Last year, I bought a box of MidwayUSA blems, 80 gr. .224 bullets.

I hadn't seen bullets like that before, couldn't find any like them in the bullet catalogs. I did run across Hornady TAC SBR ammo, but it's all 75 gr. no mention of 80 gr. These bullets look a lot like those.

http://www.hornadyle.com/products/rifle-ammunition/556-nato/75-gr-tap-sbr

My guess, Hornady made a batch of TAC SBR 80 gr. bullets, just never used them. Probably moved too slow in the .223 TAC SBR format.

Well, they move at around 3k fps in an 8 twist .22-250, ahead of 35 gr. H-4350, I was surprised at how well they shot. By the time I got around to discovering that, they were no longer available. So, I have what's left of a box of 100. I did load up a batch for hogs.

For short barreled rifles (SBR), I'm wondering if they may be a bit soft, as they weren't designed for 3K. I haven't killed anything yet, guess I'll find out.

DF

Interesting, you know some of the LE type .223 bullets are bonded for better penetration through windshields and such. I wonder if those are bonded? Might be a spectacular hog/deer killer if they are bonded but kinda of soft.

Wish now I had a few hundred rather than just part of a box.

There isn't much info on them, just what you read on the ammo site. The bullets, as far as I know, aren't listed.

DF

I doubt I could shoot another .2" group, but this gun will group 1/2" all day with 80 gr. A-Max and 80 gr. VLD with that same charge of H-4350. I'm down to one can, Powder Valley shows not in stock/no B.O.

I do have a can of 4451, burn rate seems pretty close. I'm going to have to convert if I can't find 4350.

Anyone making this substitution, I would appreciate your experience, advice.

DF

I that a lot. I can count the groups I have shot that small on one hand even if the rifle was up to the task. I bet the would be great for deer and pigs alike but I would set up some milk jugs for a test for my own confidence first.

Have one group like that. Others were good, just not quite as good. I stopped at three rounds, didn't trust a fourth bullet to land inside that cloverleaf...

That's a lucky group, for sure. I can count on half inch, however. For some reason this 8 twist Shilen seems to slightly favor 80's over 75's. And that conclusion is based on a number of groups, a variety of bullet types.

All I can say, an 8 twist .224 will definitely stabilize 80 gr slugs.

DF

I know how you feel, I was down to 1 lb of H4350, and needed it to feed my 6.5CM, .30-06 and .270. It does come into stock on PV occasionally, just doesn't stay around long, it pays to check every day. I checked one day and they had 1lb jugs in so I picked up 5 with the plan of that lasting me until I could find a decently priced 8lb jug somewhere... We'll see.

I just bought 3lbs of Reloder 16, it's supposed to be temp stable, and at least according to Alliant's data gives great velocities, up there with RL 17. Trying it out this weekend.

I've been checking and seems some like 4451 even better than H-4350. So, I will try it.

I'm even looking for a can of RL-16.

DF

It's actually TAP SBR, not TAC.

TAC belongs to Barnes...

Just saw that.

DF