Thanks. I was running low on 4064, so I went ahead and bought a 8# jug of Tac. Also grabbed a box of 77 grain Barnes bullets too. My Bergers are sold out.
I've had really good results with the pistol stuff over the years. Very clean too. I was hoping the same would be true on rifle. I have a bunch of N135 left too. I have a killer 62 grain FMJBT load for my 16" carbine that I can use it for.
Don't hesitate to get 77gr SMKs; they're always on the shelf. It's the base bullet for MK262. Since the powders are blended for it, it's hard to get it going that fast without pressure signs or accuracy loss...and they like a crimp. TAC and 8208XBR are a couple you can get there. It'd be the same with the Bergers.
I have actually been looking at that and possibility running an adjustable gas block if loading these hotter doesn't provide decent accuracy. The reason my load is so light was the SD and group it produced. When I got closer to max with N133, groups opened up past an inch and SD's went as high as 40. My current load was just shy of 1/2" and 7.6 SD.
Pretty impressed with Tac so far. Meters really really well. 18 out of 20 drops were 21.5 grains with two being 21.6.
I have 20 loads ready for this weekend.
I have 20 loads ready for this weekend.
@JEVapa
Do you know the specs of this data by chance? Twist, Barrel Length, Temp?
These were my findings:
21.5
21.7
22.0
22.3
This was the best group and just over an inch for 5 shots. I was impressed with it, but no clue what happened to my chrono. Same location of chrono, same location of rifle, no wind, chrono light on the entire time, but I'd assume this is 2458 FPS.
No pressure signs on the brass at all. I think I will work up a tad more and see what kind of velocity I can get and groups. I just wish that last SD was better. 25 isn't the end of the world, but I can do better.
I left the ammo in the bed of my truck over night and went from the bed to the rifle, so it was cold. Great thing about shooting in 31 degree weather, barrel stays pretty good.
Last edited:
Also, I'm calling my issue fixed!
Prior to each 5 shot group, I fired one round of M855 to warm my barrel. Bolt locked backed on empty mag. 5 test loads inserted, all 5 fired with zero issues and bolt locked back on the empty mag. Did this will 3 different mags I brought.
I appreciate everyones help. If anyone knows a member here who would like a years subscription to the forum, let me know. I want to pay it forward for the help I received.
Thanks OSA
Prior to each 5 shot group, I fired one round of M855 to warm my barrel. Bolt locked backed on empty mag. 5 test loads inserted, all 5 fired with zero issues and bolt locked back on the empty mag. Did this will 3 different mags I brought.
I appreciate everyones help. If anyone knows a member here who would like a years subscription to the forum, let me know. I want to pay it forward for the help I received.
Thanks OSA
nice to help people when we can! ( i had no input on this subject )
Are you talking about the pdf I attached? If so, no, other than the info they give at the top.
Notes: Case trim length: 1.750; COAL: 2.260"; barrel length: 24"; NOTE: An 80.5 grain Berger Match Fullbore Target bullet can also be used for the 80 grain data. WARNING - Approach maximum loads with caution. (Berger Bullets Reloading Manual 1st Edition)
This is probably a 1-9 or 1-8 max.
Looking at your groups...it looks like you are using an electronic scale that's cold...or you're using a throw bar, or both. Just an assumption because your SD and ES should be way smaller...those are Lake City kind of spreads.
My scale will get all squirrely like that so I have to cal it often or bring it in the house.
Another thing is that your chrono looks like it's about to S**t the bed, or it doesn't like the cold. See if you can get a hold of a labadar, magnetospeed, or an Oehler to confirm. None of those speeds match up with the charges you have listed.
Don't forget a crimp
This is off Hodgdon for 77 gr SMK:
Ramshot TAC 0.224" 2.260" 21.1 2,483 49,100 PSI 23.4 2,759 54,500 PSI
Similar threads
