Anyone know the gr of "mil-spec" tracers for 30-06 or .308?

Vitamin G · September 4, 2006, 01:32 PM

I bought some "mil-spec tracers" according to the reloading guy at the gunshow. They are 30-06\308, but i don't know how heavy the bullet is. Does anyone know? My scale is a lee and only goes up to 100gr.

They were only $3\20, so its no big deal if there's no specific answer. I'm not going to blow myself up trying to get my money's worth out of $3

firechicken · September 4, 2006, 01:47 PM

It looks like most of the 30 cal. tracer projectiles are 140gr to 150gr, but without being able to weigh them, who knows. You can download a PDF version of the Army small arms ammo data specs here: http://www.ar15.com/content/manuals/TM43-0001-27.pdf

Scorch · September 5, 2006, 01:35 PM

Many of them are 147 gr. Probably others, though.

Shoney · September 5, 2006, 04:39 PM

I have shot two distinctly different types of the tracers. Both were .308 and about 146-148 gr, The tracer cores (Phosphorus compound ??? ) were very different. One was designed to light up at about 100 yards for a short distance only, while the other didn’t ignite until beyond 200 yards and burned to about 450-600 yards. Very hard to see in daylight or twilight. Accuracy to about 100 yrds was around 2-4 inches, and beyond that went all over (probably because of variable weight from burning off weight).

At first, I loaded them with IMR 4064 and only got a few to light up, found that an upper medium load of IMR 3031 with mag primer would ignite them.

September 4, 2006, 01:32 PM	#1
Vitamin G Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 307	Anyone know the gr of "mil-spec" tracers for 30-06 or .308? I bought some "mil-spec tracers" according to the reloading guy at the gunshow. They are 30-06\308, but i don't know how heavy the bullet is. Does anyone know? My scale is a lee and only goes up to 100gr. They were only $3\20, so its no big deal if there's no specific answer. I'm not going to blow myself up trying to get my money's worth out of $3

September 5, 2006, 01:35 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Many of them are 147 gr. Probably others, though. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 5, 2006, 04:39 PM	#4
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	I have shot two distinctly different types of the tracers. Both were .308 and about 146-148 gr, The tracer cores (Phosphorus compound ??? ) were very different. One was designed to light up at about 100 yards for a short distance only, while the other didn’t ignite until beyond 200 yards and burned to about 450-600 yards. Very hard to see in daylight or twilight. Accuracy to about 100 yrds was around 2-4 inches, and beyond that went all over (probably because of variable weight from burning off weight). At first, I loaded them with IMR 4064 and only got a few to light up, found that an upper medium load of IMR 3031 with mag primer would ignite them. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

September 4, 2006, 01:47 PM	#2
firechicken Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2006 Location: Savannah, MO Posts: 224	It looks like most of the 30 cal. tracer projectiles are 140gr to 150gr, but without being able to weigh them, who knows. You can download a PDF version of the Army small arms ammo data specs here: http://www.ar15.com/content/manuals/TM43-0001-27.pdf