[Unclenick]

I took a look at the military specs for M196 (tracer) ammo. They load it with three powders: WC 844 and IMR 8208M and CR 170.

Hodgdon just began selling a civilian version of IMR 8208 (IMR 8208 XBR), and WC844 is the non-canister grade OEM version of H335. I don't know a civilian equivalent for CMR 170?

The maximum and minimum loads for the 8208 XBR and H335 for the 55 grain Speer Spire Point seated to 2.200" COL are listed by Hodgdon as: 23 grains to start, 25.3 grains maximum in a Winchester case with a Winchester SR primer. The 54 grain tracer bullet, however is longer (.91" verses .71") and QuickLOAD says matching pressures will be achieved with a 0.8 grain charge reduction at both ends of the range to make up for the powder space the base of that longer bullet takes up. That puts the load range at 22.2 grains to start and 24.5 maximum with the tracer seated to 2.255" to 2.260" COL.

The military load's are reported as greater charge weights, but that is a number that changes with each lot of non-canister grade powder they get and test. So, for the canister grade stuff sold by Hodgdon, I would stick with the 0.8 grain reduction as I outlined it until you can prove otherwise by careful load workup.