458 win mag loads with TAC powder....anyone?

[michael458]

Has anyone loaded the 458 wm using TAC? I see a lot with AA2230 but didn't find any around.
I want to load some 450 TSX in the .458 win mag and found some Ramshot TAC locally so bought a few pounds. This will be for a distant buffalo hunt. I want a reliable round with good velocity in my Model 70. I know the gurus @TOBY458 and @Michel458 will have some good direction......at least I hope so.

I am going to have to make some corrections on some of the earlier thoughts. While it is true, AA 2230 is considered a "Go To Powder" for 458 Winchester, it is not a powder that I am endeared to personally. First, I can't really find a good use for it other than 458 Winchester. Second, I mentioned some inconsistencies along the way, and along with several tests conducted over the years from 2011 to 2022. I don't like inconsistency. When you batch a certain vintage, and get the data, you are good with it.

I stated I did not have data in 2022 with the 450 weight class with TAC, this is true, I did not. But recent questions caused me to look deeper into the 2013 data and I did have some good tests with the 450 #13 Solids with TAC, and TAC did very good at that time. This would be comparison to the 450 Barnes Solid data that LD listed above......... It would NOT equate to the longer TSX bullet keep in mind..........

@Letzhunt ........... I recommended that you find some AA 2230, I am going to rescind that statement, and I believe that you are just as well off with the TAC, perhaps more so as I have found TAC very consistent over the years. I believe you can equal results with TAC.

And on further study this morning of both my 2013 data and the 2022 data I believe I would also choose these powders over AA 2230, consistency being the primary issue. X-Terminator and IMR 8208.... other good probables are H-4895, Benchmark, and V-N530.

 

[jnmullins]

I loaded some Barnes 450TSX last night for my 458 - 72.5gr of TAC in Norma cases, seated to just below the first groove to fit in the magazine of my rifle. The powder is compressed, but not heavily, and definitely not to the point that it is concerning; I would describe it as mild compression. Past loads with H335 and AA2230 require a lot more compression to seat 500gr RN Hornadys to the cannelure.

 

[Letzhunt]

Thanks all for the info. I'm going to do some loads with TAC and see where it gets me. My LGS has several lbs of the same lot and has had it a while so If it works well I'll grab the rest of that lot and be set.
I almost bought it all to begin with but thought I'd wait. Watch with my luck it will shoot awesome and I'll go back to an empty shelf.
I'm also go through the small steps to make the mag box and longer and the other little changes to make it a 458wm+. Lots of info on it and it can be made to outperform the Lott.