Tips for stubborn Tapcon concrete pins?

[STANG302]

Started our project to finish our basement this weekend. Got first section of wall up and tried out my Tapcon HS22 gun with yellow shot and 3" nail/pins. It did not go well. House is about 5 years old and the basement floor is a fiber mix. Shooting through green treat it barely engaged and the sabot was still loose. Tried pre drilling the green treat and it made no difference.

Using the yellow shot I didn't think I'd have an issue. Would like to avoid drilling concrete if at all possible. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[Rusted Nut]

That’s too long a nail. You need a 2 1/4” nail for 2x plate; with red or purple shot. I never use a powder accumulated tool for wood sill plates; just use 2 1/2” x 1/4” lead drop ins.

 

[cretedog]

Or 1/4" x 2-3/4" hex head Tapcons...

 

[nadogail]

Load a Second Round into your Powder Actuated Tool.
Sometimes One Shot just isn’t enough.

 

[mike93lx]

I agree, too long of a nail. You won't gain anything over a 2-1/4

 

[The Cobbler]

expecting a nail to go 1-1/2" in to concrete is what the issue is . as said use a shorter nail or use 2-1/4 tapcons

 

[STANG302]

The length of nail/pin makes perfect sense. Was told to use 3" but that must be with the larger .27 red shot to punch it down that extra bit. Will pick up a shorter 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 nail/pins. And good tip on hitting it twice if it doesn't fully engage, which I don't think it entirely needs to. But its got to be better than the loosy goosy I have now.

Thank you all.

 

[STANG302]

Swung by Menards and the only sizes available from Tapcon there were 2 & 2 1/2. Went with the 2 1/2 hopefully it works out a bit better.