Anybody load TAC in 223?

Mr_Flintstone · Nov 25, 2021

I just noticed that since Hodgdon bought Western Powder that they no longer recommend TAC for .223 Rem. I guess that’s the way it goes when a company gets taken over. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone has loaded TAC on the lower end of load data. Hornady’s Handbook shows TAC loads as low as 21.5 gr for a 55 gr FMJ-BT.

I’ve been loading H4895 for my light loads, but I think I’ll try TAC on the bottom end. It shows that it should still have good velocity, but at lower pressure.

AJC1 · Nov 25, 2021

I shoot hornaday 75 bthp in the 23.x range.

sfl_gunner · Nov 25, 2021

It's probably my favorite power for .223 loads with light projectiles.

JO JO · Nov 25, 2021

Tac is a great powder for 223 or 5.56
Here is Ranshot's guide
https://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WesternPowdersHandloadingGuide8.0_WEB.pdf

DMW1116 · Nov 25, 2021

I have a TAC load for FMJ in the 223 load range that slightly edged out a H335 load for accuracy. I’m preparing to make a fairly large batch of them after I’m done working on a load using TAC and some 52 grain Barnes Match Burners. It’s ever so close to the accuracy I want and I think I’ve found the sweet spot in the load range. I need to test it one more time.

IALoder · Nov 25, 2021

TAC has been great for me in .223 and definitely plan on using it for quite some time! Very versatile, does well with 50-77gr bullets!

JO JO · Nov 25, 2021

and if you load 308 Tac works great for that too

Skeptic13 · Nov 25, 2021

I use TAC in all of my light .223 loads with 55 gr bullets. I am in the process of working up loads for heavier match bullets as well. Great powder for .223 and way easier to find than Hodgdon powders that work well for .223.

Waterboy3313 · Nov 25, 2021

I like Tac for my 55gr Hornady FMJBT. Mine might not be as low as what you are looking for but I run 25.3gr.

dcloco · Nov 25, 2021

Mr_Flintstone said:
I just noticed that since Hodgdon bought Western Powder that they no longer recommend TAC for .223 Rem. I guess that’s the way it goes when a company gets taken over. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone has loaded TAC on the lower end of load data. Hornady’s Handbook shows TAC loads as low as 21.5 gr for a 55 gr FMJ-BT.

I’ve been loading H4895 for my light loads, but I think I’ll try TAC on the bottom end. It shows that it should still have good velocity, but at lower pressure.

Where is the info from Hodgdon advising to quit using TAC in 223?

Waterboy3313 · Nov 25, 2021

Where is the info from Hodgdon advising to quit using TAC in 223?

I have also noticed while browsing the hodgdon site if I click through the load date for 223 it doesn't come up with anything using Tac as a powder. I'm still using it and still see no reason to change.

FROGO207 · Nov 25, 2021

TAC and 55-63 grain bullets in 223 go together like PB&J. That is what I use for my bullets in that weight range. I am happy enough that I have not bothered to try anything else for the last 20 years.

jmorris · Nov 26, 2021

I have loaded many thousands of rounds of 55 gn FMJ with TAC, X-terminator (faster than TAC) and 748 (slower than TAC). All good metering powders from most any measure and work well for .223.

Mr_Flintstone · Nov 26, 2021

dcloco said:
Where is the info from Hodgdon advising to quit using TAC in 223?

Hodgdon doesn’t list it at all for .223. Western Powder’s load book shows 23.2-25.8.

I’ve loaded using Western’s data before with good results, but lately I’ve been loading lighter loads in an effort to extend my brass life. I have some reduced loads with H4895 that shoot to POA up to 100 yards that I have loaded 10+ times and the cases are still going. I figure the low TAC load from Hornady will be just a touch faster and about 3-4 thousand PSI more than my reduced H4895 loads. I plan to work some up tomorrow if the weather permits, and if they are as accurate as my previous loads, then TAC will become one of my preferred reduced load powders. If not, it’s still a heck of a powder for full power.

