Question on Tracer colors?

[jessipo1]

I was wondering if there's an explanation for this: when I watch videos of tracers during a firefight, it seems like some are green and some are red and some are yellow. Is that because of the bullet or is that something that the video technology does to differentiate the bullets from each other, ie our bullets are green and the enemy's are red, etc.? Or is there some other explanation? Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but I figured if anyone would know it would be you guys.... Thanks in advance for the help & info.

Take it easy,

JP

[SouthernDZ]

Originally Posted by jessipo1

I was wondering if there's an explanation for this: when I watch videos of tracers during a firefight, it seems like some are green and some are red and some are yellow. Is that because of the bullet or is that something that the video technology does to differentiate the bullets from each other, ie our bullets are green and the enemy's are red, etc.? Or is there some other explanation? Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but I figured if anyone would know it would be you guys....

Tracers (bright, subdued and dim) are constructed with a hollow base filled with a pyrotechnic (usually phosphorus or magnesium). U.S./NATO ammunition usually has a mixture of strontium salts and a metal fuel such as magnesium; this results in the bright red light. Most ammunition for Russian and Chinese weapons generate green light (from the use of barium salts). As an old military adage puts it: “tracers work both ways.”

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by jessipo1

I was wondering if there's an explanation for this: when I watch videos of tracers during a firefight, it seems like some are green and some are red and some are yellow. Is that because of the bullet or is that something that the video technology does to differentiate the bullets from each other, ie our bullets are green and the enemy's are red, etc.? Or is there some other explanation? Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but I figured if anyone would know it would be you guys.... Thanks in advance for the help & info.

Take it easy,

JP

JP:

Don't be afraid to try google first before asking.

TR

[jessipo1]

Thank you Southern DZ and ND for your helpful replies. I must apologize for not having thanked you sooner than this, but my internet connection (or maybe it was the satellite or something?) decided to go crazy & I couldn't get back online until the problem was fixed, today. I hope you will overlook my 'pas de faux' as, unfortunately, it could not be helped.

ND, you're absolutely right! Where was my head at? I do sincerely apologize for wasting everyone's time. That was terribly rude of me and it won't happen again. (That's one of my better qualities. I don't usually repeat my mistakes, once I've caught on to them. Oy! )

You both were too kind to humour me and I do appreciate your patience and kind replies. Merci très beaucoup.

Most respectfully,

JP