50 cal Spotter Round

Prior to today, I didn't even know these existed but now I would like to have one if anyone knows someone who has them available for purchase.

Spotted this odd cartridge case in a display case at a flea market today. Obviously a 50 caliber casing but only half the size of the 50 cal BMG. Fellow explained what it was for, a spotting cartridge for the US military recoil less rifle. As these made a huge cloud of dust/debris/smoke, they fired this first to determine whether they could hit the target with the regular round.

I did come home with the casing but I'd like to get a full cartridge.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aragorn243

As these made a huge cloud of dust/debris/smoke

---

The projectile has a filler of magnesium and phosphorus, that is a tracer element and the magnesium powder to ignite and give you a brilliant flash, white puff and sharp report upon striking a hard target. The marking is red/orange tip... I too have a LC casing and a ball bullet filler. I was 106mm Recoilless anti tank Pl for a spell too and never did capture a live one. Have a look..

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

From my collection 106mm Spotter on the left against full size .5 Prac & Ball

I have a source for a box of 10. Are these rare enough that I should invest in it?

M8 Spotting round(dangerous bloody things.....don't drop them on their tip)Attachment 92124

Yes they were used on the Wombat recoilless rifles prior to the main round being fired to ensure accurate on target

Look at 1:11 on this video of firepower in 1961 but the Wombat stayed in service till the late 70's.

All Arms In Action (1961) - YouTube

Usually a $3-$4 round. I have a spare or two if you plan to come to the Ag-Hall or Oaks shows. You can also try to hit our PA Cartridge Show August 17-18.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by muffett.2008

don't drop them on their tip)

---

That's why I didn't want a live one. They're actually dangerous.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aragorn243

Are these rare

---

Except for the shipping thing, they would sell high around here I think. Way more than $3-4 USD...

What is the ag hall show? I do go to Oaks regularly, plus Harrisburg, York, Gettysburg.

So they sort of have a primer at both ends and two explosive charges in the middle, one in the cartridge, one in the bullet in front of tracer charge.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by browningautorifle

That's why I didn't want a live one. They're actually dangerous

---

As in it could go off by dropping it? What’s the mechanism of ignition?
In my younger and more, uh, experimental days I once held an EMPTY, primed shotgun shell with a pair of vise grips and tried to set the primer off with a ball peen. Not my shining moment in firearms education, granted, but I certainly wouldn’t call a primer “sensitive” thanks to that experiment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rcathey

As in it could go off by dropping it? What’s the mechanism of ignition?

---

They go off when they strike the target, that's good enough for me. Take a look at the link I provided for the cut away look inside...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rcathey

an EMPTY, primed shotgun shell

---

I on the other hand was using them as targets with my Red Rider BB gun and the primer DID go off...no surprise now to us...from about 6 yards...

On the other hand I can give you testimony of one .44 magnum that exploded when it was dropped to a concrete floor...hit a nubbin of some kind I guess... I can go on...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Take a look at the link I provided for the cut away look inside...

---

Oh my. I get it now. Yeah, I don’t want any of those around here either. I can just see the cat batting it off the shelf. On the other hand, I guess that would teach her to stop doing that to everything not glued down!

As for the moggy batting it that and probably the resultant fire from the incendiary part should keep you all entertained for a bit........:madsmile:

Not a lover of white phos. my legs can testify to it's effects.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aragorn243

What is the ag hall show? I do go to Oaks regularly, plus Harrisburg, York, Gettysburg.

---

Agricultural Hall, Forks of the Delaware, Allentown.

FWIW, if you're buying them for more than $3-4, you're going to the wrong places to buy collector/old ammo.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jonnyc

if you're buying them for more than $3-4,

---

This is Canada, they just don't appear here. They cost what the collectors ask. Furthermore see above for why I'll paint up a ball bullet to cover off my collection.

IIRC this ctg was issued with a cardboard sleeve around the bullet to protect it. Sleeve was removed before loading in spotting rifle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by green

a cardboard sleeve

---

Thank you...I had forgotten...it was 1976 or so after all...