? on reloading pulled tracer bullets.

ursus · January 11, 2001, 03:21 PM

I came across some pulled 3006 and 308 pulled bullet heads from GI assembled bullets. Can these be reloaded with standard components and powder? Is the phosphorus still in the tail of the bullet head? If so, will shooting these rounds cause damage to bores?
Thanks for your time

Cheapo · January 11, 2001, 05:28 PM

The longer bearing surface compared to other bullets of similar weight *may* require a small reduction in powder charge as compared to maximum loads with "ball" bullets of similar weight.

IIRC, the copper cup in the base is supposed to keep all of the flammable stuff out of your bore. I don't fully trust that and included a couple of wet patches in my cleaning routine when I popped off a few of those a few years ago.

And yes, standard powder and primer and cases, etc. are all appropriate.

Enjoy, and watch out for the fire hazard.

beemerb · January 11, 2001, 07:09 PM

I just checked cartridges of the world for the military loading data.The charges for tracer and ball are exactly the same.Same powder and amount.
Have fun

HankL · January 11, 2001, 07:36 PM

As far as the trace being more corrosive, unless the projectile has been damaged in some way during the pulling, packing process you should not have any problems.

As far as the fire hazard warning Cheapo gave Be Warned A Tracer Hitting Dry Flamables Before It Is Spent WILL Start A Fire!

Southla1 · January 11, 2001, 10:15 PM

I used to buy 30-06 ball way back in 1963 for $3.95 a hundred from Sears. It came packed in 20 round boxes, and was all WWII surplus. Sometimes on opening a box there would be a suprise, as in there may be one or two AP, API, or tracer. The primers were corrosive to begin with so the proper cleaning for corrosive ammo took care of any problems with the tracer. I got 100 of just the bullets a few months back and loaded them with 47 grains of non-canister 4895 in the 06, and they work like a charm! Pretty hard to start a fire here in the Atchafalaya River Basin Swamp!

January 11, 2001, 03:21 PM	#1
ursus Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 1999 Posts: 132	I came across some pulled 3006 and 308 pulled bullet heads from GI assembled bullets. Can these be reloaded with standard components and powder? Is the phosphorus still in the tail of the bullet head? If so, will shooting these rounds cause damage to bores? Thanks for your time

January 11, 2001, 05:28 PM	#2
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	The longer bearing surface compared to other bullets of similar weight may require a small reduction in powder charge as compared to maximum loads with "ball" bullets of similar weight. IIRC, the copper cup in the base is supposed to keep all of the flammable stuff out of your bore. I don't fully trust that and included a couple of wet patches in my cleaning routine when I popped off a few of those a few years ago. And yes, standard powder and primer and cases, etc. are all appropriate. Enjoy, and watch out for the fire hazard.

January 11, 2001, 07:09 PM	#3
beemerb Junior member Join Date: October 2, 1999 Location: AZ Posts: 1,759	I just checked cartridges of the world for the military loading data.The charges for tracer and ball are exactly the same.Same powder and amount. Have fun

January 11, 2001, 07:36 PM	#4
HankL Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 1999 Location: The Sunny South Posts: 2,174	As far as the trace being more corrosive, unless the projectile has been damaged in some way during the pulling, packing process you should not have any problems. As far as the fire hazard warning Cheapo gave Be Warned A Tracer Hitting Dry Flamables Before It Is Spent WILL Start A Fire!

January 11, 2001, 10:15 PM	#5
Southla1 Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 19, 2000 Location: Jeanerette, La. Near the Posts: 1,999	I used to buy 30-06 ball way back in 1963 for $3.95 a hundred from Sears. It came packed in 20 round boxes, and was all WWII surplus. Sometimes on opening a box there would be a suprise, as in there may be one or two AP, API, or tracer. The primers were corrosive to begin with so the proper cleaning for corrosive ammo took care of any problems with the tracer. I got 100 of just the bullets a few months back and loaded them with 47 grains of non-canister 4895 in the 06, and they work like a charm! Pretty hard to start a fire here in the Atchafalaya River Basin Swamp!