Everything ramshot TAC

AJC1

AJC1

Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2020
Messages
12,299
Location
St Marys Georgia
I use a lot of tac and it's the one ball powder I really like, and it seems to be very good when you find it's happy place. There are bits of data spread all over about this powder. This thread has several goals.
1. A quick reference to grab data for a starting point.
2. Gather specific data on loadings that are very common. Specifically
A. 223
55fmj-
62fmj-
69 rmr/smk-
75 horn bthp-
77 smk-
So for datas sake the load in grains followed by the oal and platform used ie bolt or semi.
B. 308
147 fmj
150-
155-
165-
168-
3. Any other loading because I've found great utility in other loadings.

My goal is to plot people's loads and see if I can find a trend. The more data will help me filter out anomalies. Tac seems to have multiple nodes in my 308 testing so I might end up with a mess, who knows.... 17027405631802414779317595497009.jpg
 
2.
A. 223
55fmj- working on now 55 wolf fmj 2.250 25.0-25.8 built and ready for testing.
62fmj-
69 rmr/smk- 24.0 grains at 2.260 AR, and bolt savage rem and Hornady cases.
75 horn bthp- 23.5 grains at 2.260 AR
77 smk-
B. 308
147 fmj
150-
155-lapua scanner 42.5 grains at 2.800 in rem cases.
165-
168-
3. 30-30 170 cast 26 grains of tac out of a 94 win lever.
Edited to add all loads were developed using standard cci primers of the appropriate size.
 
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As a caveat, it's my understanding that TAC likes a full case. I was looking for loads to duplicate my M2 ball load for the M1 Garand, my normal load is IMR4895, and I wanted to try to find a substitute load with TAC. You can do it, but it doesn't like it.

46grn TAC in a commercial (RP) .30-06 case, and the Hornady 150grn FMJ-BT bullet, seated deep (to the cannelure) with an COL of 3.125"... giving a case fill of only 75%

With the CCI #34 Arsenal primer... 2815fps avg, with notes: erratic, poor accuracy.
With the CCI #200 primer... 2775fps avg, with notes: very consistent, good accuracy.

However, after further reading other's experiences with it, I've decided to abandon TAC in the .30-06, and just keep it to short-action cartridges.

***

Working up an M80 duplicate load for my M1a, I found... out of the 16" barrel of my Socom16...

43.9grn TAC, in Prvi brass, same Hornady 150grn FMJ-BT bullet, seated at 2.775"... and nearly 90% case fill...

2600fps (16" barrel) with either the #34 or #200 CCI primer... but... better accuracy with the standard primer. That load duplicates the performance I get with genuine M80 surplus out of that rifle. I plan to verify those initial readings later this month. Trust but verify.

***

Rumor also has it that TAC does not like a Magnum primer, besides being a ball powder, where very often a Magnum primer is dictated. I can tell you, in my fairly limited use of TAC, it does, indeed, prefer standard primers. I've had 3 different loads, worked up for 3 different rifles, the only difference being either a #34 Arsenal (Magnum) primer, or a standard LR primer... and the standard primer always turned in better accuracy. It's quite possible I hit the node with the standard primer, and pushed it out of the node with the Magnum primer... but I would find that extraordinary given 3 different loads in 3 different rifles.
 
I didn't realize I have a wee bit of TAC data for the 5.56mm. I'm trying to work up a '90% M855' load with the 62grn (Hornady) BTHP and the Hornady (branded) 62grn FMJ. To that end, 24.5grn TAC shot well in my 16" RRA 1:7 barrel, while 24.9grn TAC shot well in my 20" 1:7 DMR. No chrono readings... I'll be further testing those in a few weeks.
 
Have some TAC, but haven't used it yet. Looking forward to reading everyone's experiences!
 
6.5Grendel

120 SMK, 27.0, 2.270", PPU and reformed 7.62x39 brass. (I'm getting some Starline for Christmas, yay)

Accurate load in my 18" 1:8 BCA upper.

thumbnail_IMG_20230716_131011181.jpg

100 yds., prone with a sling.
 
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These loads are worked up in my rifles, and may not be safe in yours. Start low and work up!

.223:
Hornady 62gr FMJ (NOT M855 green tip) 25.2gr TAC, mixed head stamp cases, 2.220" OAL, CCI 400, #41, Fed205 all shoot the same, doesn't seem to like CCI 450'S. Likes a light crimp with Lee FCD.

