Using 5.56 NATO Tracer Ammo

[cabinet-cruncher]

I am no sure if this has been covered before. I recently acquired just over 140 rounds of 5.56 NATO Tracer XM196. My question is when prepping (ie loading on stripper clips) do I a. Just load straight on a clip or b. mix with other 5.56 FMJ ammo say 1 in 3 to reduce heating. I realize that this is a semi-auto so unless firing a full clip as fast as possible some cooling should occur. Back in ancient history (VietNam 64/65) we loading ammo for an M-60 1 in 3 instead of 1in five per Geneva , the barrel would get very hot so we tries to change barrel every belt.

 

[1-1 Banger]

It shouldn't matter in a semi auto as much, but when I was a SAW gunner we always loaded our belts with the 1:5 ratio. After I got back to the M4, I loaded 25 ball and loaded my last 5 in the mag as tracers

 

[bikerdoc]

Being a little less ancient-RVN 68-69, I dont think the mix is an issue.
I would be more concerned with;
1, State and local laws on tracers.
2, taking care not to start a fire in the woods.

Other than that have fun.

 

[jonnyc]

I'm not really sure what your question is. I'll try to answer what I think I understand, sorry if I'm wrong.
A. Tracer ammo doesn't heat your barrel any more than ball ammo, so the mix has no impact on keeping your barrel hotter or cooler.
B. There was no need to change your M60 barrel after a single belt of ammo, even if you fired all 250 in one go. I was a Mag58 gunner in the IDF, and only once did I feel the need to change out a barrel, and that was after about 1500 rounds. Didn't really NEED to, but I had a spare and didn't feel like running and rolling with a very hot barrel.