[hanamizu]

“...The protocol for dummy rounds, which can’t be distinguished visually,...)

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Why would a dummy round need to look like a live round? You shouldn’t want anything denser than a wad (which can be deadly at very close range) coming out of the barrel.

[Fido969]

Why would a dummy round need to look like a live round?

A dummy (inert) round is used specifically when the gun is pointed toward the camera, unless the camera is operated remotely. It allows the viewer to see the bullets in the cylinder, giving it a realistic look.

That also suggests to me it was supposed to be dummy rounds, rather than blanks.