Well, Looks Like I am All In On TAC Powder For Now

5whiskey · May 20, 2024, 12:02 PM

My old favorites 4064 and 4895, along with the most popular stand-ins, are either unobtanium or cost $60+ a pound (or both). I'm not at crisis level yet, as I still have a smidgen of 4064 (about 2 pounds) left and most of my brass is currently loaded... but I want to stock up on components to get me through the next few years. Looks like Ramshot TAC can load everything I shoot. It may be a bit of a compromise powder, but I've found load data that seems to say it suitable for all of the major WW2 Era service rifle calibers (.303, 7.7 Jap, 7.5 Swiss, 8mm, etc). Which makes sense since it's close to H4895 on the comparison burn rate chart.

Plus I can get it for $40 per pound. Which still feels like highway robbery, but it's the time we live in and a heap better than $60+ per pound. Anything I need to know specifically about TAC? Anyone had success with using it for reduced cast loads? I actually found data from Western powder circa 2019, just before the buyout, with cast lead .30-30.

I looked at accurate 2700 and 2230 also, as they can (could) be found for ~$40 per pound or so. Until I no longer saw 2700 locally or in stock at grafs, and I'm just not sure on 2230. As a side not jas anyone else decided to switch powders because of price?

totaldla · May 20, 2024, 01:12 PM

Yes, I switched because of price. I moved my 223 reloading To Shooters World AR Plus - which is about $27/pound.

I like TAC and I've burned a lot of it. It does work good in my 308 adventures but it is not as consistent as a stick powder. I was using H4895, but it has disappeared, then I went to 8208xbr before it got popular - but then it got popular

Now I only load 308 for the Grandkids, and they buy the powder (8208 for $55/lb).

I don't shoot accurate enough to want to bother with the old long stick powders. If it won't dispense accurately I don't use it - no patience for trickling.

armoredman · May 20, 2024, 05:06 PM

I use TAC for 5.56mm, .308, and 6.5 Grendel with good results.

snoeproe · May 20, 2024, 08:42 PM

My Varget prices are through the roof. My last batch of 300 savage I loaded, I used some H335 instead of the higher priced Varget.

georgehwbush · May 21, 2024, 12:04 AM

i have really grown to like the rl-10x for the 223/5.56 i get good performance out of it. but yes i admit it is too high.

armoredman · May 22, 2024, 10:32 PM

Anything Reloder is now out of production, since Alliant is suspending canister powder sales due to world wide shortage of nitrocellulose, as I have been told. i got good results with RL 15 and RL 7 in 5.56mm as well, but now, that data will just gather dust.

2ndtimer · May 22, 2024, 11:42 PM

I have burned through about 50 pounds of TAC over the years, primarily in .223/5.56, but also found decent results in .308 Win, .338 Federal and .30-30. I haven’t tried it in 22-250, but it is supposed to work with light bullets. Thankfully, I have a decent supply of powders, some of which are no longer available, while others have priced me out of their market. (Looking at you, IMR-4064)

May 20, 2024, 12:02 PM	#1
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,686	Well, Looks Like I am All In On TAC Powder For Now My old favorites 4064 and 4895, along with the most popular stand-ins, are either unobtanium or cost $60+ a pound (or both). I'm not at crisis level yet, as I still have a smidgen of 4064 (about 2 pounds) left and most of my brass is currently loaded... but I want to stock up on components to get me through the next few years. Looks like Ramshot TAC can load everything I shoot. It may be a bit of a compromise powder, but I've found load data that seems to say it suitable for all of the major WW2 Era service rifle calibers (.303, 7.7 Jap, 7.5 Swiss, 8mm, etc). Which makes sense since it's close to H4895 on the comparison burn rate chart. Plus I can get it for $40 per pound. Which still feels like highway robbery, but it's the time we live in and a heap better than $60+ per pound. Anything I need to know specifically about TAC? Anyone had success with using it for reduced cast loads? I actually found data from Western powder circa 2019, just before the buyout, with cast lead .30-30. I looked at accurate 2700 and 2230 also, as they can (could) be found for ~$40 per pound or so. Until I no longer saw 2700 locally or in stock at grafs, and I'm just not sure on 2230. As a side not jas anyone else decided to switch powders because of price? __________________ Support the NRA-ILA Auction, ends 03/09/2018 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=593946

May 20, 2024, 01:12 PM	#2
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,339	Yes, I switched because of price. I moved my 223 reloading To Shooters World AR Plus - which is about $27/pound. I like TAC and I've burned a lot of it. It does work good in my 308 adventures but it is not as consistent as a stick powder. I was using H4895, but it has disappeared, then I went to 8208xbr before it got popular - but then it got popular Now I only load 308 for the Grandkids, and they buy the powder (8208 for $55/lb). I don't shoot accurate enough to want to bother with the old long stick powders. If it won't dispense accurately I don't use it - no patience for trickling. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

May 22, 2024, 11:42 PM	#7
2ndtimer Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 294	I have burned through about 50 pounds of TAC over the years, primarily in .223/5.56, but also found decent results in .308 Win, .338 Federal and .30-30. I haven’t tried it in 22-250, but it is supposed to work with light bullets. Thankfully, I have a decent supply of powders, some of which are no longer available, while others have priced me out of their market. (Looking at you, IMR-4064) __________________ NRA Endowment Member

May 20, 2024, 05:06 PM	#3
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,336	I use TAC for 5.56mm, .308, and 6.5 Grendel with good results.

May 20, 2024, 08:42 PM	#4
snoeproe Member Join Date: December 10, 2023 Posts: 39	My Varget prices are through the roof. My last batch of 300 savage I loaded, I used some H335 instead of the higher priced Varget.

May 21, 2024, 12:04 AM	#5
georgehwbush Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2023 Location: down town USA Posts: 303	i have really grown to like the rl-10x for the 223/5.56 i get good performance out of it. but yes i admit it is too high.

May 22, 2024, 10:32 PM	#6
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,336	Anything Reloder is now out of production, since Alliant is suspending canister powder sales due to world wide shortage of nitrocellulose, as I have been told. i got good results with RL 15 and RL 7 in 5.56mm as well, but now, that data will just gather dust.