Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles TAC vs CFE223

In these powder scarce times, would you have a preference for one of these over the other?

both look good for use from 223 to 308, ball powder, relatively cheap.

if both were available which would you choose and why

(I have only used TAC in 223 and seems fine)

I'm running TAC in my 223 and 308 and my son's 308. I've only used CFE223 in my 7mm-08 with 120's.

I use CFE 223 in my 223’s, works very well.

I have 20 pounds of TAC on hand for 223, 308 and 30-30. I'm not looking to switch anytime soon.

TAC is much more temp stable than CFE if that matters to you. I've used both, personally I am moving to VV N140 in that general burn range.

CFE223 is not the best bang for the buck, especially in a 223. For me it worked well in a 204 Ruger. However, even in that cartridge, TAC shined. Another one to look at is X-terminator. It's less money ($28 vs. $31) than TAC and works very well. I've made a switch to other Ramshot powders because they were available when others were not. That speaks volumes. They also never jacked up their prices like other manufactures did either.

Xterminator is a very good powder too, but not as versatile as TAC

they are both interchangeable it seems....

so the real selling feature would be availability wouldn't it?

about ANYTHING works well in a 223 and a 308... which is convenient in democRat created times like these...

I was also considering the in-between applications like 250 and 300 sav, and 30-30, maybe 25-35.

I think of those as classic 3031 territory, but wondering if TAC or CFE would get the nod for cartridges in between 223 and 308

Hunter is one I'm looking at because the price is so good. (in a different burn rate, NOT for 223 -308 range)

TAC never impressed me. CFE was better. Only two cartridges used in: .308 and .35 Whelen

Hunter and Big game are both great powders. If you have not tried it, I'd suggest you try it. I believe it is about $28 at midsouth and available a lot of times. I like using Hunter in my 7mm-08 and my 6.5x55. Excellent powder that gives consistent results.

sure, why not...

but guys like me don't need substitutes for 3031, because I'm always well stocked on it...

I tried TAC with 400 grain Woodies in my .405 WCF; my final load of a 5 shot string had zero ( 0 ) fps average deviation. Also accurate with 5 off hand shots into 10 inch ring at 50 yards. I quit there and went to RSA and shot this Cape Buff:


Chamber pressure topped out at 49,000 psi, a bit above recommended peak pressure for the 1895 .405.

I have since switched to VV N133 because of much (12,000 psi) lower peak chamber pressures (smooth curve, NO spikes).

50 g TAC, 130 ttsx in a 308 prints very tiny groups in my Tikka.

I'm using just a bit less TAC and getting 0.5 MOA groups beyond 400 yards.

There's a lot to like about TAC.


Okie John

I’ve never tried Tac but CFE223 is pretty much all I use in my 223. I need to give it a try in the 35 Whelen.