Illustration of 60-mm mortar practice shell from the U.S. WW2 technical manual: TM 9-1901: Artillery Ammunition, War Department Technical Manual, June 1944:
81. SHELL, PRACTICE, M50A2, W /FUZE, P.D., M52, 60-MM MORTARS, M1 and M2, COMPLETE ROUND (fig. 59), is a practice round provided for the 60-mm mortars by adapting service items for this purpose. Components of the M50A2 Practice Round are the same as are used in the M49A2 Service Round except for the high-explosive shell filler. The M50A2 Projectile has a filler of inert material (plaster of paris and stearic acid) and a black powder pellet (0.05 lb) loaded adjacent to the booster of the M52 Fuze. The M52 Fuze is a superquick fuze and shell is functioned before penetration occurs. The black powder pellet and booster charge provide a spotting charge for observation purposes. The shell is loaded to the same weight as the service round, thereby providing for the same ballistic values.
DATA
| With M52 or M52B2 Fuze |
With M52B1 (Plastic) Fuze |
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| Weight of complete round | 2.96 lb | 2.80 lb | ||
| Length of complete round | 9.54 in. | 9.54 in. | ||
| Muzzle velocity | 518 ft per sec* | 535 ft per sec* | ||
| Maximum range (at 45 deg) | 1.984 yd* | 2,017 yd* |
