Hodgdon CFE BLK part 3: Primers

Published on January 17, 2017
Duration: 39:01

This video provides a comprehensive primer test for Hodgdon CFE BLK powder in 300 Blackout. The instructor, with significant reloading and ballistics testing experience, evaluates six different primers across subsonic and supersonic loads using both 8.5-inch and 16-inch barrels. The analysis includes detailed velocity, standard deviation, and group size data, offering insights into primer performance with this specific powder.

Quick Summary

For Hodgdon CFE BLK powder in 300 Blackout, CCI #41, #400, and #450 primers are recommended. The CCI #400 excels in subsonic accuracy and low standard deviation, while the CCI #450 provides the lowest standard deviation for supersonic loads. The CCI BR4 primer showed poor performance and is not recommended for this powder.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction to CFE BLK Primer Test
  2. 00:32Primer Candidates for CFE BLK
  3. 01:15Federal AR Small Rifle Match Primer
  4. 01:35SNB 4.4 SR Primers
  5. 01:49CCI Primer Lineup
  6. 02:01CCI BR4 Bench Rest Primer
  7. 02:08CCI #400 Standard Small Rifle Primer
  8. 02:16CCI #450 Small Rifle Magnum Primer
  9. 02:46Loading Plan: Subsonic Rounds
  10. 03:42Testing 147 Grain M80 Bullets (Supersonic)
  11. 05:05Charge Weight for 147 Grain M80
  12. 05:29Loading Process and Brass Preparation
  13. 06:20Loading Progress Update
  14. 06:48Adjusting OAL for 147 Grainers
  15. 08:14Range Day Preparation
  16. 09:11Heading to the Range
  17. 09:288.5-inch Gun: Subsonic Testing Begins
  18. 09:44Federal AR Match Primer Test
  19. 10:15SNB Primers Test
  20. 10:51CCI BR4 Primer Test
  21. 11:11CCI #41 Primer Test
  22. 11:26CCI #400 Primer Test
  23. 11:44CCI #450 Primer Test
  24. 12:008.5-inch Gun: Supersonic Testing
  25. 12:11Federal AR Match Primer (Supersonic)
  26. 12:37SNB Primers (Supersonic)
  27. 13:08CCI BR4 Primers (Supersonic)
  28. 13:21CCI #41 Primers (Supersonic)
  29. 13:50CCI #400 Primers (Supersonic)
  30. 14:09CCI #450 Primers (Supersonic)
  31. 14:26Daylight Running Out, Packing Up
  32. 14:4016-inch Gun: Subsonic Testing
  33. 15:07Federal AR Match Primer (16-inch Subsonic)
  34. 15:41SNB Primers (16-inch Subsonic)
  35. 16:30CCI BR4 Primers (16-inch Subsonic)
  36. 17:00CCI #41 Primers (16-inch Subsonic)
  37. 17:40CCI #400 Primers (16-inch Subsonic)
  38. 18:03CCI #450 Primers (16-inch Subsonic)
  39. 18:2016-inch Gun: Supersonic Testing
  40. 18:32Federal AR Match Primer (16-inch Supersonic)
  41. 18:53SNB Primers (16-inch Supersonic)
  42. 19:14CCI BR4 Primers (16-inch Supersonic)
  43. 19:48CCI #41 Primers (16-inch Supersonic)
  44. 20:04CCI #400 Primers (16-inch Supersonic)
  45. 20:14CCI #450 Primers (16-inch Supersonic)
  46. 20:35Data Analysis and Conclusions
  47. 21:12Reviewing Collected Data
  48. 22:00Dismissing 147 Grain Bullet Results
  49. 23:56Analysis of 208 Grain ELD Match (8.5-inch)
  50. 25:32Analysis of 220 Grain Sierra Match King (16-inch)
  51. 26:48Group Size Overview
  52. 26:54Primer Performance Charts
  53. 28:00Interpreting Velocity and Standard Deviation
  54. 29:08Supersonic Load Analysis
  55. 30:41Overall Primer Velocity Trends
  56. 31:23Focusing on CCI #400 Performance
  57. 31:5316-inch Gun Primer Performance
  58. 32:48Supersonic Load Analysis (Charts)
  59. 33:36Overall Primer Recommendations
  60. 34:20Revisiting Groups with Chart Data
  61. 35:1316-inch Gun Group Review
  62. 35:48Velocity Data for 16-inch 147 Grain
  63. 36:16Final Primer Stack and Conclusion
  64. 36:19Eliminating BR4 Primers
  65. 36:33SNB Primer Considerations
  66. 37:15Federal AR Small Rifle Match Primer
  67. 37:31Top Primer Choices: 41, 400, 450
  68. 37:53Preference for Subs vs. Supers
  69. 38:11Usefulness of the Data
  70. 38:38Next Videos Preview

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best primers for Hodgdon CFE BLK powder in 300 Blackout?

Based on testing, CCI #41, #400, and #450 primers are recommended for Hodgdon CFE BLK in 300 Blackout. The CCI #400 showed excellent subsonic performance with good accuracy and low standard deviation, while the CCI #450 excelled in supersonic loads with the lowest standard deviation.

How did different primers affect velocity with Hodgdon CFE BLK in 300 Blackout?

Primer choice significantly impacted velocity. CCI #41 generally produced higher velocities in subsonics, while CCI #450 led in supersonics. Surprisingly, CCI #450 yielded lower subsonic velocities than standard primers in some tests. SNB primers consistently produced the lowest velocities across the board.

Which primers performed poorly with Hodgdon CFE BLK in 300 Blackout?

The CCI BR4 bench rest primer showed consistently poor performance in both subsonic and supersonic loads with Hodgdon CFE BLK. The instructor found it did not agree well with the powder in the tested firearms and recommended against its use for this specific powder and application.

What are the recommended charge weights for Hodgdon CFE BLK in 300 Blackout for subsonic and supersonic loads?

For subsonic loads, 12.3 grains of CFE BLK was used with a 208-grain ELD Match bullet (2.26" OAL) and 11.6 grains with a 220-grain Sierra Match King (2.26" OAL). For supersonic loads with a 147-grain M80 bullet, 20.4 grains was used, adjusted to a 2.65" OAL for near 100% case fill.

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