Pulling apart tracer ammo?

David Sinko

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I was just given eight rounds of 9mm tracer ammo that was made by some outfit called National Cartridge Co., a division of Firearms Management Co. Inc. of Atlanta, GA. So says the box. These rounds appear to be of poor quality, with sticky sizing lube still stuck to them and some really ugly looking dented primers. The brass is actually headstamped "National." They look like somebody's first attempt at handloading. Is it possible to pull the bullets and load them in quality brass with quality primers? Is a tracer not just a regular FMJ bullet with something on the base that burns? Basically I want to perform a transplant of sorts but I don't know if that's a wise thing to do with tracer rounds.

Dave Sinko
 
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No particular danger in pulling the projectiles though they may well be seald with an asphalt sealant that can make the pull difficult. Try using your loading press to push the bullet slightly deeper in the case then put the round in an impact puller. Pushing the bullet in deeper will break the seal.
 
Warning

The danger of tracer ammo is down range. There is good chance they can start a fire. Because of this and insurance liabilities most ranges prohibit the use of tracer ammo.:(
 
Tracers are just jacketed bullets with a concave base to hold a pyrotechnic mixture. Most pistol tracers I've seen had a red tip painted on the bullets.

From your description it sounds like they may already be reloaded.
 
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