Ramshot tac or?

[Jmccracken1214]

Anything better for 223/308/Grendel?

I’ve been using h335 for my bull 233 but running low and wanted to grab something else than can be used in more calibers.
I saw cfe223 and tac, benchmark, 2520 at my local store… heard tac was more temp stable than cfe.

 

[Lightning8]

I love TAC in 223 in gas gun and loaded long for bolt. Trying A2520 for 6BR but will also try in 223 with heavies. TAC is awesome in Dillon powder drop

 

[Jmccracken1214]

I love TAC in 223 in gas gun and loaded long for bolt. Trying A2520 for 6BR but will also try in 223 with heavies. TAC is awesome in Dillon powder drop

Any issues with temp stability? I’m leaning towards benchmark since it’s a stick powder

 

[Lightning8]

Any issues with temp stability? I’m leaning towards benchmark since it’s a stick powder

None observed but I am in Georgia so it is fine to moderate to hot as hell temps. Can't say about freezing cold as I avoid that!

 

[Jmccracken1214]

None observed but I am in Georgia so it is fine to moderate to hot as hell temps. Can't say about freezing cold as I avoid that!

I hear ya. I’m in central NC, so I shoot year round if possible, and that’s anywhere from high teens, low 20’s to mid 90’s

 

[nn8734]

AA2520 or 8208XBR

AA2520 is a bit slower burning than TAC which means more velocity before pressure. Any 5.55 nato or 223 wylde will like between 24.8-25.4 with 77smks. TAC tops out around 24.5 for the same in most rifles, unless you go overpressure (obviously not advised).

 

[Jmccracken1214]

AA2520 or 8208XBR

I’ve got 8208 that I run in my 223 rifle for matches, 308, and grendel.. but can’t ever find it for sale.
I’ve been using h335 for bulk 223 and was wanting to grab 8# of something else now that I’m out

 

[nn8734]

I’ve got 8208 that I run in my 223 rifle for matches, 308, and grendel.. but can’t ever find it for sale.
I’ve been using h335 for bulk 223 and was wanting to grab 8# of something else now that I’m out

Yea its tough to find, ive seen 2520 in stock more frequently

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Yea its tough to find, ive seen 2520 in stock more frequently

My local place says they haven’t got 8208 on much this year, so I didn’t want to use it up on bulk 223 ammo for the ar’s. I was wanting something a little more temp stable than h335.
I haven’t had issues with it, but velocity does vary a bit from colder/hotter weather

 

[nn8734]

Assume your loading for 55-62g bullets, have you tried H322? Its a bit more temp stable and similar results.

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Assume you’re loading for 55-62g bullets, have you tried H322? It’s a bit more temp stable and similar results.

I’ve got about 1200-1400 55gr loaded up. I was going to get 69gr for better accuracy but decided to order 1000 Hornady 62gr fmj to change over to.
I’ll see if they have h322 tomorrow. I called today and they mentioned the powders I listed in 8# jugs. I’m sure they have more though.

 

[nn8734]

IMO, id skip the 69 and go right to the 77g assuming you’re using it in a more precision oriented role

 

[Jmccracken1214]

IMO, id skip the 69 and go right to the 77g assuming you’re using it in a more precision oriented role

This stuff I was kinda of wanting to keep cheaper, just to run drills with and have my mags loaded with for a shtf... the 55's ive had no issue connecting at 470 yards, so i figured the 62 should be even better... but trying to stay realistic, mainly 25 yards out to 200-300 max for this stuff.

 

[nn8734]

Gotcha, yep 55-62g fmj stuff is perfect for that

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Gotcha, yep 55-62g fmj stuff is perfect for that

Thats my thought.. even though I wanted to go for abetter bullet, just not worth it when Im loading 77smk loads for my mk12 build, and stuff for my grendel/308/65CM that can be way more effective at distance than 223.

 

[nn8734]

I predominantly use 55g hornadys w/H335 in various cases for night shooting w/the nods/laser at close range stuff. Otherwise my primary load uses the 77smk, 25g AA2520, LC case, R7-1/2 and runs equally well in my Mk12 and all carbines.

