Name: 0.50 Spotting Rifle
Availability: InStock

Item Type

Item State

Type

Guidance

Caliber

Spotter/tracer

Round length

Case length

Rim diameter

Bullet diameter

Bullet weight

Muzzle velocity

Muzzle energy

Sub-Saharan Africa

South Africa

Latin America and the Caribbean

Brazil

Northern America

United States

Southern Asia

India

Southern Europe

Greece

Spain

Western Europe

Belgium

<h2>Synonyms</h2><p>12.7 × 77 mm; 12.7 × 76 mm</p><h2>Armament</h2><p>Spotting Rifle M8 , used for targeting with M40 series 106 mm recoilless guns.</p><h2>Development</h2><p>This round was developed in the 1950s to be fired from the 0.50 Spotting Rifle M8 . The M8 is a purpose-built, semi-automatic, gas-operated rifle, attached to the barrel of the M40/M40A1 recoilless rifle and precisely aligned with it so that the gunner fires the spotting rifle, varying the aim until the incendiary filled bullet strikes the target. The main gun is then quickly fired. The spotting bullet and propelling charge are designed to match the trajectory of the main armament projectile, so that where the spotting bullet hits, the main projectile will also hit if fired almost immediately after the gunner observes the strike of the spotting bullet. The M40A1 is obsolete in US service, but is still in widespread use elsewhere.</p><h2>Description</h2><p>The round is a shortened version of the 0.50 Browning machine gun round, using a shorter case, reduced propellant charge and a special bullet. Its ballistics closely match those of the 106 mm M40/M40A1 recoilless rifles. The current service bullet is the Tracer M48A2 , a boat tailed bullet with flat tip. The jacket is brass, with a lead core to the mid and rear sections. The front section is filled with incendiary composition and has a small detonator in the bullet nose; the rear portion is counterbored and filled with tracer composition. The bullet gives a red trace from 100 to 1,300 m range; on striking the target it gives a flash and a smoke puff to indicate a hit.</p><p>BELGIUM</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>FN HERSTAL SA</p><p>Type: Spotter Tracer M48A1 : Lead core in brass envelope; tracer at rear, red trace visible from</p><p>100-1,300 m; illuminating composition in tip; 53.6 g; MV 532  m/s</p><p>BRAZIL</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos</p><p>Type: Spotter tracer M8C: Lead core, gilding metal jacket; dark ignition tracer 90-1,350 m;</p><p>illuminating composition in tip; 53.7 g; V 25 532 m/s</p><p>GREECE</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>PYRKAL: Greek Powder & Cartridge Company</p><p>Type: Spotter tracer M48A2 : Lead core, brass envelope; base tracer, illuminating composition in tip;</p><p>53.5 g; MV 545 m/s</p><p>INDIA</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>Ordnance Factory Khamaria</p><p>Type: Spotter tracer M48A2 : Lead core, brass envelope, base tracer, illuminating composition in tip;</p><p>53 g; MV 540 m/s</p><p>SOUTH AFRICA</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>PMP (Division of Denel )</p><p>Type: Spotter tracer M48A2 : Lead core, gilding metal envelope; base tracer, illuminating composition</p><p>in tip; 53 g; MV 540 m/s</p><p>SPAIN</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>SANTA BARBARA SA</p><p>Type: Spotter tracer M48A2 : Lead core, brass envelope; base tracer, illuminating composition in tip;</p><p>53 g; MV 550 m/s</p><p>UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p><h2>Manufacturer</h2><p>Government contractors</p><p>Type: Spotter tracer M48A2 : Lead core in brass jacket; tracer at rear, red trace to 1,300 m;</p><p>illuminating composition in tip; 53.6 g; MV 532 m/s</p><p>Practice tracer T249E1, T249E2: These resemble the service M48A2 but do not have the recessed</p><p>bullet tip and are inert except for their tracer filling. They simulate the flight of the M48A2 for training</p><p>purposes</p>

The round is a shortened version of the 0.50 Browning machine gun round, using a shorter case, reduced propellant charge and a special bullet. Its ballistics closely match those of the 106 mm M40/M40A1 recoilless rifles. The current service bullet is the Tracer M48A2 , a boat tailed bullet with flat tip.

The jacket is brass, with a lead core to the mid and rear sections. The front section is filled with incendiary composition and has a small detonator in the bullet nose; the rear portion is counterbored and filled with tracer composition. The bullet gives a red trace from 100 to 1,300 m range; on striking the target it gives a flash and a smoke puff to indicate a hit. This round was developed in the 1950s to be fired from the 0.50 Spotting Rifle M8. The M8 is a purpose-built, semi-automatic, gas-operated rifle, attached to the barrel of the M40/M40A1 recoilless rifle and precisely aligned with it so that the gunner fires the spotting rifle, varying the aim until the incendiary filled bullet strikes the target. The main gun is then quickly fired. The spotting bullet and propelling charge are designed to match the trajectory of the main armament projectile, so that where the spotting bullet hits, the main projectile will also hit if fired almost immediately after the gunner observes the strike of the spotting bullet. The M40A1 is obsolete in US service, but is still in widespread use elsewhere. Applications include spotting Rifle M8 , used for targeting with M40 series 106 mm recoilless guns.

0.50 Spotting Rifle

0.50 Spotting Rifle

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