223 tracer recipes

[NCHillbilly]

I'm looking for some good recipes for 62 gr. 223 tracers.I've got a bag full and am itchin to light some up.Intended rifle has 16 in. barrel with 1-9 twist.I've been using H-335 to mimic m193 loads but wasn't sure how that powder would work with these.

 

[gimpy]

Re: 223 tracer recipes

I'm interested to see what others have to says well. Maybe I've understood incorrectly, but a 1:7 twist was used to stabilize the tracer round.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Re: 223 tracer recipes

It is my understanding that a 1-9 twist is good for bullets up to about 70 grains,but i have absolutely no experience dealing with tracers,and don't know if the same rules apply.

 

[gimpy]

Re: 223 tracer recipes

I think it has more to do with the length of the projectile than the weight in this instance. I'm sure it will work, just won't be your precision round.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Re: 223 tracer recipes

You are right about the length.The tracers measure 1.090" and the 68 gr hornady BTHP's I've been shooting measure .980'.

 

[Temp9]

Re: 223 tracer recipes

Just for fun, I ran these through QuickTarget's stability calculator (Don Miller's Rule). Ideally, you want the stability number to be between 1.4-2.0.

Diameter: .224"
Weight: 62gr
Length: 1.09"
MV: 2800fps
Temperature: 80*F
Pressure: 29.92mmHg

1:7 twist = 1.47
1:8 twist = 1.12
1:9 twist = 0.89

1:9 may not stabilize. 1:8 or higher should be fine. You won't get amazing precision out of these anyways.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Re: 223 tracer recipes

I appreciate the info.Probably just going to make these functional and use them for low mag indicators.I've never used that program you spoke of,but it sounds like it could be a great time and money saver if you can get an idea of what a round may or may not do without loading or shooting it.

 

[rg1]

Re: 223 tracer recipes

H335 should light them reliably if the tracer compound is still good. They don't light up until 75-100 yards and are a dim trace and hard for the shooter to see in sunlight. Military load data reduces WC 844 data by 1.4 grains from their 62 M855 fmj load. With H335 with an oal of 2.260" maximum I'd try a start load at 22.5 grains and work up but I wouldn't go above 23 to 23.5 grains of H335. Do start low and work up as they are very long and the bullet takes up a lot of case volume. They burn out to 800-900 yards plus and will easily start fires.

 

[rg1]

Re: 223 tracer recipes

Military lists velocity at 2870 fps at 78 ft. from the muzzle. This link has one poster giving chronograph data he got in his rifle with the M856 tracer with H335 powder:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/366620_.html

 

[NCHillbilly]

Re: 223 tracer recipes

Thanks.That's a big help.I'm not looking to make these into tackdrivers,just functioning ammo that will hit relatively close to where i'm aiming.I've got fmj's & bthp's for precision work.

 

[plh]

Re: 223 tracer recipes

+1 on the fire starting. How do I know? Don't ask.