Will tracers foul a barrel

[OWGEM]

I purchased some .223 tracer ammo a while back. Have not fired until lately as it was too dry, concerned about starting a fire. Now that it is safer, ie wetter, I'm wondering if they will foul a barrel on a firearm faster than non tracer ammo. Any idea?

 

[THard6]

this is a good question that i don't have the answer to. however i have shot over 500 rouns through my bushmaster and have since cleaned it and shot regular rounds.. evething seems and looks fine to me.

 

[96firephoenix]

shouldn't matter if you regularly clean and oil your weapon.

 

[THard6]

on second hand.. i think they will destroy the barrel and you should most likely not use them, but i have a gun that handles them just fine.. would you like to part with them??

 

[I Love Bourbon]

It will not harm or make any difference in your barrel. You won't be able to tell any difference at all.

 

[HavokCycle]

My HS chemistry says phosphorous is corrosive.

Phosphorus is on the ass of a tracer, it's what makes it burn.

Just my 2

 

[red_zr24x4]

My HS chemistry says phosphorous is corrosive.

Phosphorus is on the ass of a tracer, it's what makes it burn.

Just my 2

As I posted in the other thread about this, tracers do not lite in a barrel. Any military gun that tracers are shot from would end up blowing up in the shooters face and they would have burning phosphorous embedded in their face.
Tracers have a brass cup on the back side where the phosphorous is, the pressure and heat from the burning powder is what sets them off outside of the barrel.
The powder in tracer rounds burns hotter to accomplish this. If you buy surplus powder you will see WC844 or WC844T also WC846 or WC846T

 

[Nazgul]

Should not be a problem to shoot them.

Don

 

[Ferstlerslim]

My HS chemistry says phosphorous is corrosive.

Phosphorus is on the ass of a tracer, it's what makes it burn.

Just my 2

I think some tracers use phosphorus and some use magnesium.

Dave

 

[Disposable Heart]

While it may not "light" in the barrel, the US military 'sez in their manuals to not continously shoot tracers (and only tracers) as it will corrode the gas system and barrel if you do not clean it. I've pitted a Bushmaster non-chromed barrel before by not cleaning after shooting M196, so while some people will argue with me until I die, I had to replace a barrel due to the practice...

Short answer no with a maybe, long answer yes with a but.

 

[Ferstlerslim]

I thought about buying a bulk load of them. If i do, i'll play it safe and do a complete breakdown and cleanse. Good info.

Dave

 

[I Love Bourbon]

I've fired 10's of thousands of tracers (not an exageration) and I've never experianced the first problem. They've been fired through everything from a M11-9 up to the M-2 and have never corroded anything.

 

[bmyers]

If the gun is not cleaned it will corrode. May not be noticeable, but it will be going on. With a chrome lined or stainless barrel it would take a lot to notice it.

 

[GMtoblat]

Ive seen a M240B barrel melt from firing 400 rnds of pure tracer.

 

[SLIM86]

I've been told to stack them at least every 3rd round in the magazine. I suppose that is done to conserve tracer rounds being used

 

[chuckp]

As I posted in the other thread about this, tracers do not lite in a barrel. Any military gun that tracers are shot from would end up blowing up in the shooters face and they would have burning phosphorous embedded in their face.
Tracers have a brass cup on the back side where the phosphorous is, the pressure and heat from the burning powder is what sets them off outside of the barrel.
The powder in tracer rounds burns hotter to accomplish this. If you buy surplus powder you will see WC844 or WC844T also WC846 or WC846T

So how do they light ouside of the barrel? The ignition starts in the barrel then they reach full strength in flight. There is not a source of ignition outside of the barrel. Not much pressure or heat outside of the barrel.

chuck

 

[ssdoug]

I wanted some tracers just for fun . After reading this I still don't know what to do.

 

[OWGEM]

Buy 'um, shoot 'um and clean your gun. Much fun.

 

[teddy12b]

I've fired plenty of 22lr tracers through my 10-22 without issues. Some 5.56 tracers through the AR's, but between the two I actually think the 22lr tracers are more fun.