Ram Shot Tac users Let me here you loads!

[Mark611]

I recently found a local place that has a lot of this powder at normal prices, I have also read where this powder is good for the 6.5GRR? I plan to run the 123gn ELDM from a 18'' and a 24'' barrels, I would like to hear what you guys have to say about your load data for a 1&8 twist on these barrel lengths, and the 120gn pills,

[LRRPF52]

Yes, TAC is good.

Start at 27.0gr under a 120gr class cup and core bullet, work up in .3gr increments over a chronograph until 28.8gr max load. Make sure you don’t have any excursions from the trend line.

Alexander Arms had a lot of data with TAC in that weight class with 28.8gr being the max under the 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, 120gr SMK, and 120gr Norma FMJ. 28.5gr was the max under the Berger 120gr Match, so take that into consideration with the ELD-M.

In Volume II, the max listed load is 28.5gr of TAC under the 123gr A-MAX (ELD-M replaced the A-MAX with a new tip).

Lots of data for it in Hornady’s manuals, as well as Sierra.

Sierra’s data in interesting because it lists 28.8gr max for their 120gr bullets, but 28.9gr max for the 123gr SMK.

We have a bunch of load data in the Grendel Handbooks for TAC:

[outbreaker]

27.2 and 27.4 under a 120gr NBT both hit in the same spot and both were sub-MOA. Looked like a critical charge weight area so I settled on 27.3 and it is lights out.

[meatsweats]

I’ve been pretty happy with TAC. Whether it’s 120-123 grain pills. Plenty accurate and I’ve had good results on game as well. Another positive is that it’s available. I’ve got an itch to try 4895 and LeverEvolution but TAC has done me well. I’m right around 27 grains for 120-123 grain pills

[SDW]

I like TAC. In fact I need to go looking for some more. I'm glad to read that it's showing up again. I'll check first to see if there's any available locally before thinking about buying online.

Fired through my 20" BA stainless DMR barrel, here's my results of a workup set using 123 gr ELDs. They're all pretty good groups. I want to load up a bunch more at the max I used: 28.2 gr. Velocity wasn't amazing. Just 2467 FPS. But it's fast enough for target work.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18509[/ATTACH]

[Mark611]

Thank you guys, This store claims to have at least 2 more cases of this powder, after I purchased a case of it already, so IMO it can't hurt to buy more!

[Sandi5i7]

Midsouth shooters has Tac, and several others in stock as of now.

[biodsl]

Midsouth shooters has Tac, and several others in stock as of now.

Thank you. Picked up some Tac and 2520.

[SDW]

Thank you. Picked up some Tac and 2520.

I was going to mention, my rifle (the BA 20") shoots TAC and AA2520 about equally well, all other things---aside from load weights---being equal. Meaning, during my testing, with 5-shot groups, my max of TAC, 28.2gr, and my max of 2520, 29.6gr, both shot sub-MOA and were only a couple of FPS apart in velocity and both with low SDs. I plan to try loading up batches both those loads in the future to see with comes out on top. Max loads are the lower right bulls in both targets.

Note that the groupings below show a pronounced vertical component. I attribute it to sloppy shooting technique; was shooting prone and the rifle has an A1 fixed stock on it. So my collar bone was starting to feel it after a while and the hold became inconsistent.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]18516[/ATTACH]

[Mark611]

Thank you for your input!

[A.D.D. AR]

another vote for 28.2 gr behind 123 amax/ eldm. Has worked well in 3 different barrels for me. not the fastest load, but seems consistent.

[Mark611]

I have 4lbs of AA2520 to try as well as the RAM Shot Tac, The Tac seems to be usable for the 5.56, 6.5GRR and the 308win, but I mainly purchased the Tac for my 6.5GRR and my 5.56 tubes,

[Smtimelevi]

Just made my first set of hand loads using this powder. Started very low and did some what of a ladder test. 123 SST, 1x Federal brass, cci 41 primers, COAL 2.26 , 25.5/25.8/26.2 grn TAC powder. All Shot equal in terms of accuracy. Right at 1” @100yds. Going to step up the powder charge closer to 27gn and work it up for my next batch

[Mark611]

My problem is all of my reloading manuals are out of date, so I just ordered the 11th edit Hornady and the new Hodgdon manual, so updated information with some of the newer powders as well as some the older powders will give me more info, my older Hornady manual shows the Test barrel @ 14.5'' with a 1&7 twist, not very useful to me!

[LRRPF52]

My problem is all of my reloading manuals are out of date, so I just ordered the 11th edit Hornady and the new Hodgdon manual, so updated information with some of the newer powders as well as some the older powders will give me more info, my older Hornady manual shows the Test barrel @ 14.5'' with a 1&7 twist, not very useful to me!

That was the Hornady 8th Edition when 6.5 Grendel data from them debuted. They had a 14.5” AA carbine as their test mule initially, then went to an 18” barrel AA Grendel with the 9th Edition.

I actually like that they provided that data because most data is for 24”, 22”, or 20”, depending on the popular barrel lengths of the particular rifle actions.

Get the Grendel Handbooks we compiled and you’ll have everything from 14.5” to 24” with hundreds of loads.

I personally acquire every source possible and cross-check data a lot, since different manufacturers use different cases, primers, and bullets. This gives me more reference information that increases the likelihood of covering the case, powder, primer, bullet combinations I might be developing a load for. Case types can change things quite a bit since volumes are different, especially with other cartridges.