Heres a typical group at 500m with that load and my “urgi”

 

[FCS]

Benchmark is a really nice powder.
223 use, works well with 55-69 gr bullets in AR, bit too fast in burn rate for 77.
6.5 Grendel - works well with 85-100 gr bullets but a bit too fast for heavier bullets.
308 - I’d keep Benchmark to 168 or lighter bullets

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Benchmark is a really nice powder.
223 use, works well with 55-69 gr bullets in AR, bit too fast in burn rate for 77.
6.5 Grendel - works well with 85-100 gr bullets but a bit too fast for heavier bullets.
308 - I’d keep Benchmark to 168 or lighter bullets

Im leaning towards benchmark... just because I run 169smk in 308, so if I decided too, or 8208 isnt all that great in my 308, itll give me a fall back powder to use for more than 1 caliber also... and ill keep 8208 for my 223 match rifle and grendel.

 

[FCS]

Looking for temp stable, meters well from Dillon powder measure and primarily for 55 FMJs I'd get some H322. 60 Vmax and H322 for 223/5.56 AR is a very nice combination also. H322 works well with lighter bullets in 6.5 Grendel, can use with 120-123 but velocity will be a bit lower. H322 works decent in 308 also, just would be a 155 and lighter bullet unless you accept a lower velocity.

AA2520 would be good for all 3 calibers but it is more temp sensitive than Benchmark / H322. I wouldn't say "horrible" but AA2520 is a ball powder, it will be more temp sensitive than a single base, extruded powder. I wouldn't use AA2520 with 55s, more suited to 69 and 77 in 223/5.56, 120-123 gr in 6.5 Grendel and will work well with 165-180 gr bullets in 308.
Don't do load work up at 20 degrees F and expect same performance when 100 degrees out. AA2520 will be similar in temp sensitivty to H335.

Benchmark will work with 55s, just a bit more port pressure and needs more charge weight for same velocity vs H322.
Benchmark and 69s is a stellar combo for most ARs in 223/5.56

How long is barrel and gas system?

 

[Jmccracken1214]

Looking for temp stable, meters well from Dillon powder measure and primarily for 55 FMJs I'd get some H322. 60 Vmax and H322 for 223/5.56 AR is a very nice combination also. H322 works well with lighter bullets in 6.5 Grendel, can use with 120-123 but velocity will be a bit lower. H322 works decent in 308 also, just would be a 155 and lighter bullet unless you accept a lower velocity.

AA2520 would be good for all 3 calibers but it is more temp sensitive than Benchmark / H322. I wouldn't say "horrible" but AA2520 is a ball powder, it will be more temp sensitive than a single base, extruded powder. I wouldn't use AA2520 with 55s, more suited to 69 and 77 in 223/5.56, 120-123 gr in 6.5 Grendel and will work well with 165-180 gr bullets in 308.
Don't do load work up at 20 degrees F and expect same performance when 100 degrees out. AA2520 will be similar in temp sensitivty to H335.

Benchmark will work with 55s, just a bit more port pressure and needs more charge weight for same velocity vs H322.
Benchmark and 69s is a stellar combo for most ARs in 223/5.56

How long is barrel and gas system?

The ar’s that will be running this ammo are 10.5, 14.5/16 mid length

 

[FCS]

LT-32
H322
Benchmark
VV N-133
AA2015
All above are smaller kernel, single base, extruded powders that will work well for 55-62 FMJ.

 

[morning would]

Tac works for a ton of different cartridges and it’s usually cheaper than everything else. For me, 41.5 grains and a 175 rdf in 308 or a 77 Berger with 24 grains in a 223 are both money. I also use it with good results in my 6 arc and 6.5 Grendel. As a new reloader, I was “pushed” into TAC just based purely on availability. I’m glad I stumbled on it.

 

[Potsy]

26.3 of TAC (work up!) with a 53 vmax is VILE!
That bullet has a high BC for its weight and I’ve done some things with it I’d not have believed.
3k out of a 16” AR and supersonic to 700.
Coyotes hate it……

 

[jmornoinf]

TAC is a great choice. I have done extensive testing with CFE and TAC and found TAC is the clearly better choice...smaller groups and lower ES.

Current TAC load is 24.4gr pushing a 77 SMK @2720 18" barrel