223 and Ram shot tac

[ta6ppc]

Looking at my stash, running below minimum for Varget and RL15 powder valley has a limit of 5 one pound cans so I ordered 5 pounds. I’ve never tried it, always shot Varget or RL15 or 748.

I have a 7 twist bolt gun, 69 and 77 smk’s and Lapua brass. I’ll probably start around 23 gr and work up, I did a few searches and saw several old conflicting posts about it.
I was hoping for some decent accuracy for the steel plate range out to 600 yards. The range requirements are you shoot a 1 moa group to use the range.

 

[AccelR8]

I'll be interested to hear your results. Varget has been difficult to find reliably, even before the most recent panic. I have been researching alternatives and TAC looks like a prime candidate.

 

[ta6ppc]

I’ll definitely post something once it shows up and all.

 

[762willdo]

24.5 TAC
70 Berger VLD
9 twist benchmark
federal case
bug holes

 

[jelenko]

From my experience, TAC will provide < 1MOA accuracy.
In a 24" barrel, with 25gr of TAC and H75's, groups range from .5MOA to just under 1 MOA.

 

[Gary in MD]

It’s what I use in my 223 AI
Clean burning and accurate

 

[ta6ppc]

It’s what I use in my 223 AI
Clean burning and accurate

I’ve read that lots of folks say give some extra neck tension and it’s really clean

 

[762willdo]

It is very clean burning in my .223ai
I run 28 grains

 

[BlackGrouper]

Currently testing 24.5 TAC w/ RMR 69gn bullets in Lake City brass, CCI 250s at mag length. Groups well at 200yds, no pressure sign, rounded primer edges. Going to try same load but with Lee Fctory crimp die.

 

[Gary in MD]

I’ve read that lots of folks say give some extra neck tension and it’s really clean

I’ve heard it burns cleaner running closer to maximum loads. I’m running mine on the warmer side (but not excessive). I think the last time I ran my 55 grain load over the chrono, it was right around 3420 fps.
Gary

 

[coj0502]

Tac has served me well with the heavier bullets. I had a real nice load worked up for the Sierra 77gr.

 

[karrarararararar]

24.0 was my load with 77's when I was loading it

 

[ta6ppc]

Good to hear y’all had lick with the 77’s that’s the bullet I have the most of

 

[Twdmar]

24.0 was my load with 77's when I was loading it

That load was a hammer even at 600 yards.

 

[Rsadams]

Tac is all I have ever used in .223/5.56... you can build some fast bullet speeds with tac that's for sure.... I know there's better for accuracy out there but with iron sights and 54 year old eyes it shoots just fine for me... I use it for 55gr bullets but is really nice with heavy bullets (69/77).... Plus it flows like water through my Dillon.... One other thing is you can download their data for free at their website , they have some pretty hot loads especially for 5.56 and I think I would only use new brass for some of them..... For me it's...

24.5-25 grains behind a 55gr fmj for AR platforms... A nice plinking load....

Just FYI , be careful when pouring it and don't spill... It's a million tiny balls rolling and going all over the place... When I screw up I just get a wet paper towel and wipe down the bench....

 

[kevad68]

I just went through this exercise with a used .223 Savage I bought from a buddy that had about 2k rounds on it. Stock Savage Model 10 w/24" 1:9 recessed tip barrel. I tossed it in an MDT XRS stock for better fit than the Choate it came with. Didn't want to use my meager supply of Varget (since my .308 is dialed in with that) and the LGS had #1's of Ramshot TAC in stock the day I stopped by. I kept reading TAC was somewhat hit/miss trying to stabilize 77's in a 1:9, and finicky about temp sensitivity to boot. I ended up testing some Berger 77OTM's I had lying around and some 77 Sierra HPBT as well in both new Lapu and once-fired WIN brass my firend gave me with it. They shot similar so I went with the Sierra's since they're a little cheaper and (more importantly!) I can find them online to order! Ended up at 24.4 giving me 2,864 at 32 degrees / zero elevation. My tests took it up much higher until I saw the slightest indications of pressure on the Lapua brass but "the node around 24.4" was still 0.8 under my max tests. I'll probably back it down if summer testing drives up those velocities like they say it does, but for now it's a great load.

 

[ta6ppc]

That looks really promising thanks for the picture!

 

[TheCZKid]

I had good results with Nosler 55 BT and 25.5 -26.0 grains TAC, 1:8 twist LaRue barrel AR, around 3130 fps

 

[SecondsCount]

I don't think there is really such a thing as a bad powder, you just need to find the right place to use it, and TAC works really well in 223.

Some swear by it behind the 55 grain bullets but I think it burns too dirty for that. Put it behind a 69 or 77 grainer and it cleans up nicely. One of the smallest groups that I have ever shot out of my 1:8 Bartlein 223 was with a 68 Hornady BTHP on top of 23.8 grains of TAC.

It is more temp sensitive than Varget but you probably won't see unless the difference is more than 20 degrees.

 

[Tommie]