.50 Cal Spoter Round

[orcutteod]

I was wondering what is in the tip of a .50 cal spotter round that was used on the US 106 reconciles rifle. I know their is a primer that is staked in the tip to detonate whatever the contents are that create smoke. The only thing I can thing of is phosphorous.

 

[Slick]

http://cartridgecollectors.org/cmo/cmo08dec.htm

Some details there.

 

[tomsk]

the substance in the tip is i believe fulminate of mercury looks like grey powder

 

[HAZORD]

Fulminate of Mercury is much too sensitive to use as a bulk spotter filling, and it is a high explosive as used in detonators (blasting caps). Much too dangerous to be handled as ammunition is. The desired filling of the spotter round would be a flash producing low explosive.

 

[TimG]

More than likely - Barium Nitrate/Magnesium powder

TimG

 

[orcutteod]

I have seen a magnesium fire on the front landing gear on a F15 when the brakes locked up on take off. We had a hell of a time putting it out but saved the airplane.