December 5, 2006, 12:18 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: November 6, 2006
Posts: 9
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Tracers.
Hey guys. I'm into reloading .22-250 among other cartridges. Just for fun, I loaded up some orange tracers that I picked up at the gun-show. It so happened that I had some extruded powder (Varget). I made 20 cartridges total, and fired maybe six. The daylight conditions (and firing a scoped rifle) allowed me to see only one trace. I wouldn't have even seen that one, but I intentionally fired it into an embankment without using the scope.
Can anyone give me some pointers or ideas when reloading these tracers ? Like I said, this was done just for fun. I quickly learned that these bullets are NOT match-grade. Is there anything I need to know about these ? Will they mess up my rifle barrel ? (700 VS) Last edited by MoonShiner; December 5, 2006 at 02:07 PM. |
December 5, 2006, 11:04 AM | #2 |
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Check your private messages!!!
They shouldn't harm your barrel. Surplus tracers are not very reliable especially if they have been pulled. They use a chemical compound similar to pyrotechnic stars and absorb moisture out of the air.
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December 5, 2006, 07:47 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: March 4, 2006
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What distance were you shooting ? I've read that tracers won't reliably ignite untill about 150 yards. I also read that tracers were designed to ignite with ball powder. I don't know what the difference would be for ignition, but I know Varget isn't a ball powder.
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December 5, 2006, 11:08 PM | #4 |
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"...picked up at...see only one..." Chances are that the trace element came off when they were pulled or in transit. Not seeing the light while the rifle is recoiling isn't surprising. They won't bother your rifle.
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December 6, 2006, 12:01 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: July 14, 2005
Location: New Jersey
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Always use stick powder to lite tracer bullets. It burns hotter and gives a more reliable lite.
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December 6, 2006, 12:11 AM | #6 | ||
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Location: Idaho
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Quote:
Quote:
Who knows the right powder?
__________________
I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues). |
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December 6, 2006, 09:37 AM | #7 |
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Join Date: November 6, 2006
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update
I went out yesterday and fired 5 more rounds at about 30 minutes before dark. All tracers lit using the Varget powder. Some knuckle-head told me that the tracers would light with ball powder, but best results would be had with extruded (stick) powder. I'm no expert, I'm just reporting what I've been told.
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