A friend on THR sent me some tracers in 223 and 30 cal that he had sitting around a couple years ago. Now they just sit around my reloading room. I can't seem to find a practical reason to use them that isn't out weighed by the risk of fire.
They can start fires.
Running up and down a hill with nothing to carry water in except the hub caps off your pal's car is not 1) the easiest way to put out a fire, or 2) the most pleasant way to spend your shooting time. Don't ask me how I know this.
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American Reloading had a 25% off sale on 22 caliber projectiles over Memorial Day, so on a whim, I picked up 500 rounds of tracers in mixed weights. The bullets themselves are pulled so they have some traces of the asphaltic solution used to seal them in the case but otherwise look very nice and well crafted.
My question is (after I get the weights and configurations sorted) what do I need to know about loading and using tracers?
Thank you.
Reloader Fred wrote:
Don't under rate your volunteer fire department. We have one, too, and they've never lost a foundation yet..........!! Not so successful with buildings, but those foundations get saved every time.
Don't under rate your volunteer fire department. We have one, too, and they've never lost a foundation yet..........!! Not so successful with buildings, but those foundations get saved every time.
Fred
Vernon1 wrote:
The tracers burned holes in the left wing ailerons. The ailerons were doped fabric-not asbestos.
Welsh Shooter wrote:
You should seek the range owners permission to see if tracer are permissible.
rfwobbly wrote:
Running up and down a hill with nothing to carry water in except the hub caps off your pal's car...
Jeff H wrote:
I can't seem to find a practical reason to use them that isn't out weighed by the risk of fire.
In Viet Nam they used tracers on the C-47 Gunships-AKA "Puff The Magic Dragon. Mounted the 50 cal in the left rear door. The tracers burned holes in the left wing ailerons. The ailerons were doped fabric-not asbestos.
My close range had a range fire in December 2016. Many have stated it was blamed on tracers. The range is still closed due to insurance claims.
Tracers are bad Karma. Ask the aircraft commander if he wants an aileron on fire over the rice paddies...
Reloadron wrote:
The nightfire is pretty cool to watch.
Yeah, well I have to agree with your dad. While I served I don't know as I would have wanted any of my own children to find themselves in a war we have no business being in. One of the protest cries during Vietnam was "War is good business, invest your son". I was just in time before the draft went lottery and eventually eliminated.I imagine it is.
I missed the draft for Vietnam by a year. Vietnam was my father's third (and last) war. When he got back he said that if I had gotten called up, he would have driven me to Canada himself.
Reloadrom wrote:
Those using them simply be careful and think about things around you.
Frogo207 wrote:
That stuff is pretty hard to ignite usually