Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles tracers - why?

One of the major ammo suppliers that has my Email sent a note saying they had 223 tracers in stock. I was not in the military, so can someone explain the purpose of tracers in the infantry? Beyond the fun factor, I would think that's the last thing I would want if I was actually in harms way.

read on:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracer_ammunition

...and on:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Explosive_Incendiary/Armor_Piercing_Ammunition

gotta love the internet :-).

Yeah, tracers work both ways.

They're intended to help machinegunners and automatic riflemen adjust fire onto targets. Tough to do without the tracers in many conditions.

But yes, they do tend to give away the position of the machinegun as well.

Semper Fi, Guy

Tracers can also be used to let you know that you only have a few rounds left in your mag. Load 3 rnds reg ammo,load 2 tracers, then fill your mag w/regular ammo. When you see the tracers, you will know it is time to change your mag.

Most my team would run rounds 2,3,25,26,27 and 28 of a 30 rd mag loaded with 28 rds. Definately helps with round count when things are noisey.

But as stated if you can see it so can they. Muzzel flash pretty much screws you anyway.

Rogue, why rounds 2 and 3? Was it to keep the enemy guessing? And why not round 1 also?

The other rounds I can understand; like 338-06 said, they let you know when it was time to change your magazines...or britches.

2 and 3 where in case you are way too amped or you've screwed up your sights. Purely to help you get on target. 1st round was greentip in case you wanted one well aimed shot without the fanfair.

Would like to say you never get wacky trading steel insults back and forth but sheitt happens.

Ah ha. Very good; thanks. That makes sense and obviously a lot of careful thought went into that.

Would like to claim I dreamed it all up but I don't remember where I first heard of it done that way. I think it was an old nam vet when I first came in a hundred years ago.

If you can see the tracers, the other guy and see where you are.

Jim

Not always...We used stuff that didn't light up for perphaps the first 100m of flight...That was in 7.62mm Nato, so I've no idea whats currently in use with the 5.56mm Nato..

About the most fun I ever had was using a GPMG on the range in an anti craft role. They were mounted in pinicles and the belts were 1:1 tracer! Targets were RC model aircraft that were surprisingly difficult to bring down, even when hit several times...The 1:1 tracer definately added to the "wow" factor, just a pity they didn't let us shoot at night!

Not that its issued, but there is some 5.56 tracer that waits a similar time frame before lighting... I thought it might have been more like 75 yards

I normally run first three tracer and last five tracer.

Similar to Rogue.

Outside of infantry use....

If you've never emptied a mag full of tracers at a running coyote, you're missing out.

If you've never started a grass/brush fire with tracers, you're missing out.

Tracers are illegal to use on National Forests, I'm pretty sure on BLM also. Has been for over 50 years. CH

If you never shot a gallon of gasoline (glass jug) with a tracer, you are missing out......

Seems like their was a mention in Cooper's Commentaries that tracers weren't apt to hit the same zero as ball ammo and I think even mentioned a study that came up with the difference in hit probability with an aircraft running all ball versus a tracer mix.

5.56mm tracers hit pretty similar to 62gr ball ammo inside of 200yds. It's really no problem if you're target is center mass 18"x18" or 16"x16"...it'll be there. If not, pull the trigger again (hehe).

**Remember: Never shoot a tracer round through a suppressor!...or else you could damage your can.**

Bryant

I need to try that gas in a jug thing (have to wait until winter though, since the greenery is coming on strong now).

Focusing on target practice and turkey hunting!

Bryant