2ndtimer · Nov 26, 2021

Waterboy3313 said:
I have also noticed while browsing the hodgdon site if I click through the load date for 223 it doesn't come up with anything using Tac as a powder. I'm still using it and still see no reason to change.

I don’t believe Hodgdon has had time to integrate loading data for Western Powders (the former distributor of Accurate and Ramshot powders into their online data base. It is still available on Western powders website
https://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WesternLoadGuide1-2016_Web.pdf
I have used over 30 lbs of Ramshot TAC over the years, 95% of it in .223/5.56 loads, the rest in .308 Win, .338 Federal and a slight bit in 22-250. It has performed well in my various .223 rifles with bullet weights from 40 gr. up through 77 gr. Anytime I find a decent priced 8 lb keg, I order one or two. (Years ago, the first 3 I ordered were only $79.99 each. Should have ordered more!)

AJC1 · Nov 26, 2021

Mr_Flintstone said:
Hodgdon doesn’t list it at all for .223. Western Powder’s load book shows 23.2-25.8.

I’ve loaded using Western’s data before with good results, but lately I’ve been loading lighter loads in an effort to extend my brass life. I have some reduced loads with H4895 that shoot to POA up to 100 yards that I have loaded 10+ times and the cases are still going. I figure the low TAC load from Hornady will be just a touch faster and about 3-4 thousand PSI more than my reduced H4895 loads. I plan to work some up tomorrow if the weather permits, and if they are as accurate as my previous loads, then TAC will become one of my preferred reduced load powders. If not, it’s still a heck of a powder for full power.

I think a faster powder would be more economical to accomplish your goal with a better burn. Reloader 7 or imr 4198 would be a better all around choice or even benchmark for your stated goal.

Mr_Flintstone · Nov 26, 2021

AJC1 said:
I think a faster powder would be more economical to accomplish your goal with a better burn. Reloader 7 or imr 4198 would be a better all around choice or even benchmark for your stated goal.

Probably, but sometimes economical takes a back seat to available.

Chuck R. · Nov 26, 2021

My .223 3Gun load is with TAC as is the loads I working up for 4 other .223s

It literally is my "go to" powder for volume .223 when I don't want to throw and weigh.

Waterboy3313 · Nov 26, 2021

It literally is my "go to" powder for volume .223 when I don't want to throw and weigh.

It does meter quite nicely even in my Lee perfect powder measure. Its actually the only powder I will use in it.

deadeye dick · Nov 26, 2021

I find it meters quite well in my Lee PPM also. One of my favorites is 55GR Hornedy BT 23.7 or23.5 Tac or 22.9 or23.4 X terminator

luzyfuerza · Nov 26, 2021

AJC1 said:
imr 4198 would be a better all around choice or even benchmark for your stated goal

Be careful about using IMR4198 in an autoloader in .223. It generates enough gas to make pistols and carbines function, but mid- and rifle-length gas systems not so much. And it does work great in bolt actions, of course. See:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...98-in-ar-with-rifle-length-gas-system.780506/

and

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/223-loads-using-h4198.877098/#post-11692737

JimKirk · Nov 26, 2021

TAC is my favorite powder with 50/55 grain bullets ....even 60/65 grains work well with it .....in .223 Remington...

DMW1116 · Nov 26, 2021

All this talk and I may try a load test with 308 and TAC. 168 grain Amax have shot well with CFE 223 from my rifle.

The Glockodile · Nov 26, 2021

DMW1116 said:
All this talk and I may try a load test with 308 and TAC. 168 grain Amax have shot well with CFE 223 from my rifle.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/ramshot-tac-is-the-short-barreled-308-king.889011/

Fairly recent...

Dudedog · Nov 26, 2021

I just noticed that since Hodgdon bought Western Powder that they no longer recommend TAC for .223 Rem.

Wow interesting.

I like TAC for .223, shoots well for me and meters well.

Anybody load TAC in 223?

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