50 Cal Spotter/Tracer

invf

Any experts out there on the M48A1/M48A2 projectiles? Specifically loaded in the BMG cartridges.

nononsense

invf,

It is fired in a semi-automatic weapon with a 20-round detachable magazine. Note that this rifle fires a round that is slightly smaller than the one used by the Browning BMG. The bullet is shorter, lighter and has a lower muzzle velocity

Cartridge, Caliber .50, Ball, Spotter-Tracer, M48A1/ M48A2
Caliber: 12.7 x 77 mm
Weapon Used In: M8C Spotting Rifle
Weight Complete: 0.107 kg
Length Complete: 114.81 mm
Packaging: 10 rounds per cardboard box
Packaging Weight: 1.070 kg

NOTE: The projectile contains a tracer element and an incendiary filler. On impact, the incendiary filler produces a puff of white smoke which aids in adjusting fire. The tracer element burns out at 1500 m. The spotter-tracer round is designed so that its trajectory closely matches the trajectory of the M40 recoilless rifle service munitions.



100 - .50 Cal M48-A1 - Spotter/Tracer - Red/Yellow Tip - Machine pulled
$40.00
500 - .50 Cal M48-A1 - Spotter/Tracer - Red/Yellow Tip - Machine pulled
$195.00



ADDED:

Government specs called for a minimum of 1500 yard trace and at only 1745 feet per second, this is a very long tracer burn time. In a comparison to US M33 Ball bullet, the profile ahead of the cannelure is the same, but the area below the cannelure is much longer to allow for the extra tracing compound. This bullet is nearly all pyrotechnic compound. Only a short cylindrical lead slug, about 1/2" long, in the center. The back half is all tracing compound, the front half is all flash and smoke mixture. Some models have a small primer mixture in the nose, but it was later determined that the mix goes off all by itself upon impact, so the primer mixture was dropped.

These bullets were intended only for low pressure applications. Spotter ammunition was loaded to 1745 feet per second, at 38,000 PSI. While the bullet fits a standard 50 BMG case just fine, it was not designed to handle the 50 BMG pressures. If loading these in a 50 BMG case, drop your load down to approach the original velocity and pressure. The standard Spotter-Tracer case was 76mm as opposed to the BMG case which is 99mm in length.

Best.

11b6r

You might check some of the .50 cal forums- The Spotter/Tracer bullet IS lighter than the 50 BMG, and some 50 cal rifle shooters DO use them for reloading. DO be very cautious in handling them- there is a NASTY little incendiary in the nose that does not like being poked (which makes reloading with them not the best idea I have heard this week) and civilian powders may or may not ignite tracer elements. Will have trajectories quite different from BMG rds.

givette

Sidenote: If off topic, I apologise.

Can the .50 propellant (those large grains used in US .50BMG rounds) and the USGI primers be purchased through commercial channels?

Thanks, Joe

EDIT:
BHAVIN: Thanks for the heads-up. Good to know. Best, Joe

BHAVIN

Yes to the powder, givette. Most places that you can get surplus rifle powder from will have it (there are several that advertise in Shotgun News). I am not sure about primers as most of the powder is pull down so new military primers are probably not available, You can get CCI Mil Spec primers though.