The following is a 1000 yard .308 ballistic chart that was created using our free online ballistic calculator and details all aspects of the bullets trajectory from the millisecond it leaves the barrel until the time it reaches the 1,000 yd mark. To enhance its long-range performance, Sierra has reengineered the GameKing by adding a hollow point and a resin tip. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. If you look at the G1 bullet image, youll see that it resembles a common projectile shape from the 1800s era, give or take. Some hunters prefer a solid copper or solid gilding metal bullet. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ballistics is an odd, but fascinating science, and it can be intimidating to go too deep. A more efficient bullet will maintain its speed better, and its not affected as much by the environmental variables. Lets design a standard bullet and do all the math for that one. The ACE Match is only available in one caliber, and you might be wondering why this bullet is even mentioned. This cookie, set by Cloudflare, is used to support Cloudflare Bot Management. Ballistic coefficient is typically measured with a 3 digit expression. Backfire LLC owns and operates this website. The main benefit of the 55-grain bullet is its ballistic coefficient. How to Sight in a Scope - Step by Step Guide. Ballistics Test: The Best Big Game Bullets - RifleShooter The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". One more thing. ShootersCalculator.com | Ballistic Trajectory Calculator Let me hear from you in the comments below! Ballistics Basics: Bullet Efficiency And Ballistic Coefficients The higher the number the less drag, and the more efficiently the bullet cuts through the air. It takes a lot of research and development and field research by a good team of engineers to design a bullet that will both expand and hold together through a wide range of velocities. For example, the sectional density of a 175 grain .308 caliber bullet is: 175/7000/ (.308^2) = 0.264 (the bullet weight is divided by 7000 to . As Hornady moves the industry to drag coefficient based trajectory calculations for these types of projectiles, the Ballistic Coefficient is becoming somewhat irrelevant. 25 Cal - the Sweet Spot - Blackjack Bullets The higher the number the less drag, and the more efficiently the . It does not store any personal data. Since those early days, other smart folks have developed different predictive models on bullet flight based on a variety of bullet types. Thanks! Before you get into all the calculations, answer this question: what do you want the bullet to do when it hits what you're shooting at? As an example, the Hornady 6.5mm ELD Match bullet has a BC of 0.646 for the G1 drag model but a BC of 0.326 for the G7 drag model. J. Scott Rupp takes a first look at the Springfield M1A Loaded rifle chambered in the popular 6.5 Creedmoor. . A decent BC for a bullet based on the G1 drag model is in the 0.5-0.6 range, whereas the same bullets BC based on the G7 drag model will be in the 0.2-0.3 range. For the last several years, Hornady has developed some of the best long-range bullets on the market. Ballistic Coefficient: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know Get the latest news and reviews from Gundigest.com. Simply put, ballistic coefficient is a fudge factor. 5 Mk 1 Rifle: History of the 'Jungle Carbine', Kimber Hunter Pro Desolve Blak - A Lightweight Heavy Hitter, Browning BLR Lightweight '81 Stainless Takedown Lever Rifle, Mossberg Patriot Predator 6.5 PRC Rifle Review, Review: Springfield Armory M1A Loaded Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, RCBS ChargeMaster Lite Review: Not 'Lite' on Ability, Remington Model Seven SS HS Bolt-Action Rifle Review. This is shown by the smaller difference in BC between the two pointed bullets, .357 for the flat base and .400 for the boat tail. At the other end of the bullet, a boat tail (or tapered heel) reduces drag compared to a flat base. Ballistics Basics: Bullet Efficiency And Ballistic Coefficients, Gun Review: Nighthawk Border Special 1911, Classic Guns: The Ithaca Model 37 Shotgun. The extremely poor SD of the .224" bullet lowers its BC, even though its shape is similar to the others. Hunters who choose a 195 Berger EOL hunting bullet compared to a 140gr Nosler Accubond-even if both bullets are shot at 2,800fps- would see 6 less drop and 8 less wind drift at 500 yards. But in a shtf scenario the gun I want is a AC-130 Spectre a lottery winners dream come true. These projectiles even come with a polishing cloth. All three of these bullets have a sectional density (which is the ratio of a bullet's diameter to its weight) of .242, because they are all .243" in diameter and weigh 100 grains. Available Calibers: 6mm, 6.5mm, and .308. These variables, which well discuss in the next column, can change each time and location you shoot. This Sierra Pro-Hunter is also a .308, 150-grain . The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". How to Choose The Right Hunting Bullet | Outdoor Life In addition to the standard G series bullet profiles, a Custom Drag Curve (CDC) can be used for a specific bullet which is the actual drag characteristics for that bullet. shooters. