What Is Your Most Accurate Ramshot TAC .223 Load

[345 DeSoto]

I'm just about ready to start loading 62gr FMJBT bullets for my AR15 using Ramshot TAC. My AR is a 20", 9 twist HBAR, and my cases are LC once fired with Winchester 400 SRP. I have the Ramshot, bullets, and primed cases, but I'd like to get some of your most accurate loadings...using these components. I'm NOT being sarcastic, but I don't need to know what your 16" barrel using 55gr, etc. loads are. Thanks, guys...

 

[rsrocket1]

That's some pretty specific stuff. Since I've developed the most accurate loads for my 20" AR using 55g fmjbt with mixed brass, CCI primers and H335, I won't waste your time with my loads.

You have to develop the most accurate loads for your own gun with the components you have at hand. One hint, Ramshot TAC along with H335 likes to be loaded close to the max to get that accuracy node. Start around 2 grains below max and work up. Don't be surprised that you'll find your best accuracy close to the max recommended load and close to where the powder fills the entire case. A chrony will help to ensure you are getting consistent velocities.

Good luck and shoot safe.

 

[345 DeSoto]

RSROCKET1 - Sounds like good advice...

 

[kudu]

I had some 55gr V-max bullets with 23.5grs of TAC shooting out of an old Savage 112 bolt gun run under 1/2" groups. I set the bullet just off the rifling, making them longer than an AR mag. I ran the same load set for an AR mag and had under 1" groups through one of my AR's. 1-8 twist wilde chamber 16".

60gr V-max with 24grs of TAC through AR with 1-8 Wilde chamber was getting around 3/4 groups. Probably could refine these with a better trigger, which is setting on my shop bench, and tweaking the loads a bit. I didn't do but a couple of test loads, but they started out very accurate so I stayed with what I had. Wasn't able to take the time and chrono anything either.

TAC seems to be a very good .223 powder, as good as Varget and better than any results I have had with AA2230.

The load data has 25grs for max with 62gr FMJ 855 military bullets, I would start with about 23.5grs and go from there.

 

[duck911]

With 55gr NBT's, out of my RRA 20" varmint, 25.4 to 25.8 gr of TAC did will in working up loads.

I've fine tuned the results to my specific firearm since these 2 pics taken during load development, and my powder charge is now 25.6 (with a different primer, and better results)

 

[duck911]

I had some 55gr V-max bullets with 23.5grs of TAC shooting out of an old Savage 112 bolt gun run under 1/2" groups.

Interestingly, that was a "node" that also worked well for me (roughly 23.4 to 23.8) but found that other node (above) with a little more powder and more velocity.

 

[HJ857]

26.2 grains TAC under a 53 grain Vmax, through a 20" WOA barrel. TAC works better in a longer barrel, but note that it IS temperature sensitive.

Look up the ballistics on the 53 Vmax, it will outperform any other bullet out to 600 yards.

 

[Hardtarget]

I shoot a Model1Sales AR. It has a 20" 1:9 heavy barrel and a free float tube. i shot a good bit of Privy 62 fmj but never found the sweet spot before I ran through the one pound of TAC. I tried to find more...drew a blank. I was playing with too many different bullet weights at one time. So I moved to H-335 and 55gr V-Max.

I'm going back to the 62 grain stuff soon so I'm glad to see this. I've already got good info so thanks for starting this.

Mark

 

[345 DeSoto]

Info for a 20", 1:9 twist AR barrel using a 62gr bullet is really scarce. I've been scouring the Net for weeks...:banghead:

 

[Driftertank]

Just curious, but why only 62gr? 55s are easier to find, more commonly loaded for plinking. And if you want best accuracy, why not try some 68-69gr BTHP?

Just asking. I've only used TAC behind 75 BTHPs so far, so I'm no help for your load.

 

[AR-15Nutt]

are your 62 Gr. bullets steel core ? if yes, do NOT expect great accuracy, the best i ever got was 2.75" from my 20" Colt match target, 55 grain bullets, that is a whole different story, but you do not want that info so i'll hold it back.

 

[345 DeSoto]

I'm trying to match the bullet weight to the barrel length/twist rate...bullets are not steel core.

 

[AR-15Nutt]

good luck my friend.

 

[345 DeSoto]

Got in some Range time today with loads of Ramshot TAC. Started with 10 rounds of 23.5gr behind a 62rn FMJBT, and raised each load by .5gr up to 27.5. 25.5 turned out as good as it gets...all rounds not QUITE in the same hole, but a covered the group completely. Groups got smaller from 23.5gr, and 25.5 seemed optimum for accuracy sighting n at 50 yards. 26.5 started showing flattened primers, and by the time I got to 27.5the firing pin crater was flattening out...DEFFINATELY not a good load. Now I can start loading...

 

[silverbullet86]

62 gr loads

16" barrel, but maybe this will help some.

I didn't specifically measure the groupings, but agree with others, the higher the charge the more accurate they got.

Additional comments - was in a hurry last night...

Based on the information I got from the chrono, I went ahead an bumped my charge to 25.0 gr Ramshot TAC and test fired about 10 of those, but not over the chrono yet. Even more accurate than the 24.5 gr loads listed.

I believe 25.0 is the MAX load for .223 Rem but 5.56 allows up to 26.2 so I'll probably stop increasing at around 25.5 or 25.7 gr. I may also chrono some from my new 18" 1in8 twist .223 Wylde setup and see how they do.

Unfortunately, I don't think the 62 gr is ever going to be as accurate as the 55 gr loads I have already developed, and I may step up to a 69 gr SMK?

BTW these loads are the 62 gr Armscor bulk from Midway and NOT steel SS109 clones.