Handloading Tracer Bullets

SP Tiger

February 24, 2003 08:06

I was at a gun show over the weekend and noticed a lot of tracer bullets for sale. Not live ammo, only the bullets. Is it wise to handload these yourself? If so, where would you get the data for such a load? The seller had several calibers to choose from, and I almost bought some of the 62 grain 5.56mm, but I changed my mind. Thanks in advance.

Better to have and not need, than need and not have.

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  rldowns3

  February 24, 2003 08:32

  You should be able to load them yourself without much problems the same way you load your regular ammo. The tracer rounds will have a different ballistic performance than a standard round, but you can load them the same as your standard rounds.

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  Sunray

  February 24, 2003 08:46

  They're illegal to shoot in some places. Be sure and CYA.

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  SilverBox

  February 24, 2003 11:08

  Illegal to possess in some places as well

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  p3skyking

  February 24, 2003 14:09

  What everyone said is true, but to address you question. Duncan Long wrote a very good book called "Combat Ammunition" a few years back. There is a chapter on making and loading your own tracer ammo. It's not hard or dangerous at all (anymore than loading ball). Loading data was included. One thing about buying tracer bullets is that the compound is very hydroscopic, so unless you are absolutely sure what the conditions were in making and packaging, they may not trace. Sad that some places restrict tracers. They do have a place in teaching ballistics to newcomers.
  Good luck

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  p3skyking

  February 24, 2003 14:11

  quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
  What everyone said is true, but to address your question. Duncan Long wrote a very good book called "Combat Ammunition" a few years back. There is a chapter on making and loading your own tracer ammo. It's not hard or dangerous at all (anymore than loading ball). Loading data was included. One thing about buying tracer bullets is that the compound is very hydroscopic, so unless you are absolutely sure what the conditions were in making and packaging, they may not trace. Sad that some places restrict tracers. They do have a place in teaching ballistics to newcomers.
  Good luck
  
  <P>

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  Laredo Lefty

  February 24, 2003 15:21

  SP.... there is a book called "Army ammunition data sheets- small caliber ammunition" TM 43-0001-27. It gives load data for virtually all the military ammo from 22lr up to 30mm. It includes data for ball, tracer, armor piercing, frangible, blanks etc.
  The book covers what type powder is used and how much for each load.

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