Federal small rifle AR Match primers? Other AR primer questions...

[DMW1116]

FWIW, TAC outshoots H335 with 55 grain FMJ in my rifles. They are essentially equal with 52 grain Barnes Match Burners.

I couldn’t get TAC to shoot all that well with the 69 grain RMR bullets and I didn’t try it with the 75 and 77 grain bullets when I had some.

AR Plus shoots 55 grain FMJ bullets about the same as TAC for less $$, but shoots 150 grain FMJ considerably better so that’s where my supply will go for now.

To be fair, in light of recent improvements in my reloading procedure, I should probably retest the 55 grain FMJ loads with AR Plus, TAC, and H335. My standards aren’t high for these but I may still be fooling myself.

 

[Charlie98]

To be fair, in light of recent improvements in my reloading procedure, I should probably retest the 55 grain FMJ loads with AR Plus, TAC, and H335. My standards aren’t high for these but I may still be fooling myself.

I kind of gave up on 55grn FMJ bullets... instead switching to the 62grn Hornady FMJ, and those special 62grn BTHP bullets (I think it's Midsouth...) out there. I figured, if I was going to go through the trouble and effort to handload for the AR, I might as well use better bullets. My Colt H-bar hates anything 55grn, and all my AR barrels are 1:7... which theoretically a 62grn bullet would work better in. If I want generic blasting ammos, I just get a case of 55grn M193, which seems to shoot well enough in everything... except the H-bar. I'm kind of done with 62grn M855 green tip... I have some, but some ranges flip out when they see the green tip, so I've gotten away from that.

 

[taliv]

Seen unchambered live rounds with a pin scratch or tick most of the time. That's why we let the bolt fly safely. Never in the house

Pretty much every AR will leave an indention in the primer when you release the bolt. It’s just from the fact it has a free floating firing pin. But I’m with you on extreme care indoors. I don’t chamber the same round twice indoors for example.

To the op I’d say varget and sierra 69g smk have a great chance of shooting very well. Some VV powders are great for that too like n540 if I remember correctly. Use your match AR primers. Save the #41 for blasting ammo.

 

[Charlie98]

To the op I’d say varget and sierra 69g smk have a great chance of shooting very well. Some VV powders are great for that too like n540 if I remember correctly. Use your match AR primers. Save the #41 for blasting ammo.

I know a lot of you guys love Varget, and not only in the .22's. I've never really had a hankering to chase after Varget... like H4350, it can be hard to track down, sometimes, and I just don't want to get tied to a powder I can't find... which I understand is a stupid statement given the supply issues of late. Same with VV powders...

I only have one tray of AR Match primers... as a tester to see. I guess I'll have to make my decision if the cost warrants the performance. After looking at the numbers, I don't know why I'm worried about it... the difference in cost is .04/rd, and even less when compared to #41's. If I can't afford that I probably need to drop handloading and take up pickleball.

 

[taliv]

Varget is out there just stupid expensive. I think it’s in stock at powder valley and Hodgdon if you want to pay over $50/lb.

It’s not the only powder that works great of course. It’s just the easy button for a lot of high power shooters

 

[DMW1116]

I have yet to try a 62 grain FMJ. The 55s have been sufficient so far. They shoot well enough in my guns and the Frontier 55 grain 223 load is among the most accurate Factory loads I’ve tried in my 16” rifle. I suppose to be clone accurate I should get a few for my A4 clone. I wouldn’t bet on better accuracy but they’re a little more energetic.

As to the AR Match primers, the work with TAC from what I’ve seen. In my rifles TAC pairs best with lighter bullets so far but plenty of people get good results with heavier bullets too.

 

[Charlie98]

In my rifles TAC pairs best with lighter bullets so far but plenty of people get good results with heavier bullets too.

With a burn rate similar to IMR4064, I went ahead and gave it a try with my 168grn HPBT loads in the Savage. In a very limited test, TAC kept right up with IMR4064, which is why I'm really interested in getting it to work well in the 5.56mm, and particularly the heavy bullet target loads. I have a bunch of TAC ladders in .308 to take out to NV with me... to prove once and for all if it'll beat IMR4064... and, further, if my handloads can beat FGMM. Looking at the stack of ammo boxes I have staged, I'll be out in the desert shooting more than I'll be in the casino...

 

[AJC1]

With a burn rate similar to IMR4064, I went ahead and gave it a try with my 168grn HPBT loads in the Savage. In a very limited test, TAC kept right up with IMR4064, which is why I'm really interested in getting it to work well in the 5.56mm, and particularly the heavy bullet target loads. I have a bunch of TAC ladders in .308 to take out to NV with me... to prove once and for all if it'll beat IMR4064... and, further, if my handloads can beat FGMM. Looking at the stack of ammo boxes I have staged, I'll be out in the desert shooting more than I'll be in the casino...

If your shooting match ammo, might be cheaper in the casino, definitely not more fun. I covet my varget for 6br. No reason to shoot anything but proven loads. Otherwise me and my tac will be alright....

 

[Charlie98]

If your shooting match ammo

I'm down to 2.5 boxes of 168grn FGMM. I usually only shoot 3 rounds at a time... as a control group to my handloads. If they can't shoot as good as FGMM, I have work to do... which is what happened last time.

 

[DMW1116]

My IMR 4064 175 grain loads beat the FGMM loads in accuracy but probably not velocity. I’m not curious enough to buy more TAC, but if I did I’d try some 75 grain Hornady’s with it.

 

[Charlie98]

My IMR 4064 175 grain loads beat the FGMM loads in accuracy but probably not velocity.

Well... one step at a time! Once I get the 168's sorted out, I'll move on to the 175's. My goal is to take the 168's to 600yds, and once I'm successful at that, 175's further out.

 

[Charlie98]

I am asking a LOT out of TAC... ...I would like it to be my replacement powder for IMR4895 in the M1 Garand

Well... I started looking for data in regards to TAC in the Garand, and it looks like it's no bueno. Reading some of that hoary internet lore, most people say you can make it work well enough with 150's, but as soon as you go heavy, it starts to get skwerrly.... not enough case fill. Although Ramshot's loading data has data for 155, 168, and 175grn SMK's, Hodgdon has omitted it from their data. So, circling back around to my original plan... stick with IMR4895, or if I continue with IMR4064 in the .308, I can use it there, too. Oh, well.

 

[DMW1116]

Well... one step at a time! Once I get the 168's sorted out, I'll move on to the 175's. My goal is to take the 168's to 600yds, and once I'm successful at that, 175's further out.

I kinda skipped the 168s. I didn’t start shooting that weight until Sierra was out of my price range. I do use a Speer 168 and it works quite well.

I’m comparing the 175s at 100 yards. The FGMM was a nice load but it just a step behind my own load in accuracy. From what I’ve read and seen, it’s the same load in terms of powder and bullet. I was just able to tune mine for my gun. I don’t have access to a range beyond 300 yards.