Hodgdon CFE Pistol
We did not test "copper eraser" aspect of it because we don't care about that.  This powder is very similar in performance to Winchester Autocomp.  It does produce some of the highest velocities (+P+) on the market.   
new Xtreme Brass with ~12.72 Capacity.  There is no application to ever need this much powder in a case for 9MM.   

new Xtreme Brass with ~12.72 Capacity.
This is typical commercial load equivalent for +P ammo
Federal HS-T +P was same velocity

Hodgdon CFE Pistol
This is a flattened shrerical powder.  Its uses are mainly for high velocity loads we would summarize.  Looking closely at it, it doesn't look very spherical, it looks like a creek bed of pebbles.  Its fairly dense.  You can put more in a case than you would ever want.  This makes this powder potentially unsafe if you make a loading mistake.  In performance, it is similar to other top velocity powders, such as Winchester Autocomp, 3N37, or Silhouette.  Except versus the Sil & 3N37, it will need over a grain less to achieve similar velocity with this powder. 


If you are just learning how to reload 9MM, you do not want this powder, as you could accidentally put too much in a case and go far beyond book recommended pressures

So...what about CFE Pistol and what do some cases look like?
 
  • Starline Nickel Case 13.5 grn case cap.
  • CCI 500 Primer
  • 6.8 Grains
  • 1.100 OAL
  • 115 Grain Hornady HAP
  • 1350 FPS


  • Starline Nickel Case 13.5 grn case cap.
  • CCI 500 Primer
  • 6.5 Grains
  • 1.100 OAL
  • 115 Grain Hornady XTP
  • 1315 FPS


  • Winchester Case 13.25 grn case cap.
  • CCI 500 Primer
  • 6.5 Grains
  • 1.095OAL
  • 124 Grain Precision Delta HP
  • 1330 FPS


  • Winchester Case 13.25 grn case cap.
  • CCI 500 Primer
  • 5.5 Grains
  • 1.095OAL
  • 124 Grain Precision Delta HP
  • 1185 FPS


  • Winchester Case 13.25 grn case cap.
  • CCI 500 Primer
  • 6.6 Grains
  • 1.100OAL
  • 115 Grain Hornady HAP
  • 1370 FPS


  • Starline Nickel case cap. 13.50 grains
  • CCI 500 Primer
  • 5.7 Grains
  • 1.120OAL
  • 124 Grain Speer Gold Dot
  • 1175 FPS


Hodgdon CFE Pistol
Some of these loads are above any manufacturer data.  Load at your own risk.  What we load doesn't mean it will be safe for you. Do not load above recommended manufacturer book maximums.

We did not find this powder to be as accurate as its sister powder, WInchester Autocomp.  This is with a CZ P10c 4" barrel with standard sights @  5 yards. 

The middle, lower left load, of 115 grain @ 6.8 CFE is a +P+ load, but quite impressive.   If we could get more accuracy from this load, it would move up to be top tier.  But to complain about accuracy when all these groups are totally acceptable, especially for self defense or plate shooting, etc, is really not a valid complaint completely.  Its just picky.


Some of the loads we tried
Load at your own risk.  What we load doesn't mean it will be safe for you. Do not load above recommended manufacturer book maximums.

Included in light blue are several high performance Factory, commercial bought ammunition for reference

As we can see looking at the Lehigh 65 Xtreme Defender data...8.9 if CFE Pistol is just about the same as 9.9 of Silhouette in a similar case.  It is close to ~1 entire grain less and similar performance.  We just don't think its as accurate as Silhouette.

Flash comparisons
CFE Pistol is medium to low flash.  But medium to low is a lot more than low, as you can see the step to low is way lower.
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