AR Loaders - Why TAC over Benchmark?

Rick James

Rick James

New member
I see a lot of guys using TAC over Benchmark for loading .223 in their AR's.

Any specific reasons why?

I'm thinking about trying TAC, but not sure if it makes sense. I know you can get a bit more speed, and that it's clean burning, but not sure if there are other benefits. Is TAC cleaner burning than Benchmark?

How consistent is TAC compared to Benchmark in different outside temps? Are my loads going to hit the same spot when winter yote hunting, as compared to shooting groundhogs in the summer?

 
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I haven't tried TAC but Benchmark leaves me wanting for nothing. Maybe once I've used this 8# jug, I'll try something else...
 
I'm kinda thinking the same thing, but now getting close to the end of the jug of Benchmark. I've got a new upper that was delivered today, and plan on doing a lot of shooting........gonna need another jug soon.

Also, I've got one of the new Mark AR scopes sitting in the man cave that has the T2 turret made for a 55gr 3100fps round. Gonna be hard to match that with a 16" barrel, so I have been thinking about trying a bit faster of a powder. Just want to see if there is any good reason NOT to before I drop the $$$ on a big jug of this stuff.
 
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I use them both in the .223. Some loads like one powder over the other. Benchmark is remarkably easy to light, and has a good temperature profile. TAC has a lower flame temperature and meters well, even in cheap powder measures,and gives a bit more velocity with most bullets. We did have a customer complain because his ammunition loaded with TAC was giving very low velocities.....at -35F!!!!!
John
 
I think for you lighter bullets 60gr and below, Xterminator will give you better results than TAC. This has been my experience. I've seen literally no difference in accuracy between Xterminator and BM from my 16" AR, so I've been loading the Xterm as it's cheaper and flows like water. YMMV
 
I use both XTerm and Benchmark. As stated previously, XTerm is cheaper by about $4.00 a pound and meters very well. Bench, while accurate, requires weighing for every load.

For 40grn plinking out of my Bushy ORC, I use XTerm. I will continue to weigh each charge of Bench for my coyote hunts.
 
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