Several times in the past (10-12 years ago) I had received load data by email for specific cartridges (45/70 and 6mm Remington) from the excellent people at Ramshot. This was data not published in their reloading manual, but loads they had developed data for and were willing to share with me. In fact, I stopped in once when passing through Miles City and got a brief tour and everyone there was exceptionally welcoming.

The point of this post is to share that things appear to have changed under Hodgdon's management. Recently, I sent an email inquiry about using Ramshot TAC in the 348 Winchester with cast bullets and was told there was no data available. I am sure this is probably true, very little new data is likely developed given the relatively few individuals shooting the .348, however, my past experience with Ramshot was they were more willing to make helpful suggestions.

As Ramshot TAC has a burn rate slightly faster than IMR 4895, I would think there would be a useable load using TAC with 220 grain cast bullets at moderate velocities (1500-2000 fps), unless there is an issue with case capacity/load density?

Any insight to developing a cast bullet load as above would be welcome. I have a lifetime supply of TAC and would like to use it for the .348 if feasible.

Thanks

While TAC does have a burn-rate very similar to IMR 4895, but it sounds like you want to work up a reduced load--which might not be safe with TAC. Though in my experience with the .348, you might get by with a 2000-fps cast-bullet load, because cast bullets create a little more pressure than jacketed. (This seems backwards, but its true. You can check it by looking at data using both cast and jacketed bullets with the same powders.)

I checked Hodgdon's data for IMR4895, and if you decide to try a TAC load, would suggest starting at around 40 grains, and seeing what the velocity is.

So what business(es) are the folks in Miles City still in? I believe they sold off distributing Accurate powder as well .... yeah?

They still distributing Norma powders? If so I wish they would push to distribute more URP, MRP, and 204.

Thank you.

From what I understand, the entire powder business in Miles City was sold to Hodgdon. Don't know exactly what they're doing now, but when I was assigned an article on Ramshot Hunter for the latest Hodgdon Annual Manual (which just came out), I needed a couple empty canisters for photos, as those I had were kind scuffed up. Phoned Miles City, and was informed I had to contact Hodgdon itself for the canisters.

I tried TAC for a Cast 290 grain bullet in the 35 Whelen and had limited success. I had one hang fire and one squib at 41 grains using CCI 250 primers. Necks were telling me that the pressure was low as they were well smoked. I also had enough to go bang to find that both AA 2015 and IMR 4759 gave better groups so I gave up on that. TAC at normal pressures is a good powder for this class of bores I think but not reduced.
Using observation as the sole input for science is a cliff but, TAC seems to produce more heat in the barrel than anything I shoot. Not sure if my fingers are lying to me or not but it seems to be true. I have used it in the 35 Whelen, the 30-06 and in the 458WM all with Cast. I used it in the '06 with jacketed 150's as well.

The other potential problem with TAC is that unless loaded to near 60,000 PSI, it tends to burn very dirty, I suspect because the deterrent coatings used are designed to burn themselves at that pressure--unlike many older spherical powders that burn dirty at ANY pressure. Once pressures get up around 60,000, it's one of the cleanest burning powders around (as are the other Belgian-made Ramshot powders), but not at lower pressures.

Interesting. Does this clean burning @ higher pressure attribute also apply to Hunter & Big Game? (I noticed my 6.5CM load using Hunter was dirtier at a starting load that my daughter was enjoying but didn’t think much of it until reading your post)

Looking at data for the 356 Win and 358 Winchester in Western Powder's data, there is no listing for TAC in either. That pretty much says not a good option. They show a load for aa 2015, 36.9 - 41 Grains with a 206 Lead bullet, which is similar speed but way better suited for Cast than TAC.

If you want to give TAC a try, I suggest you look at Hodgdon 356 Win data for H335. I did and see 48-49 grains for a 200 jacketed bullet. That also tells me the range of acceptable is narrow with that class of ball powder. Your interpretation may vary.

I copied this .358 Win / TAC load data from a Campfire post years ago. According to its OP, it was provided by Western Powders support. I tried TAC in the .358 Win using jacketed bullets and this data, and the results were "meh". Max loads were compressed and gave signs of over-pressure in my bolt gun. I've reverted to Varget for 200gr and Win748 for 250gr and will remain there.
***START LOW; WORK UP***

Powder: Ramshot – TAC®.

Bullet weight: 180 grains.
Start load: 48.0grains (2250 – 2350 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 53.0grains (2575 – 2675 Ft/p/sec). Full case/Compressed.

Bullet weight: 200 grains.
Start load: 43.0grains (2300 – 2350 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 48.0grains (2450 – 2550 Ft/p/sec). Full case/Compressed.

Bullet weight: 225 grains.
Start load: 41.0grains (2000 – 2100 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 46.0grains (2300 – 2400 Ft/p/sec). Full case/Compressed.

Bullet weight: 250 grains.
Start load: 39.0grains (1850 – 1950 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 44.0grains (2200 – 2300 Ft/p/sec). Full case/Compressed.

MD wrote an article comparing the 338 Federal and the 358 Win in Handloader, I believe. In it he had good loads for the 358 and TAC.

I got my data from Barnes, which tested it in their lab. It worked very well in my stainless Ruger Hawkeye--and has also worked well in my Savage 99.

Hello Mule Deer. Hope all is well with you and Aileen. A question about Ramshot …. With the sale to Hodgdon by Western Powders, will their cleaning products still still be available? And do you foresee any changes to their powders?

I noticed the new batch of TAC I just got in says made in Canada instead of made in Belgium. I sure hope it performs the same

lastround,

If you Goggle "Montana X-Treme gun cleaning products" the website pops right up, and apparently you can still order them.