Hey everyone Ammunitiontogo.com has some more 5.56 TAP ammo back in stock
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php/cName/223-556-hollow-point-ammo
Thanks for the tip. It’s always nice to lay in more of the good stuff, when given the chance. 
Check
thanks.
Thanks for the heads up.
No direct connection with them other than many, many satisfactory purchases accompanied with great customer service over the years. Good people.
Guess I am odd, but I bought 800 rounds of 5.56 TAP from another member here (when we were both at TOS) over 3 years ago and still have 780 of them left. Only needed 20 to give me the general feel, am content to leave it at that for now until things settle down a bit with the market.
Here’s a newbie (that would be me) question. For defensive ammunition is 75 gr heavy? (vs, say, 62 gr? Would it be stable enough at a 1:9 twist rate?) I would be using it in a RRA 16" chrome-lined bore with a 1:9 twist. (Gotta start learning somewhere…) Thanks!
yes, 75 grain is heavier than 62 gr. You should be fine with a 1:9 (key word should). Safe bet, buy a small amount and test fire out to say at least 100 yards to make sure you don’t key hole. Then stock up!
It works quite well in my RRA 16in and Colt HBAR 20in both with the 1:9 twist. More accurate than me and no keyholing at least to 75yards which is as long a range I can get to.
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Thanks! I knew that 75 grain was heavier (poorly worded on my part) but your answer helped. I had a friend with some experience suggest TAP 62 grain but A-T-G only has the 75gr in stock.
I’d best try a box to see what kind of results I get.
I’m also thinking about the Federal TRU (Tactical Rifle, Urban) which I understand is designed to fragment, or possibly just a 55 gr softpoint as a short range defensive round.
I take it this is for NATO chambers only?
The 5.56 pressure TAP, yes.
are the primers crimped on those??? because i know the .223 55 gr. TAP are not crimped.
Actually this is not 5.56 TAP - it appears to be an older version of .223 TAP. I received a case today. It’s in red boxes, but marked:
#80265
223 REM
75 gr TAP PRECISION
Muzzle 2630 fps
According to Molon’s review of the 5.56 Vs the 223 FPD Tap this is possibly a discontinued item. From his article:
75 grain BTHP TAP Precision: catalog #80265 223 Remington
This load is the forerunner to the TAP FPD load. This load uses the T1 bullet with a cannelure and has a firm taper crimp on the case neck. This load also uses extruded powder and has a velocity similar to 75 grain TAP FPD. The primers are not crimped and the cases are plain brass. It is packaged in a red TAP box. This load is no longer listed in Hornady’s catalog and I’m assuming it is no longer being produced due to the introduction of the following load.
I think it has changed the original link showed a black label with 5.56 and the new T-2 bullet.I guess they sold out of it and now they are posting the .223 TAP.
It looked like this:D
Is there DIY load data for this cartridge? I’d rather not spend near $1/round for it.
I load 24.6 grains of TAC (this is over max though, so work up) with 75 grain Hornady and it is identical velocity to 75 gr. 5.56 TAP rds. This is in Winch. brass.
Hornady 75 Grain Loads
Here is a little “visual catalog” of the different loads that Hornady produces using a 75 grain bullet. I thought it might help clear up some of the confusion pertaining to the various loads offered by Hornady.
75 grain BTHP MATCH: catalog #8026
223 Remington
This load uses the 75 grain BTHP “T1” bullet without a cannelure. (The is the same bullet that is available as a reloading component.) The case neck does have a very slight taper crimp. The powder used is a short cut extruded type. The lots of this load that I have chronographed have had velocities similar to or slightly higher than the velocities of the 75 grain TAP FPD load (depending on the barrel.)
75 grain BTHP TAP Precision: catalog #80265
223 Remington
The original version of this load was referred to as “TAP Precision” while the more recent version has dropped the “Precision” nomenclature. Both versions come in a red box, but the newer version uses the same style of label on the box that the 5.56 TAP ammunition uses, adding to the confusion.
This load is the forerunner to the TAP FPD load. This load uses the T1 bullet with a cannelure and has a firm taper crimp on the case neck. This load also uses extruded powder and has a velocity similar to 75 grain TAP FPD. The primers are not crimped and the cases are plain brass.
original
current
75 grain TAP FPD (For Personal Defense): catalog #80268
223 Remington
I think this is the load that started a lot of the confusion about the various 75 grain loads offered by Hornday. First off, the ammo comes in a black box. The box is still labeled as “TAP”, but it also has the “For Personal Defense” title on it. Besides the black box, this round also has the “black nickel” coated cases giving the round its distinctive appearance.
Other than the black box and black case the round is basically the same as the 75 grain BTHP TAP Precision load. It uses the T1 bullet with a cannelure and crimped case neck as well as the extruded powder. It does not have crimped primers. The muzzle velocity of this load runs around 2640 fps from a 20” chrome lined, NATO chambered Colt barrel.
Hornady 75 grain TAP FPD 2009
Since its introduction, Hornady TAP FPD ammunition has been loaded in black-nickel coated cases. According to Hornady these “revolutionary” cases “eliminate the potential for corrosion and improve feeding in all firearms.”
Starting in 2009, TAP FPD ammunition is being loaded in “revolutionary” silver-nickel coated cases and according to Hornady these cases “eliminate the potential for corrosion and improve feeding in all firearms.” Hornady also states that these newest cases “are easier to see in low-light conditions and when checking for loaded chambers.”
TAP 5.56 X 45
75 grain BTHP/WC T2: catalog #8126N
This is the NATO pressure load. It comes in a red TAP box, but the side panel is clearly labeled 5.56 X 45. The panel has a disclaimer that reads “NOT FOR USE IN 223 CHAMBERS.” I think this load is confused with the 75 grain BTHP TAP Precision load because they both come packaged in the red TAP box.
One of the biggest features of this round besides being loaded to NATO pressures is the new T2 bullet. The ogive of the T2 bullet is shorter than the T1 bullet and the T2 bullet has a longer bearing surface than the T1 bullet. The T2 bullets also have incredibly uniform meplats giving the loaded round a more uniform overall length. It is reported that the shape of the bullet was designed so as to improve feeding in the M4 platform.
The T2 bullet has a cannelure and the case neck has a firm taper crimp. The primers for this load are crimped in place and the primer itself is reported to be a “mil-spec” primer. The more recent lots of this load have sealed primers. Contrary to advertisements, none of the lots of this load that I have seen have a sealed case mouth. This load uses ball powder and has a muzzle velocity of around 2820 fps from a 20” chrome lined, NATO chambered barrel.
I’d like to dispel the rumor that the TAP 5.56 X 45 load uses a large rifle primer. This is completely false and can be proved with the application of a tiny bit of science. The nominal diameter for small rifle primers is 0.175 inches.* De-priming a fired TAP 5.56 X 45 case and measuring the spent primer with digital calipers shows the primer has a diameter of 0.174”.
75 grain Practice: catalog #9760
223 Remington
This load comes in a white, 50 round box. The distinctive feature about this round is the Berdan primed steel case that it uses. This load uses the T1 bullet with a cannelure and taper crimp. The load is charged with ball powder and has velocities similar to the 75 grain TAP FPD load.
*The ABC’s of Reloading, page 45.
Molon,
Do you know what kind of BTHP that Hornady uses in their 75gr steel cased training load? I know that Hornady doesn’t recommend it for duty use, but if it is a good bullet design perhaps it would offer better terminal effects than mil spec M193.
Blems of the T1C.
Hrmm, but I see a cannelure on the pictures of the practice load above. Is a different bullet used in the 9760 verus the 9760EL?