03-02-2020, 03:00 PM
I have not tried any CFE223 but I found great accuracy and velocity with IMR 8208 with the 120 PH as well as the Gold Dot. With the PH in MY RIFLES the MAX load of 28.5 grs IMR 8208, Hornady case, CCI 450 COAL 2.250 is the ticket. Average velocity in 18" right at 2550 fps. I killed a deer with this bullet this season. Shot was about 60 yards off hand. Bullet hit about 1 1/2" higher than I intended in the shoulder as the deer stood broad side. Bang flop. Bullet did not exit the off side because after penetrating the scapula it hit the vertebra then smashed into the off side scapula. I found no bullet or saw any fragments in my limited quick look. It was cold and windy and I was tired so I did a gutless butchering in a hurry. From previous usage of the 120 PH in my 6.5x55 I imagine at the 2400ish fps impact velocity to that much bone that the core separated from the jacket which would have fully expanded and parts may have broken off. It is untelling how many deer I have killed with the 120 PH from point blank to a tad over 500 yards. It is a deer killer and it reacts like most Sierra hunting bullets do in any caliber. Put the lighter for caliber ones through the shoulders at medium to high velocity for caliber and they usually exhibit what I described. Lots of times you will just find the jacket fully expanded under the hide on the off side. Put the same bullet through the chest behind the shoulder you will get an exit most of the time. Dear are just as dead as any other bullet will do tough.