Hornady 75gr BTHP, 24.0gr TAC, LC brass, 2.245", CCI #41's and Fed 205's seem to work best, doesn't like CCI 450's. Likes a med crimp in the cannelure with a Lee FCD.

77gr SMK or NCC, same charge weight as 75gr, only 2.250" OAL.

.308:
Hornady 150gr FMJ, 43.5gr TAC, 2.700 OAL, mixed military cases, mostly LC, CCI #34's, light crimp in cannelure. Didn't seem to care about primers, but these fmj's aren't exactly the most accurate bullets.

The only weird thing is the CCI #41's and 450's. I thought they were supposed to both be "magnum" but there's a definite difference in accuracy with the same loads in .223. I'll have to play with some TAC and 168 SMK's in .308 to see if there's a noticeable difference in primers.
 
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Bought some of this powder with the goal of using it for plinking loads from a progressive press.

Following this thread to see all your loads in .223 Remington and .308 Winchester.
 

Ramshot TAC

Ramshot TAC I was just given a few pound of this powder and would like to know a good accurate load for the 50 or 55 grain bullets in the 223. I will be shooting them in a Browning A-Bolt. Thanks for you help guys.
www.thehighroad.org

Ramshot TAC in .223

Long story short, I do some work on occasion near a gun shop that has had some useful powder all throughout this shortage. They may not always have "the best" stuff on the shelf but no matter what cartridge you're loading for they have something. Well yesterday after work I walked in to see a...
www.thehighroad.org

Ramshot TAC for 5.56

I know that a lot of folks like H335 for the AR, but Powdervalley has a great price on Ramshot TAC right now, has anyone used this for the AR? They say it is great for the heavy rounds, but I shoot mostly 55 and 62 gr. Not a benchrest shooter, just off-hand but I don't want to buy 16 # of...
www.thehighroad.org

Ramshot TAC for 5.56

I know that a lot of folks like H335 for the AR, but Powdervalley has a great price on Ramshot TAC right now, has anyone used this for the AR? They say it is great for the heavy rounds, but I shoot mostly 55 and 62 gr. Not a benchrest shooter, just off-hand but I don't want to buy 16 # of...
www.thehighroad.org

Some old bookmarks.
 
The Glockodile said:

Ramshot TAC

Ramshot TAC I was just given a few pound of this powder and would like to know a good accurate load for the 50 or 55 grain bullets in the 223. I will be shooting them in a Browning A-Bolt. Thanks for you help guys.
www.thehighroad.org

Ramshot TAC in .223

Long story short, I do some work on occasion near a gun shop that has had some useful powder all throughout this shortage. They may not always have "the best" stuff on the shelf but no matter what cartridge you're loading for they have something. Well yesterday after work I walked in to see a...
www.thehighroad.org

Ramshot TAC for 5.56

I know that a lot of folks like H335 for the AR, but Powdervalley has a great price on Ramshot TAC right now, has anyone used this for the AR? They say it is great for the heavy rounds, but I shoot mostly 55 and 62 gr. Not a benchrest shooter, just off-hand but I don't want to buy 16 # of...
www.thehighroad.org

Ramshot TAC for 5.56

I know that a lot of folks like H335 for the AR, but Powdervalley has a great price on Ramshot TAC right now, has anyone used this for the AR? They say it is great for the heavy rounds, but I shoot mostly 55 and 62 gr. Not a benchrest shooter, just off-hand but I don't want to buy 16 # of...
www.thehighroad.org

Some old bookmarks.
Click to expand...
I haven't found utility going into 556 pressures. Admiditly I've only tested the entire range with the 69rmr. A few tenths below max 223 seems to work the best so far but I'm trying to completely understand this powder and with 24 pounds I just might, by the time I run out 😁
 
IALoder said:
The only weird thing is the CCI #41's and 450's. I thought they were supposed to both be "magnum" but there's a definite difference in accuracy with the same loads in .223. I'll have to play with some TAC and 168 SMK's in .308 to see if there's a noticeable difference in primers.
Click to expand...

Let us know what you find...

