Howdy guys,
I have been working towards an MOA or better accurate 5.56MM NATO pressure 70gr. TSX load for about 3 years now. Looking to handload something similar to the 5.56MM Optimized Brown Tip loading. Have had very limited success with longer/shorter/different twist barrels other than this COLT 14.5" SOCOM weight 1x7 barrel (group below). The basic load itself has now been published by Barnes (http://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/5.56-Nato.pdf) but it should be approached with due caution as it is full 5.56MM pressure loading developing near NATO maximum pressure. TAC varies lot-to-lot. I have fired close to 1000 TSX factory cartridges/handloads so far with: varied COAL from 2.200"-2.260", varied charge weight, different powders such as TAC/RL15/H4895/AA2520/Varget/H335/VV540/etc, the 62gr TSX, etc. No other barrel has even approached this accuracy level with either the 62gr. or 70gr. TSX bullets in factory or handloaded cartridge. Not sure what else to try at this point & am hoping someone might be working along similar lines. If so, LMK what has worked for you. And if anybody has already tested or does test this bullet in their Colt 14.5" SOCOM barrel or other similar barrel, info would be appreciated. TIA.
70gr. TSX in #41 primed virgin LC case over TAC seated to 2.245" COAL fired suppressed @100yds MV 2803 FPS in 14.5" Colt 1x7:
I have been working towards an MOA or better accurate 5.56MM NATO pressure 70gr. TSX load for about 3 years now. Looking to handload something similar to the 5.56MM Optimized Brown Tip loading. Have had very limited success with longer/shorter/different twist barrels other than this COLT 14.5" SOCOM weight 1x7 barrel (group below). The basic load itself has now been published by Barnes (http://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/5.56-Nato.pdf) but it should be approached with due caution as it is full 5.56MM pressure loading developing near NATO maximum pressure. TAC varies lot-to-lot. I have fired close to 1000 TSX factory cartridges/handloads so far with: varied COAL from 2.200"-2.260", varied charge weight, different powders such as TAC/RL15/H4895/AA2520/Varget/H335/VV540/etc, the 62gr TSX, etc. No other barrel has even approached this accuracy level with either the 62gr. or 70gr. TSX bullets in factory or handloaded cartridge. Not sure what else to try at this point & am hoping someone might be working along similar lines. If so, LMK what has worked for you. And if anybody has already tested or does test this bullet in their Colt 14.5" SOCOM barrel or other similar barrel, info would be appreciated. TIA.
70gr. TSX in #41 primed virgin LC case over TAC seated to 2.245" COAL fired suppressed @100yds MV 2803 FPS in 14.5" Colt 1x7:
Last edited:
