6.5mm Tracer Performance

[stanc]

Something I don't recall ever being discussed in regard to the notional GPC: The focus so far of rounds like .264 USA, 6.5x43 Lapua, and 6.5 Grendel has been solely on the ball projectile, fired from rifles. However, the main reason behind the GPC concept was for machine gun use.

Machine guns require tracer ammo. Cross-sectional area of the tail of a 6.5mm tracer bullet will necessarily be much smaller than for 7.62mm, which seems certain to negatively affect tracer visibility.

Will 6.5mm tracer visibility perhaps be inadequate at the extended ranges for which the GPC is proposed? Does anybody know how the visibility of 6.5x55 m/41 Tracer compares to 7.62x51 M62 Tracer?

[Variable]

I dunno. I never found any 6.5 tracer for sale, and I've been too lazy to try making any. It should be better than 5.56?

[LR1955]

Tracer can be made bright or dull. Some you can only see using NVD's. It isn't the diameter of the bullet but the chemical composition of the tracer compound.

Never had issues seeing tracer except for into the sun, very bright, snow on the ground or light colored desert, no trees. Could not even see .50 cal tracer in those light conditions.

LR55

[stanc]

It isn't the diameter of the bullet but the chemical composition of the tracer compound.

Hmm. I had been told that M856 tracer can't be seen as well or as far as M62 tracer. So in your experience, 5.56 tracer was equally visible just as distant as 7.62 tracer?

[LR1955]

Hmm. I had been told that M856 tracer can't be seen as well or as far as M62 tracer. So in your experience, 5.56 tracer was equally visible just as distant as 7.62 tracer?

No.

But 856 is compatable with 855 as M-62 is M-80. I do not think it would be difficult to make a 6.5 tracer compatable with any sort of issued 6.5 ball round in terms of beaten zone and seeing the tracer to what ever would be considered a max effective range against an area target.

Seeing the tracer depends on the compound and the environment. If the mil wants a brighter tracer, I am sure it can be done. I wouldn't think it to be a limiting factor.