5.56 tracer loads

[jedboom]

I tried loading some 54 gr tracers and after half a dozen I have yet to have one light up. Anyone else having this trouble. I got them from Cabelas and they are obviously pull-downs. I am only shooting about 70-80 yards, do they take longer to light?

Also I loaded those 6 quite while ago and I don't remember what powder charge I used. I am using H-335, would 24 gr be an OK starting charge, the Lee book doesn't have anything for 54 gr bullets.

 

[ReloaderFred]

The specifications for both M196 and M856A1 are, "The trace shall be visable from a point not greater than 75 yards from the muzzle of the weapon to a point not less than 500 yards from the muzzle". This is from Cartridges of the World, 10th Edition, and is taken from the government specifications.

When you're shooting at night, you don't want the tracers to light until they get some distance away from you, since the bad guy can see them, too.

The bottom line is, you're shooting them too close to see them light off. They also need to be loaded fairly warm, and I would start at about 25 grains of H335 at least. The ones I loaded were loaded with 26 grains of H335 and lit off just fine just short of 100 yards and traced all the way out to the 300 yard line, since that's as long as our range is.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[jerkface11]

My range has rules against tracers incendiaries and exploding targets. Since some guy lit the place on fire a couple years ago.

 

[Dave R]

The ones I loaded were loaded with 26 grains of H335 and lit off just fine just short of 100 yards

I use the same load. 26 gr. of H335. Have not tried it with tracers, though.

 

[scout26]

Remember:

Tracers work both ways.