Tac powder and 69gr SMK

[42769vette]

I know getting load info off the internet is a bad idea, but I'm curious.

I have a 8 twist 18" barrel inbound for a precision(ish) AR. I dont need BR groups, but I would like to see MOA groups. I want to try the 69 SMK, but my go to load for this bullet is with Varget. I want to load these out of my 1050, and the 1050 doesnt like Varget, so I was wondering if anyone had tried TAC.

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

I have TAC data at the house, let me get home for the holidays and I'll dig it out. I'm 20" barrel though.

 

[42769vette]

I have TAC data at the house, let me get home for the holidays and I'll dig it out. I'm 20" barrel though.

Doubt it matters enough that a coyote will know the difference. Im basically looking for SUCCESS vs FAILURE.

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

Have you tried Benckmark? It is supposedly Varget but cut finer to eliminate metering issues in systems like Dillon's powder bar drop. I run it along with 69gr smk's in 1:9 Twist 16" barrels with MOA accuracy.

 

[42769vette]

Have you tried Benckmark? It is supposedly Varget but cut finer to eliminate metering issues in systems like Dillon's powder bar drop. I run it along with 69gr smk's in 1:9 Twist 16" barrels with MOA accuracy.

No I have not. Truth be told, I would load on my single stage with Varget before stocking another powder.

 

[Woobie]

I have no experience with TAC. We have seen good things out of 8208 XBR and CFE223 behind 77gn TMK's. I don't know if the 8208 is too slow for 69 grain or not. I must admit I haven't tried either on a Dillon, though.

 

[avboiler11]

+1 for 8208XBR.

I use it with Lee Perfect Powder measure thrown charges under 77gr Noslers and get 3/4 MOA from a 18" 1:8 BHW rifle gas barrel. Great velocity, too.

 

[NyleRN]

24gr of IMR 4320 set to 2.25-2.26
Here's a sample target of mine with above load behind the 69gr SMK out of an 18" LaRue barrel. AllenM happened to be spotting me when I shot this.

 

[bocefus78]

I have used tac and it meters great. I however have NOT used it with 69smk.

Here is the data from the manufacturer in case you haven't looked at it yet:

69 SIERRA HPBT MK 21.9 2,671 24.3 2,921 54,687 2.260

source: http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WesternLoadGuide1-2016_Web-1.pdf

 

[Slapstick]

I've used a lot of TAC over the years. I like it due to it's metering characteristics, clean burning with the added bonus of a copper reducing agent. The best load I've worked up for the 69 gr SMK is 23.9 grains which out of a Green Mountain 18" 1/8 twist barrel gives consistent groups hovering around 1 moa. stepping up the 77 grain SMK's with 23.1 grains gives me consistent .75 moa out of the same rifle. Your mileage may vary considerably and as always WORK UP FROM THE LIGHTEST LOAD DATA. TAC works best in .223 with the heavier bullet weights but I found that it's not so good with the lighter bullets, (<62). It gives acceptable accuracy, (about 2 moa) but not as good as other powders.

Lately I've been working with BLC2, which meters just as well as TAC but it's giving me a little tighter groups with the lighter bullets, (about .75 moa with 55 grain Nosler FB tipped Varmageddon). I still need to work up a load with heavier bullets but it's promising.

 

[Leo]

I will 2nd the good results with IMR 8208xbr. I have also had some very good groups with the 69 MK over Accurate arms 2460. It is a very fine ball power that goes through a powder measure perfectly.

 

[42769vette]

Goal here it to not stock a new powder. I can always stick with varget. I have a handful loaded waiting on a barrel to test them out of.

 

[sloughfoot]

24 grains of TAC, WSR primers, mixed brass works great for me. No prep on multi fired cases.

 

[patience0830]

I've loaded a bunch of ammo with Tac but haven't had time to shoot any so I'm not much help that way. I'm curious though, why the match bullets for hunting 'yotes? 50 gr varmint bullets would have been my first choice.

 

[42769vette]

I've loaded a bunch of ammo with Tac but haven't had time to shoot any so I'm not much help that way. I'm curious though, why the match bullets for hunting 'yotes? 50 gr varmint bullets would have been my first choice.

All my coyote rifles double as range rifles. If I develop a load for 50gr varmint bullets and take them out to 800 yds, you know what will happen. Im not developing 2 loads, and having 2 zeros, and having 2 dope charts. I know everyone says "dont hunt with a match bullet" but Ive killed about 30 with SMK/AMAX bullets that you cant hunt with. Baiscally the SMK will do both my job's, the 50gr will do one job.

 

[patience0830]

All my coyote rifles double as range rifles. If I develop a load for 50gr varmint bullets and take them out to 800 yds, you know what will happen. Im not developing 2 loads, and having 2 zeros, and having 2 dope charts. I know everyone says "dont hunt with a match bullet" but Ive killed about 30 with SMK/AMAX bullets that you cant hunt with. Baiscally the SMK will do both my job's, the 50gr will do one job.

I'm not one to argue with success. Just wondered about the logic. Sounds like you need another rifle dedicated to the 50 gr to me.

 

[42769vette]

I'm not one to argue with success. Just wondered about the logic. Sounds like you need another rifle dedicated to the 50 gr to me.

I just dont care for light bullets. My coyote shots can get north of 600 pretty easily, and you have been here, its ALWAYS windy.

 

[patience0830]

I just dont care for light bullets. My coyote shots can get north of 600 pretty easily, and you have been here, its ALWAYS windy.

I can't shoot much more than 400 anyplace around here but this new 6.5 Creedmoor has me interested in looking for more distance. Your .260 would be a better bet on those long ones. Sometimes you gotta run what you brung though. I understand.

 

[mac45]

Have tried TAC (and others) w/ 69 SMK, always come back to Varget.

 

[oldpink]

Ramshot's own data lists the starting load with the 69 grain SMK as 22.7 grains of TAC and 25.2 grain at max.
The barrel used with their data was 24", so yours will obviously be lower, but their measured MV for both loads are 2704 and 3004.