Unfinished Tracer Bullets

[artifex]

I have a supply of unfinished tracer bullets. These are just like FMJ's with a lead core, with the exception that they are open in the rear and have a recess where the tracer compound would go. Weight is about 50 grains.

WHat do you think? Safe to load these? Does the extra jacket effect how these should be loaded?

 

[ReloaderFred]

I have the same thing in .308 caliber. The problem I ran into was due to their extra length, and the fact that the open end of the bullet extends below the case neck, the bullet base expanded inside the case and produced tremendous pressures, even with light loads. My advice, based on my experience with the .308's, is to not fire them as they are. Someone else may have had different experiences with them, though.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[artifex]

That's just what I was afraid of...

I've got almost 1000 of these, and would like to find some constructive use for them.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Good luck. I bought 2,000 of the .308's about 15 years ago and I'm still trying to find a use for them. I tried pouring molten lead into them, but that didn't work. About the only way I could see to use them was to get the proper swaging die and cut lead cores and swage them into the cavity and crimp over the base, like they do with finished tracers. I looked into it, but buying another 2,000 good bullets was cheaper by about $100.00.....

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[musher]

I wonder if filling the cavities with epoxy from a syringe would work.

 

[artifex]

YOu know, Epoxy isn't a bad idea... Like Quicksteel or one of the other High-temp 2-part putty sticks. If it gets blown to bits on firing though, it'll leave really abrasive crap all over the inside of the bore though. Still... that may deserve some investigation.

I was also wondering if it would be possible to somehow crimp the jacket shut...

Alternatively I could buy tracer compound from somewhere and make these real tracers...