ngnrd
Member
First, I just want to confirm that Accurate's 2230 is the same powder as Ramshot's X-Terminator. Everything I read says it is, and there is no difference in their respective manufacturer's published load data. Is this correct?
Second, when looking at forum threads across the Web, there seems to be a pretty solid consensus that TAC is better for heavier bullets in the 223 (>60gr), and A2230/X-T is better for the lighter bullets. But, when looking at Ramshot's current published data (Edition 4.5), the velocities between the two powders are so close it's not really worth quibbling about. Bullet weight just doesn't seem to have much bearing on which powder would be better. A2230/X-T just gets there using slightly less powder.
For instance, as listed in Ramshot's Load Guide:
Sierra 50gr BK: 25.4gr of X-T gives 3,435fps, and 26.4gr of TAC gives 3,428fps
Sierra 65gr SBT: 23.4gr of X-T gives 2,982fps, and 24.3gr of TAC gives 2,986fps
Sierra 80grHPBT:23.1gr of X-T gives 2,732fps, and 24.3gr of TAC gives 2,749fps
So, what am I missing here? I have both powders on hand, and can play around a bit with various loads. Is there any reason I should stick with TAC for the heavies and A2230/X-T for the featherweights? I certainly don't want to just waste components repeating somebody else's experiments, but I don't want to exclude a possibly great combination based on an old wives tale either.
For reference, the heaviest bullets I'll likely be loading is Nosler's 64gr Bonded Performance bullet, and the lightest may possibly be Barnes' 45gr TSX-FB. And although I'll certainly be loading up various versions of plinking/target ammo where it won't really matter, I'm mostly concerned about getting the best performance (precision first, with velocity a very close second) out of the hunting ammo.
What say the oracles of The High Road? Is it really going to matter which powder I use? Are there other criteria I haven't considered?
As a side note, I also have H335 and CFE223 to experiment with, and have a couple of load tests of each waiting for the weather to cooperate so I can shoot 'em over the chrony. But, I'm mostly curious about the TAC vs A2230/X-T scenario.
Second, when looking at forum threads across the Web, there seems to be a pretty solid consensus that TAC is better for heavier bullets in the 223 (>60gr), and A2230/X-T is better for the lighter bullets. But, when looking at Ramshot's current published data (Edition 4.5), the velocities between the two powders are so close it's not really worth quibbling about. Bullet weight just doesn't seem to have much bearing on which powder would be better. A2230/X-T just gets there using slightly less powder.
For instance, as listed in Ramshot's Load Guide:
Sierra 50gr BK: 25.4gr of X-T gives 3,435fps, and 26.4gr of TAC gives 3,428fps
Sierra 65gr SBT: 23.4gr of X-T gives 2,982fps, and 24.3gr of TAC gives 2,986fps
Sierra 80grHPBT:23.1gr of X-T gives 2,732fps, and 24.3gr of TAC gives 2,749fps
So, what am I missing here? I have both powders on hand, and can play around a bit with various loads. Is there any reason I should stick with TAC for the heavies and A2230/X-T for the featherweights? I certainly don't want to just waste components repeating somebody else's experiments, but I don't want to exclude a possibly great combination based on an old wives tale either.
For reference, the heaviest bullets I'll likely be loading is Nosler's 64gr Bonded Performance bullet, and the lightest may possibly be Barnes' 45gr TSX-FB. And although I'll certainly be loading up various versions of plinking/target ammo where it won't really matter, I'm mostly concerned about getting the best performance (precision first, with velocity a very close second) out of the hunting ammo.
What say the oracles of The High Road? Is it really going to matter which powder I use? Are there other criteria I haven't considered?
As a side note, I also have H335 and CFE223 to experiment with, and have a couple of load tests of each waiting for the weather to cooperate so I can shoot 'em over the chrony. But, I'm mostly curious about the TAC vs A2230/X-T scenario.