.223 Tracer powder

jclayto · February 23, 2010, 10:01 AM

I just picked up 1200 55grn tracer bullets that I will eventually load up. From what I understand tracers like a pretty hot powder/load. Does anyone have suggestions for a .223 tracer load including powder type? This will be fired in a ar-15, or a H&K Sl8.

Hammonje · February 23, 2010, 12:46 PM

TAC would work well.

**Unclenick** · February 23, 2010, 12:51 PM

Stick powders usually burn a little warmer than sphericals. I would look at the IMR 4198 that Stoner designed the AR to use in the first place. It's fast enough to get hot with the bullet not far down the bore.

hagar · February 23, 2010, 12:53 PM

Use 25 grains of 4895 (any kind).

**Unclenick** · February 23, 2010, 03:12 PM

I took a look at the military specs for M196 (tracer) ammo. They load it with three powders: WC 844 and IMR 8208M and CR 170.

Hodgdon just began selling a civilian version of IMR 8208 (IMR 8208 XBR), and WC844 is the non-canister grade OEM version of H335. I don't know a civilian equivalent for CMR 170?

The maximum and minimum loads for the 8208 XBR and H335 for the 55 grain Speer Spire Point seated to 2.200" COL are listed by Hodgdon as: 23 grains to start, 25.3 grains maximum in a Winchester case with a Winchester SR primer. The 54 grain tracer bullet, however is longer (.91" verses .71") and QuickLOAD says matching pressures will be achieved with a 0.8 grain charge reduction at both ends of the range to make up for the powder space the base of that longer bullet takes up. That puts the load range at 22.2 grains to start and 24.5 maximum with the tracer seated to 2.255" to 2.260" COL.

The military load's are reported as greater charge weights, but that is a number that changes with each lot of non-canister grade powder they get and test. So, for the canister grade stuff sold by Hodgdon, I would stick with the 0.8 grain reduction as I outlined it until you can prove otherwise by careful load workup.

Hammonje · February 23, 2010, 03:15 PM

TAC...

jclayto · February 23, 2010, 04:03 PM

thank you everyone. I am still a little while out from loading .223 (love my dillon 650, but hate the cost of adding caliber), but this will be great info when I get all my stuff together.

fwiw, wideners has 1200 rnd packs of .223 tracers for $79

It is pulled, but sounds like a deal to me.

PCJim · February 23, 2010, 04:31 PM

We don't need to set the state on fire down here, so please keep those tracers up there in SC. And, if you will, only shoot them when there's a southerly breeze.

Tracers are prohibited at the outdoor ranges down here....

bfoosh006 · February 26, 2010, 03:17 AM

http://www.patsreloading.com/patsrel/prices.htm....

I believe you want the WC 844T.. just slightly down the page.

February 23, 2010, 10:01 AM	#1
jclayto Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2005 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 600	.223 Tracer powder I just picked up 1200 55grn tracer bullets that I will eventually load up. From what I understand tracers like a pretty hot powder/load. Does anyone have suggestions for a .223 tracer load including powder type? This will be fired in a ar-15, or a H&K Sl8.

February 23, 2010, 12:51 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,733	Stick powders usually burn a little warmer than sphericals. I would look at the IMR 4198 that Stoner designed the AR to use in the first place. It's fast enough to get hot with the bullet not far down the bore. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 23, 2010, 03:12 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,733	I took a look at the military specs for M196 (tracer) ammo. They load it with three powders: WC 844 and IMR 8208M and CR 170. Hodgdon just began selling a civilian version of IMR 8208 (IMR 8208 XBR), and WC844 is the non-canister grade OEM version of H335. I don't know a civilian equivalent for CMR 170? The maximum and minimum loads for the 8208 XBR and H335 for the 55 grain Speer Spire Point seated to 2.200" COL are listed by Hodgdon as: 23 grains to start, 25.3 grains maximum in a Winchester case with a Winchester SR primer. The 54 grain tracer bullet, however is longer (.91" verses .71") and QuickLOAD says matching pressures will be achieved with a 0.8 grain charge reduction at both ends of the range to make up for the powder space the base of that longer bullet takes up. That puts the load range at 22.2 grains to start and 24.5 maximum with the tracer seated to 2.255" to 2.260" COL. The military load's are reported as greater charge weights, but that is a number that changes with each lot of non-canister grade powder they get and test. So, for the canister grade stuff sold by Hodgdon, I would stick with the 0.8 grain reduction as I outlined it until you can prove otherwise by careful load workup. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 23, 2010, 12:46 PM	#2
Hammonje Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2010 Location: Lilburn, GA Posts: 117	TAC would work well.

February 23, 2010, 12:53 PM	#4
hagar Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2000 Location: Colombia, SC Posts: 745	Use 25 grains of 4895 (any kind).

February 23, 2010, 03:15 PM	#6
Hammonje Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2010 Location: Lilburn, GA Posts: 117	TAC...

February 23, 2010, 04:03 PM	#7
jclayto Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2005 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 600	thank you everyone. I am still a little while out from loading .223 (love my dillon 650, but hate the cost of adding caliber), but this will be great info when I get all my stuff together. fwiw, wideners has 1200 rnd packs of .223 tracers for $79 It is pulled, but sounds like a deal to me.

February 23, 2010, 04:31 PM	#8
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	We don't need to set the state on fire down here, so please keep those tracers up there in SC. And, if you will, only shoot them when there's a southerly breeze. Tracers are prohibited at the outdoor ranges down here....

February 26, 2010, 03:17 AM	#9
bfoosh006 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 1,100	http://www.patsreloading.com/patsrel/prices.htm.... I believe you want the WC 844T.. just slightly down the page.