tracer ammo

Potatoes last one shot, so build reusable! Discuss ammo designs and ideas. Tough to find cannon part or questions? Ask here!
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rna_duelers
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:02 pm

I've got rifled barrels so I could give it a go,but first I have to finish my other projects.

But with the powder trail I'm not so sure if it would all just be blow off as soon as it leaves the muzzle leaving a mist of glowing dust infront of you and no sight of the projectile.Just try making some ammo with powder mixed in with it you'd be surprised by the "trail" you would see form a glowing projectile and they would also be re-useable because you could see them at night time easily on the ground.
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qbnbountyhunter
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:15 pm

You do make a strong point, rna_duelers, you gotta be real meticulous and careful how you design the ammo because of the risk of the dust blasting into a cloud and you could inhale it and be in real trouble :shock: , other than that, it would be one fun filled project.

The way that real tracers work it that they have a special coated point that is some chemical powder. This powder is REALLY sensitive to heat. So when the bullet is fired, the friction between air and the bullet sets off the powder to burn and make a "trail" of smoke.

It would be near impossible to make this type of tracer because a typical tracer round goes around 2-5,000FPS. My pnuematic has trouble to go past 500FPS :wink:
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VH_man
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:40 pm

no, real tracers work by implainting a small amound of magnesium in the back of the bullet. this magnesium is ignited when the powder is ignited behind it.
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qbnbountyhunter
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:09 pm

what type of tracers or you talking about?

look at the tip of the bullet-the colored tip is the powder that burns to create a smoke trail

http://content.answers.com/main/content ... rounds.jpg

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VH_man
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:31 pm

my bad, i didnt know they made those..........
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qbnbountyhunter
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Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:34 pm

Dont worry about it.
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jackssmirkingrevenge
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Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:38 am

look at the tip of the bullet-the colored tip is the powder that burns to create a smoke trail
Where did you read this? Usually the coloured tip is an identifier, but the visible light is produced by a burning composition at the base of the bullet that is ignited by the propelling charge.

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Why not mix glow in the dark airsoft BBs with your wax slugs?
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qbnbountyhunter
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Fri Dec 21, 2007 1:02 am

I read it in some gun magazine and Im pretty sure it was in a Mythbusters episode. Its true that the tip does identify the color of the smoke, but if the magnisium powder was at the base of the bullet, then it would explode with the fire of the gunshot, even with the seal. Im positive that this is how tracers work, but there can most definately be a tracer with the powder at the base of the bullet.

EDIT*****
I am sorry, I did some quick research on tracers and i apologize. there are tracers with the powder in the base, in fact they are most common.
My apologies, but I did find some tracers with a friction sensitive coating.
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Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:51 am

What about just inserting a glow stick into you normal wax slug? That or attach it with fishing line.
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rna_duelers
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Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:25 am

There are tracer rounds which are coated in a phosphorus like chemical and the wind passing over it at the high velocities makes enough friction just from the air to illuminate it.And of course the more common with the base filled with an incendiary material.

Just shoot out some sabo glow sticks!
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Spitfire
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Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:25 pm

What about attatching a smoke bomb on the end, wouldent that work?
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ALIHISGREAT
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Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:27 pm

Spitfire wrote:What about attatching a smoke bomb on the end, wouldent that work?
yes probably... and how would you suggest creating said smoke realeasing device?
iknowmy3tables
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Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:41 pm

I use a half dead battery and old Christmas lights, works pretty well,

you cold try something like this
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Spitfire
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Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:47 pm

1part Saltpeter to 1part sugar, melt them down, and let set in desired shape. For more potency, use 1suger to 2 saltpeter.
iknowmy3tables
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Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:53 pm

solid rocket propellant I don't think thats what were aiming for and against the rules of this forum were looking for non-incendiary projectiles
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