CFE223 powder generates better velocities with 123gr class pills for me so far. I've tried N140, TAC, 8208XBR, and some others, and CFE has given me the best results by far, without pressure spikes. I pressure ladder tested it back in 2012 to see where it would trend for me for .3gr increments, working up while watching my chronogrpah very closely, and establishing a record of the trend per .3gr of powder.
At 60F, with 31.1gr loaded under the 123gr A-MAX to 2.275" COL, I'm at 2489fps.
31.4gr 2520fps
31.7gr 2532fps
32.0gr 2553fps
We think 31.9gr is the max load at just barely under 50,000psi based on extensive testing in a calibrated pressure test rifle. I've been very happy with my 31.2gr load, which pressure estimation puts at 46,235psi. That load is faster than the Hornady 123gr A-MAX factory load, which flies surprisingly well for me out to 1200yds from said little 16" carbine, no really. I honestly thought I had a solid little 700yd blaster for shooting steel that was easy to carry around and pack, but it really opened my eyes when I was challenged by some guys out shooting long range when they wanted to see if I could hit this 1200yd target that that they were nowhere near with much bigger rifles (They weren't applying any formal, repeatable long range trajectory compensation techniques, so performance was entertaining at best).
I haven't chrono'd this new 17.6" Lilja barrel, but I'm very happy with it in the weight and accuracy departments. I haven't worked up any hand loads for it either. I'm expecting to see very similar velocity from it, with 123gr in the 2500-2550fps region. I might be able to hit 2600fps, or just under, with a .510 BC pill G1 drag model.



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