues at 31.8 gr. Those pulled shots were all me. As I said, no excuses. Even still, they average out to a respectable .5 MOA.
I assembled the following chart to illustrate the Velocity curve.
![[Image: Slide2_zpsns4oz07l.jpg]](http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae36/NugginFutz/BHW%20Load%20Workup/264%20LBC/Slide2_zpsns4oz07l.jpg)
What does it mean? Aside from the aberration at 30.0 and 30.3, it shows a reasonable increase in velocity as the charge increases. No weirdness or scary spikes as I approached the max charge.
Lastly, since I was definitely running into compressed territory at 31.5 gr, I thought I would include some pics of the cases. What I would like to point out is how there are few, if any, visible indications of high pressures, flattened primers or bulging cases. Velocity curve seemed reasonable, as well.
![[Image: Slide3_zps8i6dlxmf.jpg]](http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae36/NugginFutz/BHW%20Load%20Workup/264%20LBC/Slide3_zps8i6dlxmf.jpg)
Temperature stability is the main concern I have. Once the temperatures get into the 90's, I'll check the upper charge ranges again (won't take long, around here).

