Load check: .223 with 55gr FMJBTw/c and 24.6 grains of TAC

[IMtheNRA]

Hello, I've been experimenting with TAC instead of my usual powder, and I loaded up some rounds using Hornady bulk 55-grain FMJBT, CCI-Bench Rest primers and TAC powder.

My intended charge weight was 24.2 grains, but this powder seems to be subject to weight creep in my LNL press/LNL powder measure, so I ended up with 24.6 grains.

I don't have access to a chrono right now, so I wanted to get your opinion on whether or not this seems like a heavy load. I have a feeling it's OK since I've seen published charges such as this for heavier bullets, but I realize there is a lot of difference among bullets and various publishers' testing results.

It is meant to be fired from a 20" AR in temperature range of 30 to 80 degrees.

 

[steve4102]

Did you work up to your 24.2gr load?

Is your chamber a 5.56?

If it is a 5.56 you should be fine, but I would still load a few at 24.2gr and test them for pressure before I fired off the 24.6gr.

My Tac load with 55gr Hornady FMJ in my Colt 5.56 is 25gr.

 

[IMtheNRA]

Yes, I worked up to 24.0, but did not chrono anything over 24.0 The loads that I intended to make were for testing 24.2, but I accidentally ended up with 24.6 grains.

The last chrono test was with 24.0 grains of TAC, shot with my 5.56-chamber Colt AR, 20-inch barrel. Temperature was about 75 degrees, altitude around 8,500 feet:

Average: 2916
Low: 2886
High: 2958

 

[longdayjake]

You should be just fine. TAC is actually a relatively slow powder for .223. You will probably get better results with heavier bullets but it will give you reasonable results with the lighter 55 grain bullets. One thing I will mention is that I personally have had temperature sensitive issues with TAC. I use it a lot and it is my second favorite powder but be careful about leaving them in a hot truck and then shooting them before they cool down. I blew the ejector out of one of my ARs and I completely ruined the brass that way.

 

[DBR]

I loaded some Hornady 55gr FMJBT wc over 25gr TAC. Using CCI #41 primers. I got about 2850FPS out of a 16" AR. I didn't particularly like the load. For ten shot strings the ES was more than 100fps.

I called the Ramshot ballistics guy and he said to get minimum spreads TAC had to be loaded hot. He recommended up to 27 gr for the 55gr bullet.

I think TAC starts to come into its own with 60gr or heavier bullets.

For 55gr I have been using 23.5 gr of H332 with the CCI #41 primer lately and I really like it. It averages about 2830 from 16" AR. I also like 25gr H335 but it is somewhat temperature sensitive.

These last loads are within loading manual limits but as always work up a new load in your gun.

 

[Walkalong]

I settled on 25.3 Grs of TAC with a 55 Gr FMJ for a plinker load in mixed .223 brass using older WSR nickle plated primers. Good for around 2850+ from a 16" barrel.

 

[ssyoumans]

I've settled on 25.5gr of TAC using the 55gr Varmint Nightmare Extreme HP or SP at 2.230", CCI Mag primers

Out of my 16" M&P:
25.0gr gave 2856 fps
25.5gr gave 2934 fps
26.0gr gave 2990 fps
26.5gr gave 3071 fps

Work up data at your own risk! My data exceeded Hornady's 24.7gr, Ramshots' 26.0gr max and Sierra's 26.3gr max, with their respective 55gr bullets but was less than another sources.

FYI: American Eagle back box, commonly available at Walmart for $6/box runs 3158 fps and shoots well enough, when I don't feel like loading for the AR.

 

[IMtheNRA]

Thank you everyone for your advice and knowledge! I feel safe enought to shoot these over a chrono now.

Since I'm using FMJBT bullets, it is obvious that I'm making simple plinking ammo for the ARs. I was surprised to see accuracy results comparable to the plinking ammo that I load with Viht-133. Based on my initial testing, I decided to continue exploring this powder as a cheaper substitue for Viht-133 in plinking ammo of mixed brass and bulk Hornady FMJBT bullets.

Another surprise that I got from TAC is that my brass is coming out a little cleaner than it does after shooting Viht-133, which I thought was the cleanest option out there.

I am very concerned, however, about the reported temperature sensitivity of TAC. I tend to shoot on hot summer days waaaay up in the mountains, where everything gets baked in the sun, including my vehicle. Even with the windows open, the interior temp of a parked vehicle is probably 90+ degrees.. I don't want to have to store my ammo in the cooler, next to the lemonade

 

[ssyoumans]

My data was collected at 94 degrees. We have pretty hot summers down here in Atlanta.

 

[longdayjake]

Mine had been in the truck for hours when it was about 95 degrees and they actually burned my fingers when I put them in the magazine. I was using a compressed load and I was shooting 6.5 grendel. The same load was very mild the day before and left no marks on the brass at all. Then when I shot a few the next day after they got heated up all the brass was completely ruined and on the third or fourth shot the ejector broke.

 

[Walkalong]

My data was collected at 94 degrees. We have pretty hot summers down here in Atlanta.

I test all my loads in the Alabama heat in as well. I don't worry about my loads getting too hot to use. If I work something up in less than 90 plus weather, I always test it when it gets 95 plus. (July &/or August)