Varget vs. TAC?

[DarkRose]

Hoping to find a decent all-in-one powder that will do .223, .308, and 7.62x54R.

I've heard Varget can do all three, and do it pretty well.

I've heard TAC can do .223 and .308 well, but not really heard anything about it in 7.62x54R...

Haven't planned any loads for the .308 or 7.62x54 yet (.308 isn't built yet), but the .223 will be pushing 69-77 grain bullets (depends on what it likes best). The .308 will probably be looking for accuracy as well. The 7.62x54 will be mainly a decent load for informal shooting. Hoping for better than off-the-shelf and surplus, but not hunting super accuracy (will be shot out of various Mosins, have 2 now, one original, one modified and bedded, planning a 3rd).



Any thoughts on which is better? Or is there a better third option? (That's somewhat easily available)

 

[Dave A]

I haven't found a powder that shoots better than Varget and there is load data for the 3 calibers you listed. The only problem with Varget is that it doesn't throw very well because it is a long extruded stick. I wanted to try some TAC but haven't been able to find it. On the Ramshot web site list load data for 223 and 308 but not for 7.62x54R. http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WP_LoadSpec_1-23-14.pdf
You might consider Hornady 68gr HPBT, I think it is just as accurate as the SMK 69gr and is cheaper.
Good luck

 

[teddy12b]

I'd agree with what Dave A just said abuot how well the powders throw. Back in the day, I used to reload everything with Varget because that was the new whiz bang thingy on the internet that everyone was talking about. Then during the '08 panic buying & shortages I couldn't find any of my beloved Varget and I heard something good about Ramshot TAC and it was on the shelf so I bought some. The difference between these two powders when it comes to how they meter out is night and day. I'm not the guy who gets his ammo within a tenth of a grain and says that's good enough. It's either right or it's wrong when it comes to my ammo.

I've used Ramshot Tac for bulk reloading of 55gr FMJ's, 55gr JSP's, and mostly my prized match accuracy load with a 69gr matchking. The TAC is accurate powder and the most accurate group I ever shot in my life was with 69gr matchkings over TAC. I put three bullets into a hole at 200 yards that was smaller than my thumbnail. I didn't even take a picture because I didn't want to just be one more guy on the internet with an unbelievable story.

If you're planning on reloading high precision match ammo with the varget you're going to meter every round, if you do the same thing you can use TAC and after 100 rounds you're going to be getting the exact same measurement. Ramshot TAC is absolutely an incredible powder and since I made the switch I don't even look for Varget anymore, I look for TAC. I'm not trying to slam Varget though it's a fine powder and I've many sub 1/2" groups using it, but for me it just comes down to the productivity that you gain while using TAC. I love to reload, but I've got a wife and three kids so if I can reload 300 rounds in the time it'd take me to load 50, I'm looking for the bigger production.

 

[DarkRose]

Well all the reloading equipment I'll be using is at dad's, and he'd heard the exact same thing about metering the Varget.

But he also just switched from a UniFlow to the lovely ChargeMaster and swears by it now, and he's pretty confident it can handle the Varget just fine. My mian issue was using the TAC for 7.62x54. Might just have to dig a little deeper with research. Seems like a lot of guys love it for accuracy in .223

Right now in my "accuracy rifle" I've just been using Hornady Match 75gr .223 when I can find it, that's why I decided it's time to start loading my own, so when I do that I'll be checking out 69, 75, and 77 grain bullets. (1-8" twist 26" White Oak barrel)

Edit: I just found an old post on THR, with a reply from Ramshot, as follows:


We suggest the following.
Caliber: 7.62x54Russian.
Barrel length: 24”
Powder: Ramshot - TAC

Bullet weight: 150 grains.
Start load: 45.0grains (2600 - 2700 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 49.0grains (2800 - 2900Ft/p/sec).

Bullet weight: 160 grains.
Start load: 42.0grains (2500 - 2600 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 47.0grains (2700 - 2800Ft/p/sec).

 

[teddy12b]

When I reloaded with varget it was using a rcbs chargemaster 1500 combo. Only way I could get it exact. With Tac, it's such a fine powder that it just throws perfectly.

 

[Broom_jm]

Either flavor of 4895 is also a decent choice for all three, particularly if you'll be shooting heavier projectiles from the 223. One of the advantages of H4895 is that you can create reduced recoil loads quite easily.

 

[DarkRose]

At the moment it may be a moot point as everywhere I'm browsing shows Varget, TAC, and 4895/H4895 as currently unavailable...

 

[DoctorThunder]

I haven't done a lot of looking at 7.62x54R, but here's my list of crossover .223/.308 powders. Taking a cursory glance at Hodgdon's site shows most of the Hodgdon powders I list here as working in all 3. As always, double check the manufacturer's load data before loading.

Accurate 2015
Accurate 2200
Accurate 2230
Accurate 2460
Accurate 2520
Accurate 5744
Alliant AR-Comp
Alliant Reloder 10X
Alliant Reloder 15
Hodgdon H322
Hodgdon H335
Hodgdon Benchmark
Hodgdon BL-C(2)
Hodgdon CFE 223
Hodgdon H4895
Hodgdon Varget
IMR 3031
IMR 4064
IMR 4320
IMR 4895
IMR 8208 XBR
Ramshot TAC
Ramshot X-Terminator
Vihtavuori N133
Vihtavuori N135
Vihtavuori N140
Winchester 748

 

[Cerberus]

DarkRose, if you go to Western Powder's website and send a querry to their techs about the 54R, they will most likely send you the information for the loads. Give them as much info on your components as possible, even barrel length and twist rate if you know such.

 

[sloughfoot]

[QUOTE.=DoctorThunder;5603353]I haven't done a lot of looking at 7.62x54R, but here's my list of crossover .223/.308 powders. Taking a cursory glance at Hodgdon's site shows most of the Hodgdon powders I list here as working in all 3. As always, double check the manufacturer's load data before loading.

Accurate 2015
Accurate 2200
Accurate 2230
Accurate 2460
Accurate 2520
Accurate 5744
Alliant AR-Comp
Alliant Reloder 10X
Alliant Reloder 15
Hodgdon H322
Hodgdon H335
Hodgdon Benchmark
Hodgdon BL-C(2)
Hodgdon CFE 223
Hodgdon H4895
Hodgdon Varget
IMR 3031
IMR 4064
IMR 4320
IMR 4895
IMR 8208 XBR
Ramshot TAC
Ramshot X-Terminator
Vihtavuori N133
Vihtavuori N135
Vihtavuori N140
Winchester 748[/QUOTE]

This+1. There are plenty of suitable powders. They all are "accurate".