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Posted: 11/1/2016 10:09:07 PM EDT
| Looking for input from those that have played with both - I've shot a lot of API for the fun flash at impact. Does the Spotter Tracer projectile look similar or is there a noticeably larger flash? Just looking to buy some more ammo and want something fun for new shooters as I already have plenty of ball ammo stocked up. |
| Well first there is the trace which is very easy to see. Once there is impact the spotter tracers are smoke so they linger longer. The flash from an API is brigher but is over in an instant. The spotter tracer is easier to see where it hit as we have been able to see them impact well over a mile while the API would just not be visible in daytime at that range. |
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ST makes a nice cloud of white smoke + flash + bang at impact. Fun times. |
| Just remember that the Spotter Tracer round has about a 1700 fps velocity. About like shooting a 44 magnum pistol in that the trajectory is like a rainbow. Already mentioned, big boom and lots of smoke on impact along with a bright trace. Fun but expensive novelty rounds. Longer distance to target and you're talking feet drop instead of inches. |
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Spotter tracer are more fun due to the trace and smoke after impact.
Two things that have already been stated, fire danger and how they are loaded. If you can't shoot them in a safe place, don't. Starting a fire isn't going to help our sport any, getting charged and having to pay for it isn't going to be cheap! As for hand loading them, use 190 grs as a MAX loading. 175 grs is a good starting point, you may need a case filler to take up extra space inside the case. You can use cotton, cream of wheat... Just be safe if you load them, watch for any pressure signs as you work your way up. Remember that they were made to be shot out of the smaller 50 spotter case and at lower velocity then a 50 BMG round. |
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Quoted:
Spotter tracer are more fun due to the trace and smoke after impact. Two things that have already been stated, fire danger and how they are loaded. If you can't shoot them in a safe place, don't. Starting a fire isn't going to help our sport any, getting charged and having to pay for it isn't going to be cheap! As for hand loading them, use 190 grs as a MAX loading. 175 grs is a good starting point, you may need a case filler to take up extra space inside the case. You can use cotton, cream of wheat... Just be safe if you load them, watch for any pressure signs as you work your way up. Remember that they were made to be shot out of the smaller 50 spotter case and at lower velocity then a 50 BMG round. So they can't be loaded to a standard velocity? Do they come apart? |
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CAN NOT be safely loaded to standard 50 velocity. First thing they warn about is not the jacket coming apart but the incendiary going off in the barrel or brake or just in front of the brake. Next is you can't get them to 50
velocity without going over pressure. They are a very long bullet with lots of bearing surface. The danger is having them go off in a brake or just in front of the brake and shooter. 170-180 grains of 5010 makes a good load looking for 1700 fps and not much more. |
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Quoted:
CAN NOT be safely loaded to standard 50 velocity. First thing they warn about is not the jacket coming apart but the incendiary going off in the barrel or brake or just in front of the brake. Next is you can't get them to 50 velocity without going over pressure. They are a very long bullet with lots of bearing surface. The danger is having them go off in a brake or just in front of the brake and shooter. 170-180 grains of 5010 makes a good load looking for 1700 fps and not much more. I loaded my ST rounds with 175 grains of WC860 with a cotton ball on top of the powder charge to hold it near the primer. |
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