The #41 and the #450 are not exactly equivalent... The #450 is a true Magnum primer, the #41 is nearly so. The #41 is certainly hotter than the #400. I suppose the same is true in LR primer land... that the #34 is likely between the #200 and #250 Magnum primer... again, the #34 is certainly not a standard primer.
 
JmacD said:
Just curious about temp stability? I shoot from -20 to 100+, so I gotta ask.
Click to expand...
It's not that stable... if your shooting h4350 nothing even comes close... it's a cost effective powder for high volume shooters at a significant cost savings over varget or ar-comp. I stay in the low wide node and don't have issues. I'm not shooting under 40. I do endure 100+. I develop in the 80s so 20 either way and I'm good. You couldn't push me outside to shoot below freezing.
 
AJC1 said:
It's not that stable... if your shooting h4350 nothing even comes close... it's a cost effective powder for high volume shooters at a significant cost savings over varget or ar-comp. I stay in the low wide node and don't have issues. I'm not shooting under 40. I do endure 100+. I develop in the 80s so 20 either way and I'm good. You couldn't push me outside to shoot below freezing.
Click to expand...
You sound like me......no way I shoot below 40 degrees. I know, Pansy me. When I think of shooting in winter I think about my uncle in the Korean War. Hell on earth.....cold shoots are not for me. I used to build houses in winter, remember shingling in a strong snow storm.....never again. ;)

I like TAC for .223.....very accurate! I prefer 4350 for .243 and .308 bolt actions. 4895 for .308 semis.....I don't shoot bigger stuff anymore.

A shooter with experience I know likes the 50-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip and 26.0 grains of Ramshot TAC. He says it's a combination that tends to shoot in just about any .223s...
He also told me, that he found out that TAC is Nosler's standard test load for 50-grain Ballistic Tips, their most popular 0.224 bullet...

I've heard people rave about Reloader 15 for .223.....I've never tried it but should. Friend claims that if you want to find out your rifle's potential accuracy, shoot a 52 grain MK with 27.0 grains of Reloder 15 and the 7 1/2 primer. He said it's been a reliable load in every rifle he's shot it in. “
 
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JmacD said:
Just curious about temp stability? I shoot from -20 to 100+, so I gotta ask.
Click to expand...
As others have stated, TAC is not very temperature stable. It loses a lot at low temperatures, but in my opinion handles high temperatures better than H-335. It is still my favorite powder for .223 with bullets from 40 gr thru 62 gr. If you want temperature stability, consider Benchmark for lighter bullets.
I also like it in .308 Win with 125 gr Speer TNT's. Am still playing around with heavier bullets.
 
I'm in the same boat as you... I'm trying to test 77gr SMKs with TAC. I loaded up 50 at 23.4gr and shot 5 at 10 yards and could cover them with my thumb so I need to shoot them at like 70 yards and see what they do then. Idk exactly what COAL they are but they barely fit in USGI mags so probably 2.26 or 2.25 COAL. I'm using Winchester #41 primers.
 
45/30-06OKIE said:
I'm in the same boat as you... I'm trying to test 77gr SMKs with TAC. I loaded up 50 at 23.4gr and shot 5 at 10 yards and could cover them with my thumb so I need to shoot them at like 70 yards and see what they do then. Idk exactly what COAL they are but they barely fit in USGI mags so probably 2.26 or 2.25 COAL. I'm using Winchester #41 primers.
Click to expand...
Yours is the first and only data point with 77s. Very interested in your tests....
 
A fellow member paid it forward with 75 grain eldms and they will be used for the cause... results will be in a bolt rifle due to listed oal.... I can test them in lapua, Hornady or RP. Due to the very nature of the type of bullet I'm also pondering book oal or .020 of the lands....
 
AJC1 said:
You couldn't push me outside to shoot below freezing.
Click to expand...

I've done enough of it... shooting and other activities... that I don't want to have to do it again. 115F? Fine with me...

2ndtimer said:
I also like it in .308 Win with 125 gr Speer TNT's.
Click to expand...

I'll be giving TAC a try with the 110grn V-Max in my M1a. IMR3031 works very well, already, but inquiring minds want to know.

lordpaxman said:
I’ve still got H335 to use up but am interested in this powder. Actually I’m interested in any powder… addicted maybe?
Click to expand...

Yea... I've got about 9# of H335 to use up, which will be simple enough... 2500 rounds of 5.56mm should take care of it! :rofl:
 
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