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I am looking to pick some brains about tracer bullets.
I have seen some 308 tracer bullets for sale but so far have not seen any 223 in the UK any suggestions where I could get some?
Is it safe to fire tracers through a moderator?
I have Vit N140 is that a suitable powder to use
Any other useful information would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sam

Apart from load adjustment, you may find your twist rate is not fast enough to stabilise tracer. IIRC A 223 Tikka comes in 14", 12" and 8" (or is it 9"?), and the 8" will be the one you'll most likely need to shoot tracer successfully. If your Howa has a 1:10" twist barrel then it should be OK with tracer too.

Mattnall,

Thanks, the Tikka (223) is a 1 in 12 twist and the Howa (1 in 10) is a 1 in 10 twist

Mattnall wrote:Apart from load adjustment, you may find your twist rate is not fast enough to stabilise tracer. IIRC A 223 Tikka comes in 14", 12" and 8" (or is it 9"?), and the 8" will be the one you'll most likely need to shoot tracer successfully. If your Howa has a 1:10" twist barrel then it should be OK with tracer too.

I believe the Tikka would be a 1:8" twist. I have a CZ 527 which is a 1:9" twist and can confirm that a 62gr tracer stabilises fine, with a typical 223 trajectory out to around 1,000 yards.

WelshShooter wrote:

Mattnall wrote:Apart from load adjustment, you may find your twist rate is not fast enough to stabilise tracer. IIRC A 223 Tikka comes in 14", 12" and 8" (or is it 9"?), and the 8" will be the one you'll most likely need to shoot tracer successfully. If your Howa has a 1:10" twist barrel then it should be OK with tracer too.

I believe the Tikka would be a 1:8" twist. I have a CZ 527 which is a 1:9" twist and can confirm that a 62gr tracer stabilises fine, with a typical 223 trajectory out to around 1,000 yards.

The model I have is definitely a 1 in 12 twist

I think Tikka made it in a 1:8", 1:12" and a 1:14" version.
The 1:8" may have been a 1:9" but I seem to think it was 8" - I had to buy one for a customer a while back and I seem to remember there was a small range of twists available as standard from Tikka (he opted for a 1:12").

1:12" will most likely struggle to stabilise tracer.

shotgun sam wrote:

WelshShooter wrote:

Mattnall wrote:Apart from load adjustment, you may find your twist rate is not fast enough to stabilise tracer. IIRC A 223 Tikka comes in 14", 12" and 8" (or is it 9"?), and the 8" will be the one you'll most likely need to shoot tracer successfully. If your Howa has a 1:10" twist barrel then it should be OK with tracer too.

I believe the Tikka would be a 1:8" twist. I have a CZ 527 which is a 1:9" twist and can confirm that a 62gr tracer stabilises fine, with a typical 223 trajectory out to around 1,000 yards.

The model I have is definitely a 1 in 12 twist

Yes, I know they also come in 1:12". My comment regarding 1:8" twist was to confirm Mattnall's statement as he wasn't sure if it were 1:9" on 1:8". I almost bought one of these a few years ago but the 1:8" twist versions were like rocking horse poo so I went with the CZ.

WelshShooter wrote:
Yes, I know they also come in 1:12". My comment regarding 1:8" twist was to confirm Mattnall's statement as he wasn't sure if it were 1:9" on 1:8". I almost bought one of these a few years ago but the 1:8" twist versions were like rocking horse poo so I went with the CZ.

Thanks.
When we looked there was one that I thought was more desirable with a faster twist suitable for my shooting needs, but the guy buying was a sports shooter and just wanted to shoot 55gn and lighter bullets at furry stuff so opted for the 1:12".

I've found the main problem is getting the right weather conditions to actually see/make use of them!! Unless your range permits night shoots the best you'll get unless its REALLY overcast is a faint glow through your scope

FYI I bought my .308 bullets from ITL at the Northern Shooting Show last year and complete .223 rounds from York Guns at least 5 years ago. I've only ever used them on the Otterburn field firing ranges in Northumberland