Which of these powders is more likely to ignite .223 62-gr tracers?

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IMtheNRA

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I realize that not all surplus tracers will ignite and that mil-spec loads use a specially formulated powder to ensure a high rate of ignition. However, I don't want to add any more powders to my inventory and the only .223-suitable powders I have are the following. Which do you think will result in the highest rate of ignition?

TAC, Viht N-133, Varget, IMR 3031, CFE
 
Probably all you listed will ignite the tracer tips but CFE-223 and TAC will probably deliver the highest velocities and thus be more likely to set off the tracers. (I'm not sure about the VV powder because I don't use them)

EDIT: VV doesn't list N-133 with a 62gr bullet in the .223 in their online load data.
 
What's the relationship between velocity and ignition? I planned to make light loads so that I can see them burn longer, but maybe that's not a good idea...
 
I think any powder will ignite tracer material. It's on the bottom of the bullet. Velocity doesn't have anything to do with the process.
 
IMtheNRA said:
What's the relationship between velocity and ignition? I planned to make light loads so that I can see them burn longer, but maybe that's not a good idea...
Click to expand...
The in flight time difference between a load that's doing 2800 fps and 3000 fps is measured in milliseconds. The only way I can think of to see them burn longer is to shoot them further.
 
moxie said:
I think any powder will ignite tracer material. It's on the bottom of the bullet. Velocity doesn't have anything to do with the process.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure but I always thought tracers usually don't light until the tip get hot from air friction and usually it takes about 100 yards for them to light. I could be wrong but that's what I always thought.
 
Tracers have some sort of compound packed into the base of the bullet, which the powder is supposed to ignite.

Do be careful. I have seen 3 fires started with tracers. An arson charge will not be a whole lot of fun for you. I recommend you don't shoot those things at all.
 
It is a common misconception that the paint used on the bullet tip to indicate it is a tracer round is in fact the "tracer" element and that it is ignited by friction as the bullet flies. False.

They have a small pyrotechnic charge in the base which is ignited by the powder. If the powder pushes the bullet out of the barrel, it should ignite the pyrotechnic. It can take a moment for the pyrotechnic to get burning to the point it is visible. It can sometimes take up to 100 yards to get a visible burn going.

Tracers can be very dangerous. Take care when using them and be prepared for a fire downrange.

I've never seen a use for tracers in a non-combat setting other than the "gee whiz!" effect and the ever present "Hey guys, watch this!".
 
Mdm has it right. The powder ignites the tracer pyrotechnic material at the base of the bullet. Neither barrel nor air friction has anything to do with it, nor the paint on the tip.
 
243winxb,
Yes, interesting. I don't remember all the details from my schoolhouse days, but do recall that development of the 5.56 round was indeed a mess. According to your source, at some point the same powder was used in ball and tracer rounds. While at some other point one of the contractors might have used different powders for each. Probably all true. Contractors do that, and as long as they meet the performance spec they're usually OK. But I still think that the answer to the OP's question is that any powder will probably ignite the primer material. All he's got to do is try a few of each and find out and let us know. I personally don't recall in my 23 Air Force years any mention of tracer failure due to powder that wouldn't light the pyro. And at several points all failure data went through my hands.
 
I knew the paint had nothing to do with tracing and was only a indicator but I didn't know the tracer material was in the base of the bullet. Thanks for the info...
 
I'm going to start with Viht N-133. They have 60 grain load data, so that's close enough for my 62 grain tracers. I'll post a report as soon as it snows enough to safely shoot them.

Do you think I should poke a hole in the copper seal at the base of the bullets to increase the odds of ignition?
 
TAC powder

Your guess is as good as mine. I was thinking TAC because its double based & ball with data for 62gr at above link.
62 MIL M855 23.6 2,940 26.2 3,219 62,350 2.260
Click to expand...
5.56 X 45MM NATO (continued)
CIP COMMERCIAL AND NATO/MIL SPECIFICATION (62,350 PSI)
Click to expand...
 
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Most likely you have pulldown tracer bullets. And also most likely the ammo was pulled down for components because the tracer element had deteriorated to the point that it would not light reliably. That's been my experience in loading pulled tracer bullets in .30 Carbine, 5.56mm, .30-06, and 7.62mm. I have even bought milsurp tracer ammo and most of that did not light.

BTW there are two different types of WC844 powder, one marked just WC844 and the pother WC844T which supposedly means it was used to load tracer bullets because it burns at a higher temperature. In my experience in reloading that didn't seem to make much difference. One thing that might help you is to take a pin and pierce the copper cup at the bottom of the tracer bullet. That did seem to create a higher light rate.
 
Light one with a propane torch on concrete or some other hard surface just make sure you let is sit for a good long while before you pick it up no wonder they start everything on fire 800 yards away!
 
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