50BMG Tracer Types

[Matt304]

I am going to purchase a batch of BMG tracers to load up, and I realized there are a few types out there. I would like to get an idea of which ones are the better tracer out of the bunch to buy.

I see there are standard brown tip tracers that are pretty light at 630gr.

I see there are APIT armor piercing incendiary tracer, and those are very light at only 605gr.

Then I see the spotter tracers that are a whopping 822gr, and I'm wondering what's in them that adds all the weight. Lead instead of steel? What do those do exactly?

Anyways, can you distinguish which is a brighter tracer or are they all about the same?

 

[Jeff F]

Whatever you get, just don't start any fires with them.

 

[Matt304]

So, instead of helping with the question, you give me a common sense safety tip?

OK

 

[Krazy]

IMO, all tracers can be seen the same.. any type of tracer round will do..and why not set a fire if your near a lake? thats where all the fun comes from!
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[Matt304]

Alright I didn't know if one had more room for tracer composition that was used etc, but thanks for heads up Krazy.

I will probably just get the brown tip standard tracers then.

Now how do these tracers actually light themselves? I always thought it had to do with a fuse. I really didn't think there was enough heat transfer from the powder to work that way to simply light the composition, so I figured there was a fuse activated by pressure, like a primer in a way. But is this how it really works, or does nobody really know? I am basically asking because I want to grab some 308 tracers as well, and didn't know if powder type would make a difference.

 

[50 Shooter]

You're going to want to buy 5010 powder as it burns hotter and is the standard powder for lighting tracers in 50 BMG. There are different types of tracers for the 50 BMG, follow this link for more info. http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/mg/50_ammo.html

Spotter/Tracers were never designed for use in 50 BMG, they were design for the M8C Spotting Rifle that mounted to a 106mm recoiless rifle. The cases were shorter then the standard 50 BMG and designated M48A1. If you load these into a standard 50 BMG case use at load of 175-190 grs. of 5010. The rounds will trace out and when they hit will put out a flash and white smoke. That's how the 106 gunners knew how to adjust fire onto their target, once they had the M48 on target they fired the 106mm and wiped out what they were aiming at.

 

[Matt304]

Nice, I have about 20lbs left over of IMR 5010.

Not the greatest performing powder for this cartridge, runs a little hot too early on, but shoots pretty consistently.

Yeah, I ended up finding youtube vids of those spotter tracers. Looked like smoke bombs after they dug into the ground.

I'd like to get the APIT. Shoot them at hard targets. I always love watching the incendiary impact steel plate while looking through the scope!