An idea about making tracer shot.

[bigalexe]

According to a quick google search the only type of tracer available as shotgun shell is one where there is a separate component from the shot that makes the tracer. I was wondering if there was ever anyone that considered coating the shot itself in tracer material.

What im talking about is basically a process similar to anodizing or chrome plating (i dont know the properties of phosphorus exactly) where the lead core of a #9 shot would have a coating of phosphorus so it was sized as say a #7 shot ball. I suppose these may fly a little differently than your regular target load #7's but according to what I've read it would probably work better than the current technology.

Would it be illegal/dangerous/outright idiotic for me to obtain some phosphorus or barium salts in powder form and give it to someone that does reloads. Have them roll the shot around in it or shake it up in a ziploc bag with the shot before loading into shells?

Upon further inspection its illegal to obtain White Phosphorus because its used in making Amphetamines.

 

[627PCFan]

Your going to have trouble lightening the material off, if you could get whatever you want to stick to the shot.

Try normal lead shot, painted with ground/utility marking paint that surveyors use, and load your loads as normal if you need the shot to be higher visibility.

 

[Jim K]

How would you ignite the trace? In a rifle, the trace element in the bullet is ignited by the burning powder, but in a shot shell the shot is deliberately kept away from the powder since the gas would break up the pattern. The "tracer" shot shells have the trace pellet under the over-powder wad so it ignites. But it also is hard on barrels and a tracer shell doesn't have the same velocity and range as a regular shot shell.

Jim

 

[Ron James]

Since you asked, yes in my opinion it would be illegal/dangerous and down right idiotic to attempt such a undertaking. What practical use would it be for other than to start forest fires.

 

[Old Guard Dog]

I can't remember where I saw them for sale, but the way to ignite a "tracer" or other specialty round loaded in a shotshell is with a gas seal that has a hole in the center to allow the burning powder to ignite the "tracer".

As with any type of reloading, follow published recipes only.

 

[bigalexe]

What practical use would it be for other than to start forest fires.

Living in the Great Lakes state we don't have forest fires... often. Anyway there isnt really a practical usage besides that it would look damn cool IMO to have what looks like a green or white firestorm coming out of your barrel.

How would you ignite the trace

That is why i ask questions here, having done a sum total of zero reloadings i didn't know this. I was actually more wondering if the phosphate or barium powder would stick to the lead shot, you just made me realize it may be more complicated than that.

 

[NoAlibi]

A little more info please

Jim Keenan

...it also is hard on barrels and a tracer shell doesn't have the same velocity and range as a regular shot shell.

I have a case of 1 1/8 oz., #9 tracer skeet/trap shotshells with a published velocity of 1200 fps. And, yes, there is a fire hazzard warning on the box. You would only use these in a totally visible fall zone and definitely not if the grass was dry.

The purpose of the tracer is to let the shooter or instructor see if you are following the line of the clay target and if the lead was correct. In the daytime or a well lighted field at night, there is little improvement over standard shotshells - but there is some. There was not enough of a diffference to put them to use on any regular basis.

Just how are they hard on barrels and what kind of damage do they do?

JRSpicer426

Try normal lead shot, painted with ground/utility marking paint that surveyors use, and load your loads as normal if you need the shot to be higher visibility.

What color paint would give the best visibility?

 

[627PCFan]

I would try neon orange and keep the velocities around 1100fps. Ultimately how well it shows up depends on your speed and background.

 

[rcmodel]

Upon further inspection its illegal to obtain White Phosphorus

And upon even further inspection you will find white phosphorus ignites spontaneously in air.

You would shoot your eyes out & burn your house down before you got the first shell loaded!

BTW: Winchester loaded tracer trap loads back in the late 1960's.
https://www.wardscollectibles.com/viewitem.php?item=1106

rc