Older 30-06 orange tip tracer ammo ?

[randyrat]

I have some 30-06 Orange tipped tracers head stamped TW 53 Are these type 10 or M32 or what? are they worth collecting.
I wouldn't mind shooting them if I knew they were safe or just collect them...From what I had heard, some of the rounds don't glare until after 100 yards or so, to protect the shooters position.

Any info would be great

[Winger Ed.]

I bought a bunch of them and some AP pull downs at a gun show several years ago.
I've loaded them in .30-06 and .300WinMag.
They still work.

I'd keep & shoot them for the novelty of them.
As far as collector value- probably not much value there.

If you shoot them, I'd clean the barrel real well.
Without looking it up--- I'd guess 1953 issue ammo may have still had corrosive primers.

For display, I'd just load a dummy FMJ and paint the tip orange.

[one-eyed fat man]

...From what I had heard, some of the rounds don't glare until after 100 yards or so, to protect the shooters position...

According to TM 43-0001-27, Small Arms Ammunition Data Sheets, CARTRIDGE, CALIBER .30, TRACER, M25:

"In flight, the bullet exhibits a trace of full luminosity from a point not greater than 75 yards from the muzzle of the weapon to a point not less than 900 yards from the muzzle."

It is always fun watching the tacticool Soldiers of Fantasy who pride themselves on their bench rest at 25 yard shot groups whine about all their dud gun show tracers, never once knowing why they never see them light.

[randyrat]

Chances are, I will pull them down and reload them..I'll save em for some long range shots towards evening.

I would think it is Visa Versa; (point not less than 75 yards and not greater than 900 yards)

[too many things]

as said CLEAN the barrel don't matter about primer. the stuff in the bullet will do most harm

[beagle]

As I recall, the Orange Tipped Tracer rounds superceded the Red Tipped Version which was in use during WWII and Korea./beagle