[deadsp0t]

Originally Posted by c3shooter

Explanation- Tracer rounds have a partial hollow in the base of the bullet. This is filled with a pyrotechnic mix that ignites when the round fires- it is lit in the chamber. It is fully burning within a few feet of the muzzle- unless you have an unusual round called "dark ignition"- slow starting, fully lights up 75-100 meters downrange. Please note those are RIFLE rounds.

Basically, there is a tail of very hot flame a foot or so long behind a pistol bullet (more behind a rifle) Chemicals aded to the mix color the flame for visibility. US usually red, commies were green.

That flame will burn for hundreds of meters of travel (7.62 NATO about 900m, 5.56 about 600m) Hit something before then, it can light it up.

I have set more military ranges alight than I can count. Smokey D. Bear does not beat soldiers with the shovel. You, on the other hand.......

Sooooo.... Basically I just throw them in my ammo crate and forget I have them because they are just too dangerous for an uncontrolled environment?

[sdiver35]

Originally Posted by c3shooter

Explanation- Tracer rounds have a partial hollow in the base of the bullet. This is filled with a pyrotechnic mix that ignites when the round fires- it is lit in the chamber. It is fully burning within a few feet of the muzzle- unless you have an unusual round called "dark ignition"- slow starting, fully lights up 75-100 meters downrange. Please note those are RIFLE rounds.

Basically, there is a tail of very hot flame a foot or so long behind a pistol bullet (more behind a rifle) Chemicals aded to the mix color the flame for visibility. US usually red, commies were green.

That flame will burn for hundreds of meters of travel (7.62 NATO about 900m, 5.56 about 600m) Hit something before then, it can light it up.

I have set more military ranges alight than I can count. Smokey D. Bear does not beat soldiers with the shovel. You, on the other hand.......

You sir are an encyclopedia of good knowledge! Thanks for the in depth explanation, I have been on the "putting the fire out team" on ranges. I've also spent many of REALLY cold mornings where we planned to have a night fire prior to day qualification only to have the plan cancelled once we were there. Ft. Carson, CO is mighty cold at 4am waiting for daylight in the winter months!

[HOSSFLY]

Originally Posted by deadsp0t

So maybe shoot at the opposite bank? The river is always low, there's usually several ft of bank above the water and usually fairly steep

No fun in that--tracer rds are made for "tracking" shots at long range to help zero in on target. All i've shot are 5.56 & 50cal- Never used one in a handgun-

[deadsp0t]

Originally Posted by HOSSFLY

No fun in that--tracer rds are made for "tracking" shots at long range -

One of the places we shoot from is roughly 120 yards from a bend in the river, the bank there is about 20 feet tall. May just shot 1 or 2 just to have a look see I only have a box of 10, I'm curious as hell now

[HOSSFLY]

Originally Posted by deadsp0t

One of the places we shoot from is roughly 120 yards from a bend in the river, the bank there is about 20 feet tall. May just shot 1 or 2 just to have a look see I only have a box of 10, I'm curious as hell now

If you can see that far & safely shoot them where they will hit a "safe" spot i'd go for it
They are a hoot to shoot

[deadsp0t]

Originally Posted by HOSSFLY

If you can see that far & safely shoot them where they will hit a "safe" spot i'd go for it
They are a hoot to shoot

No one spoke on using my aluminum frame pistol to shoot them, wont be an issue will it?

[HOSSFLY]

Originally Posted by deadsp0t

No one spoke on using my aluminum frame pistol to shoot them, wont be an issue will it?

Should not be a issue-
Frame just holds the junk