62 gr. Tracers

The Royal We · Dec 4, 2014

Hey I picked up some 62 grain tracer bullets at the last show and I need some information on reloading. Can anyone help me out with powder selection etc..... look forward to your input.
Thanks
Daryle

Steve M · Dec 4, 2014

Hop on over to http://www.hodgdonreloading.com and you'll find plenty of data for a 62gr bullet. The tracers take up more room in the case than a typical SP or FMJ so your max powder load should be perhaps 1.5gr less.

John Gault · Dec 5, 2014

Why do they take up more room? Inquiring (but lazy) minds want to know.

Steve M · Dec 5, 2014

Lower density.

The Royal We · Dec 5, 2014

Steve M said:
Hop on over to http://www.hodgdonreloading.com and you'll find plenty of data for a 62gr bullet. The tracers take up more room in the case than a typical SP or FMJ so your max powder load should be perhaps 1.5gr less.

Thanks I'll take a look. Any idea on which powder works better than others?

Steve M · Dec 5, 2014

The one you can find and buy trumps all others, but here are some suggestions: http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-education/reloading-beginners/reloading-223

I've been using BL-C2 with 55gr FMJ and have no complaints, IMR 8208 XBR is a popular choice as are H335 CFE 223.

The Royal We · Dec 5, 2014

Steve M said:
The one you can find and buy trumps all others, but here are some suggestions: http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-education/reloading-beginners/reloading-223

I've been using BL-C2 with 55gr FMJ and have no complaints, IMR 8208 XBR is a popular choice as are H335 CFE 223.

The Royal We · Dec 5, 2014

I to have been using BL-C(2) and H335 with 55 gr. Bullets and have had no issues. I'll try BL-C(2) with the minimum load and see how it performs. Thanks !!

blitz · Dec 7, 2014

we used wc844 for tracers

Hellgate · Dec 9, 2014

The tracer bullets are longer because they need a longer body to hold the tracer compound in the base of the bullet.

The Royal We · Dec 12, 2014

blitz said:
we used wc844 for tracers

Thanks, what grain load worked the best for you if I may ask?
Daryle

blitz · Dec 13, 2014

23.5gr

AMProducts · Dec 14, 2014

Military load data for it is WC844 24.7gr This is per TM 43-0001-27

The Royal We · Dec 17, 2014

Thanks for the direction. I tried BL- C (2) since I have quite a bit in stock at 22.5 gr. (Min. load) and only 2 out of 10 ignited. I bumped up the load to 24 gr. and bingo all 10 ignited. Accuracy was okay but if I bumped up let's say another .5 gr. to 24.5, would that help with accuracy?

AMProducts · Dec 18, 2014

Usually the lower velocity is going to be more accurate... honestly, I don't think I've ever seen an "accurate" tracer. usually they seem to shoot about minute of flaming car at 500 yards.

Since the tracer element generates a small amount of gas, and has a lower density, I would try to keep the load to a minimum in terms of "what will light". However, part of this comes down to me being excessively cautious when it comes to dispensing advice in terms of powder/components I don't know too well.

The Royal We · Dec 19, 2014

Sound advice, thank you. I will roll up 25 at 24 gr. and see how they shoot. Take care !!!!

blitz · Dec 20, 2014

23.5 is the first load we tested. they lit and seemed to run well so we just stuck with that. we could have probably bumped it up just didnt have the time.

Who The F R U · Dec 26, 2014

The Royal We said:
Hey I picked up some 62 grain tracer bullets at the last show and I need some information on reloading. Can anyone help me out with powder selection etc..... look forward to your input.
Thanks
Daryle

844T
26.5 grains in New LC Brass
23.5 in once fired or commercial

28 grains Max in a 11 1/2 inch barrel.
Will give you the same punch/range as a standard 23.5 grain load in a 20 inch barrel,But its hard on the barrels 10-15k lifespan before they burn out the throat.