50 cal Spotter Round

[Aragorn243]

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.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

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

[CINDERS]

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

[Aragorn243]

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

[browningautorifle]

don't drop them on their tip)

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

Are these rare

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

[rcathey]

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.

[browningautorifle]

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...

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...

[rcathey]

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!

[muffett.2008]

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

[Gil Boyd]

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.