Reloads okay for CETME?

[grifter95]

I'm looking for some cheap components to load for my CETME and FALs. I know the FALs will shoot just about anything due to the adjustable gas system. But what about the CETME? Should I have any trouble loading some Frangible M-160 108.5gr bullets to approximately 3000 - 3100 fps? Should this be sufficient to cycle the action? My CETME has a bolt gap of .016" if that helps. My only other option that I can find really cheap is M25 - Tracer - 145 gr. I have never shot tracer ammunition. I know the 145gr at approx 2700 fps would cycle the action. But how much brush fire risk is there with the tracers? Anyone have any real experience with them? Thanks!

[Drew]

I don't know anything about reloading but I will say that every time we go to a range where we bring SAWS there is always a fire caused by tracers.

[Seattlefungus]

Ditto on the fire hazard on tracers. We started fires all the time on ranges in the military. A lot of ranges don't allow them and I think most of southern California has made them illegal. Not to mention the burning element causes the round to only be generally accurate and becomes a little "unstable" over 600 meters. Most were designed for controlling the area effect of full auto light, medium and heavy machine-guns. You don't use the sights much while shooting a machine gun, you adjust the tracers to lead into your target. The sights get you in the general area and the tracers do the rest. What that means to you is the ammo made for machine guns are not as tight for tolerances for accuracy as standard ball ammo. And a lot of the tracers area de milled surplus. So is of questionable quality anyway...

[Perro]

besides the tracer fire problem
if you use these bullets, you have to adjust your powder for like a 200 grain bullet cause the tracer bullet is much longer than a standard 147 grainer cause of the tracing compound. dont load tracer bullets to 147 grain specs

also - use military brass or you will most likely have a few case head seperations with this gun.
NATO brass works well

[grifter95]

Okay general consensius is no to the tracers. But what about the lighter Frangible M-160 108.5gr bullets? Will the CETME reliably fire lighter bullets? I know the 110gr work fine in my FALs. The recoil is much less then with 150s and 168s. Will this cause a problem with the CETMEs since they are roller locked?

[jfowl31]

Ive pulled the 147/150 gr bullets in SA surplus and seated 110 gr V-max bullets to the same OAL, and the rifle funtioned perfectly with really nice accuracy, and low recoil. I would assume that the 108.5 gr bullets wouldnt be much different.

If you're loading commercial brass, just buy a broken shell extractor because you can pretty much expect to have some case head separations.