Loading .303 Tracer

[jonnyc]

I have a Lee Loader on the way. I got a box of Hornady 150gr SPs (.312) to start with. Yesterday a buddy gave me a HEAVY box of pulled British .303 tracer rounds. They're pretty nice and clean, and a sample handful run from .3110 to .3129, and weigh between 147.9 grains and 157 grains. Are those ranges close enough to load them to the same powder specs as the Hornadys? Also, is there any problem firing a quantity of old British tracer ammo through a rifle barrel? Will it even ignite? I have heard both good and bad info.

 

[Shoney]

jonnyc: I've loaded .308 150 gr tracers in several different 30 cal. cartridges. Shooting at 100 yards, they WOULD NOT ignite. Discovered they began to "trace" at about 250-300 yards. Some apparently some varieties will ignite under 100, but not my batch.

I started loads at minimum listed for 150 and worked up, but never went over max. Never did get good accuracy, because of the widely varying wieghts and diameters. I have also been told that they are inherantly inaccurate, because as they fly, the phosphorus (or whatever it is) burns up at different rates.

Have fun, but be careful! THEY WILL START FIRES!!!!!!!!!!!!