The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Les wrote:It would definitely have to be Bengal matches. They're probably about as rare as 22lr tracers, though.

Think I still have some of those knocking around somewhere!

I was given a handfull of .22RF tracer years ago. The only markings on the rounds were what looked like a Christmas tree stamped on the base of the cartridge. All told five or six actually worked and looked quite impressive going downrange in the dark but most just went off like a normal rimfire round. The accuracy was pretty horrendous! And I dread to think what it did to my barrel....

Eley made .22 tracer rounds up until fairly recently (maybe 10 years ago). I found they had quite a short shelf life. New boxes were pretty well 100% reliable with a good bright trace out beyond 200 yards. Same lot, five years later only about 30% reliability.

I still have some but doubt if any would trace now.

I contacted Eley a couple of years ago to see if they were still available - No, and they have destroyed the machine.

I used Winchester 22 tracer in the past they had a blob of tracer compound off centre on the tip of the bullet, it was alight when it left the muzzle. They worked well as tracer but their accuracy used to leave something to be desired.

It looked as though it was barrel friction that ignited the compound, but it was a long time ago so my forgetery is not to trusted.

I certainly remember Eley making it late in the 1980's, it was used by the MoD in the rather fun FIBUA training range at Hythe and I recall looking at the 'E' headstamp.
Edit: 1066 already mentioned Eley, I should have refreshed the page!