CFE and compressed loads

[45r]

I have to go no higher than 31 grains with 123 SSTs at a COL of 2.237 or the powder seems to be getting compressed.
I'm getting sub MOA with this load using rem primers and 2460 fps average and low ES.Should I stick with this load.
I've gone up to 31.8 grains at COL 2.250 but I'm thinking maybe its compressed too much.
The groups are close but I'm only gained around 40 to 50 fps and higher ES.;

[NugginFutz]

45r

You said it yourself - Velocity curve is falling off, and ES is going up. You, sir, have discovered the edge of the envelope.

[LRRPF52]

What kind of load are you trying to develop?

Long range, or hunting? 2460fps with a 123gr is nothing to dismiss either. Run the ballistics on a 123gr at that speed and see what it gets you.

There's nothing wrong with compressing a load either, according to Hodgdon's, as long as the kernel spring-back doesn't push your projectile out slowly.

[45r]

What kind of load are you trying to develop?

Long range, or hunting? 2460fps with a 123gr is nothing to dismiss either. Run the ballistics on a 123gr at that speed and see what it gets you.

There's nothing wrong with compressing a load either, according to Hodgdon's, as long as the kernel spring-back doesn't push your projectile out slowly.

I mainly want the SST's for hunting.
Good to know it's OK to compress it some.
I thought 31 grains is good enough and easier on brass and bolt.
The only problem with 31 grains is the ejection is not very strong and a couple times on the last shot the brass stayed on top of the mag instead of ejecting.
It locks back.
Maybe I need to go with a H buffer.
I've tried a H-1 and H-2.
Other powders work fine on ejection.

[mseric]

I mainly want the SST's for hunting.
Good to know it's OK to compress it some.
I thought 31 grains is good enough and easier on brass and bolt.
The only problem with 31 grains is the ejection is not very strong and a couple times on the last shot the brass stayed on top of the mag instead of ejecting.
It locks back.
Maybe I need to go with a H buffer.
I've tried a H-1 and H-2.
Other powders work fine on ejection.

Does the gun cycle properly with Less than 31gr?

If so your rifle is telling you something.

[45r]

It does it with lower loads.
Maybe I need to install a stronger ejector spring or do some more smoothing on the claw.
It ejects good with the 85 HP.
I got some AR Comp.
Maybe that will work better for my 123 SSTs.

[Drifter]

The only problem with 31 grains is the ejection is not very strong and a couple times on the last shot the brass stayed on top of the mag instead of ejecting.
It locks back.

I would think the opposite with that CFE charge and those symptoms, that it's cycling excessively strong (despite failure to eject).

I got some AR Comp.
Maybe that will work better for my 123 SSTs.

AR-Comp has been very accurate for me, and it cycles the action very smoothly. Though it won't produce velocities as high as CFE, AR-Comp is easily my favorite powder in the Grendel.

[45r]

I pulled my extracter and ejector,went over the corners with an india stone,then a ceramic stone and polished it up good.
No burrs or sharp edges to hang on the brass too long.
Put an extra strength wolf extracter spring in it also.
Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but it ejects real good manually.
Think my stock spring was too light.
Going back to a H-2 buffer.
Measured where my 95 grain V-max stops and they came out with a COL of 2.185.
I'm going to try them with the AR comp seated 2.180.
If they shoot as good as the 85HP's I'll go with them.
They got a higher BC.
I think the CFE loads will work good now with better ejection.

[LRRPF52]

Just realize that CFE will not work with the projectiles that have shorter bearing surfaces, and are under a certain weight. I know it didn't work for me with the 107gr SMK, and Bwild97 had similar results with the 100gr A-MAX...velocity all over the place.

Your faster powders will do well with the 95gr V-MAX varmint load, as I think you already are well aware. What barrel length and gas system length do you have?

[45r]

Mid length gas on 18 inch barrel.
Going to use CFE with 123s only.