Fav 223 powder/bullet combo

I really like the Hodgdon Extreme powders for precision field use, because of their temperature insensitivity. These include Varget, Benchmark, H4895, etc.

TAC is nice for bulk loading match ammo because it produces good accuracy and velocity and meters well, but as stated, it can change velocities and pressures as temps change. I dont typically use powder bars or throwers for Hodgdon powders because charges can vary slightly and cutting kernels bugs me, so i typically use a dipper and trickle charges up to within .05gr.

TAC but it's not in the poll.
Meters well, shoots well.
Then BLC(2).8208XBR,H335

Check out this link:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/ballisticxlr.com/2015/05/15/powder-temperature-sensitivity-data/amp/

The temperature coefficients listed should not be considered to be ironclad truth, but rather a general guideline.

TAC lists at .91fps per degree, which means that, for a 115 degree spread from -20 to 95, the difference in MV will be somewhere around 105fps...plenty to put you outside the harmonic accuracy node. So, if you want to have the same load at both temps, you'll have to adjust your charge. I've also found that TAC, like a lot of ball powders, gives better SD and accuracy with #41 or magnum primers...i think the extra brisance just lights it more consistently.

By comparison, Varget shows just .19fps per degree, which yields a MV spread of just around 22fps over the same temperature range, which in my experience is often within standard deviation for loads where the OCD level isn't extreme (sorting cases by water capacity and heads by OAL and weight, for example). In other words, the difference in powder performance is theoretically negligible. In practice, primer performance, humidity and air density mean you'll still have to check your dope, but it SHOULDN'T put you out of your accuracy node.

As i stated, my preference for TAC has more to do with the number of rounds i load in .223 than it's burn rate perfection; it's very good for a ball powder.

If you're hand weighing each load for maximum precision from a bolt action, though, i would try Benchmark for lighter bullets and H4895 or Varget for the heavier rounds.

IMR 3031 and AA2230 for 55 grain bullets. 25 grains is a max load for 55 grain with 3031 and 26.3 for AA2230. Load according to the most accurate which tends to be less than max. I like 24.2 of 3031 and 25.4 of AA2230 in a .223 chamber. Check your manual and don't start at max load.

Is your bolt rifle a .223 or 5.56 chamber? Likely .223. There are pressure rating differences.

If developing a load with TAC, as well as H335, in the winter, definitely check it again in the summer to make sure you aren't showing pressure signs. Less of an issue with an AR with a Wylde or 5.56 chamber though.

As Driftertank indicated, a temperature sensitive powder likely needs a summer and winter loading, or at least two different ballistic charts. Particularly if you're shooting at small targets at distance, such as groundhogs.

This is the primary reason I moved away from TAC in the first place, I like to have just one load for everything and I do the vast amount of my loading in the winter when I have more free time and my house humdity is pretty consistent. There's nothing worse than loading a whole bunch of rounds in January and then having to change that load in July.

Just as an update to my previous post, the past few days I've been able to get a solid test on the Hornady 73 grain ELD-M bullets with 24.3 grains of H4895. Really exceptional accuracy in my rifle (8 twist) I'm going to drop the 75 grain ELD-M and the 53 grain Vmax bullets in favor of the 73's for across the board use.

JO JO said:

Tac for me, I use it for both bolt action and AR
55-69 gr pills

Click to expand...

What is your load for your AR 15?

Varget with 69 and 77 Gr SMK(s)
Benchmark with 50, 53, and 55 Gr VMax(s)
I also like RL-15 with the 52 Gr SMK(s)

Voted for H335 but really should split my vote. I really like H335 for smaller bullets, 55 grainers but found my gun likes XBR-8208 with the Hornady 75 gr OTM bullets. Also tried Varget as I really like that powder in most rifles but the 335 and 8208 seem to work best for me.

IMR8208 works well with 55gain bullets.

Ruger 15151 said:

What is your load for your AR 15?

Click to expand...

works for me , may not work for you , always consult a reloading manual first ,
View attachment 775631

CFE 223 has been doing a fine job for me so far.... Interesting it didn't make the cut for the poll at the top of the thread?

Benchmark for bullets up to 55gr. Varget for bullets 50gr and up. A little overlap there. But I try to use Benchmark in that 50-55gr range since it requires less powder and goes through a powder measure better.

Midway had 55 grain Hornady spire point bullets on sale a few months ago, 7 cents each as I recall.
Using IMR8208 not bad for cheap bullets.

One more vote for Varget. With my .223 Rem varmint/target rifle with 30" bbl and 1:12" twist a max load of Varget w/CCI #400's is just the ticket for 55 grainers.

The vast majority of mine are 55gr FMJs over 24ish grains of IMR3031.
I'd read that the AR15 platform was built around the powder speed of 3031, so that's what I tried. Sure enough, my ARs eat 'em up happily.

IMR 8208 XBR

Excellent small grained extruded powder that runs nicely thru a rotary drop.

Also works well in 308.