Wild ES with Tac 223 Load

N_Turs · Thursday at 2:57 PM

Ok, So Im pretty new to loading rifle ammo. Just recently loaded up some 223 rounds for the Ar using Tac. I did some different charges around the lower end of the chart. All rounds loaded function fine and sense its just blaster ammo the accuracy was fine for what its being used for as well. My issue was the ES was 120 fps. I know tac isnt very temp stable but that seems like alot of variance. Im also in AZ so the morning temps were around 78 and midday 101.

What might I be missing thats causing the ES to be so high?
Im using FL sizing die with 21st mandrel about .002 tension with a slight crimp after seating because I was getting some bullet movement when charging rounds.

Loading on a dillon 650 using dillon powder drop.

Im trying to get better at loading these before I try and load some 77gr OTM's

Thanks in advance for any help

68ss396 · Thursday at 3:12 PM

What grain bullets were you using?

I dont have a lot of luck with TAC even though it meters easily, it should do alright with 77gr OTM.

If you have the patience for stick powder you can get low SD and ES, Ive had under 30 ES with Berger 77gr OTM out of a gas piston AR. Not practical to load if you shoot a ton.

N_Turs · Thursday at 3:54 PM

Loading 55gr FMJBT trying to stick with a powder thats easy for bulk loading

68ss396 · Thursday at 3:58 PM

TAC is better with a heavier bullet.

N_Turs · Thursday at 5:36 PM

This is what ive heard but have a bunch of it and it meters well so figured I might be ok using it. Is there another powder you'd recommend?

padom · Thursday at 6:02 PM

Heavier bullet and tac doesn't give me low SD, even throwing charges on a A&D with 77smk

simonp · Thursday at 7:38 PM

N_Turs said:
Loading 55gr FMJBT trying to stick with a powder thats easy for bulk loading

N_Turs said:
This is what ive heard but have a bunch of it and it meters well so figured I might be ok using it. Is there another powder you'd recommend?

I have had great luck using Shooters World AR Plus and Tactical Rifle with Hornady 55FMJBTs

rweaver00geo · Thursday at 9:32 PM

tac worked good with a 60 gr vmax and rem 7 1/2 primer. I see no reason it wouldnt work with the 55. Use a mag primer and add more powder, you might find better numbers closer to the max. Hopefully the accuracy will continue and you will find your load.

smoothy8500 · Thursday at 11:07 PM

N_Turs said:
different charges around the lower end of the chart.

Sometimes lower charges that don't sufficiently "fill" the case lead to inconsistent ignition.

simonp · Friday at 12:41 AM

I use Tac with 55 Bergers in one gun with very good results.

Just a matter of luck finding the right combination of barrel , bullet, brass, powder & primer that works best.

Franko · Friday at 1:13 AM

I worked on some load development for 64gr Nosler BSB's. Tac metered nicely but gave me about double the SD's of 8208 and AA2460 and similar performance. It's only one bullet/cartridge combo but I was not impressed.

smoothy8500 · Friday at 8:11 AM

N_Turs said:
FL sizing die with mandrel about .002 tension with a slight crimp after seating because I was getting some bullet movement

Not that this is related to your SD's, but an extra step that is working against you. The neck tension at .002" is insufficient for semi-auto. Just use the factory expander button that gives .004/.005" neck.

Dillon dropper sometimes need polishing and "tweaking" the springs and assembly to stay within a +/- 0.1gr range on powder drops.

Doom · Friday at 11:35 AM

N_Turs said:
Ok, So Im pretty new to loading rifle ammo. Just recently loaded up some 223 rounds for the Ar using Tac. I did some different charges around the lower end of the chart. All rounds loaded function fine and sense its just blaster ammo the accuracy was fine for what its being used for as well. My issue was the ES was 120 fps. I know tac isnt very temp stable but that seems like alot of variance. Im also in AZ so the morning temps were around 78 and midday 101.

What might I be missing thats causing the ES to be so high?
Im using FL sizing die with 21st mandrel about .002 tension with a slight crimp after seating because I was getting some bullet movement when charging rounds.

Loading on a dillon 650 using dillon powder drop.

Im trying to get better at loading these before I try and load some 77gr OTM's

Thanks in advance for any help

Unfortunately you really missed the boat. You told us it's an AR, the powder charge, and your ES, and pretty much nothing else. Yes you did tell us later it a Hornady 55gr FMJ. Without the actual load data, primer, case manufacturer, SD and number of rounds it's impossible to analyze your issue.

What could be the issue? It ranges from your "low charge weight" to "lack of neck tension" to "case capacities" or other issues.

Theoldguy · 2025-08-16T15:40:48-0400

TAC is a good powder and I use it for loads from 52 to 80 gr in the 223/5.56. That said, it is not the best powder for any of those applications. I can always seem to beat it with a good stick powder.

It seems to like warm loads better and magnum primers. I would try CCI 450s, if you have them. Rem 7 1/2 are almost as good. TAC was the powder that taught me primer choice matters, switching from 400s to 450s saw definite improvements.

Lightning8 · 2025-08-16T15:50:49-0400

I load 223 bolt gun loads (longer than AR mag length) with 75 and 80 ELDMs or 80 SMKs with TAC on a Dillon 550. Beauty of TAC is it flows great for the Dillon. The ammunition actually performs better than you would expect downrange on steel even with the higher SD/ES.

Theoldguy · 2025-08-16T16:22:09-0400

Dude, TAC and the 80gr SMK (or Nosler CC) was magic in my wife's F-TR rifle, mine shot it respectably as well. Never tried to push it too hard.

It was quick to reload, if you had prepped brass. Knowing the Kung Fu power of high BC, she wanted 90gr loads for 600 yard practice, but if you did not tell her, she would be perfectly happy with the performance of the 80s...

DeaconBlue · 2025-08-16T22:29:43-0400

You didn’t say what charge weight you’re running at other than lower end or what brass (mixed?). TAC likes to be hammered down on a little bit in my experience to get SD down. Main question is how does the target look?

The best SD I’ve ever gotten with TAC in a 10 shot string is 7 with 24.5gr under 77gr TMK and LC brass. Realistically this same charge with 77gr SMK and TMK averages about 15 in 40 shot strings. On the other hand, using the same charge with a 55gr and mixed brass gives much higher SD as expected.

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