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Mag @ 100 yds. In this comparison, the 6.5mm 144 gr bullet has a G7 BC of 0.336, while the 30 cal 175 grain OTM has a G7 BC of 0.263. CNC machined solids are probably the best for higher BC (handloaded only) and the most expensive to produce. The longer they have to act on your projectile, the more of an effect theyll have. A quarter flying this way makes a lousy bullet, right? All bullets start to slow down the moment they leave the barrel. I may earn a small part of the sale from links to any products or services on this site. One of the hallmarks of a great big game bullet is its ability to offer good terminal performance from very close range to long range. The same Doppler radar verified Heat-Shield Tip is unaffected by aerodynamic heating and retains its shape to offer some of the highest BCs you can find in a hunting bullet. At the very bottom, you see the BC listed. 11 Best Rifle Calibers For Precision Shooting - BadAssOptic 10 Best 6.5mm Rifle Cartridges Available Right Now Ballistic coefficient makes a tremendous difference in downrange ballistics. On the other hand, the G1 BC above 3000 fps can be 0.590, while the average from 3000 fps to 1500 fps is only 0.533. All measures of ballistic performance including drop and wind deflection . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Both can be launched at the same speed, but an arrow will fly farther because it doesnt slow down as much due to wind resistance and therefore maintains its speed better. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. (, We noticed that you have previously logged in with your, Check what do you get by creating an account, Bookmark and compare your favorite firearms, Ballistic Coefficient: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know, One of the first terms I ran across while discovering my fascination with long-range shooting was. Adding more tin, the weight can go down to 545gr from the same mold. Manufacturers might be tempted to advertise high BCs for their bullets, and the comparison to the drag model is more complicated than I made it out to be and actually changes with speed. There is a pretty big difference in trajectory between the round nose bullet and the two pointed bullets, making it obvious why it is folly to choose a round nose bullet for long range shooting with a high velocity rifle like a 6mm Remington or .243 Winchester. Enfield No. The unsurprising part is that, on average, a .40-caliber bullet makes a 6-percent-larger hole than a 9 mm bullet, and a .45-caliber bullet makes a 6-percent-larger hole than a .40-caliber bullet . These two bullets, while of the same weight, have different ballistic coefficients. This also applies to the shooter's skills. Back in the day, guys with lots of time on their hands fired boatloads of projectiles to figure out how they behaved in flight. As for distances, I'd already decided to choose 50 yards as the close mark, and after some discussion the editor settled on a max of 400 yards- a long shot, for sure, but a range at which most accomplished riflemen can make clean, ethical hits from field positions. Given that there is an infinite number of bullet types, weights, and shapes, doing all the math for each would be an impossible task. The extent of how much a BC will change depends on each unique bullet shape. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. I'm looking at building my own ballistic computer and it's been difficult to find the actual equations for not only bc but for everything else for long distance shooting. .277 Fury: The Army's Newest Cartridge's Background And Ballistics Not really. Good write-up Tom. Ballistic Coefficient: 0.14 Bullet Weight: 115 gr Initial Velocity: 1100 fps . e dont want slow bullets. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Some big, heavy, and efficient bullets like the .50 BMG can have a ballistic coefficient greater than one, but that topic is for another day. These differences are real, but unlikely to make or break a shot at a big game animal. Copyright 2023 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This website uses cookies and third party services. Unfortunately, many shooters did not understand that Hornady was listing a more useable 800 yard BC while other manufacturers list 200 yard* BCs. Ballistic coefficient makes a tremendous difference in downrange ballistics. This is an Alexa Analytics cookie that is used to track user behavior. Knowing ballistic coefficient allows you to calculate how far your round flies as it loses velocity. Spitzer, which means pointed, is a more efficient shape than a round nose or a flat point. A bullets efficiency is measured by its ballistic coefficient (BC). It has a better trajectory than the lighter 36-grain and 40-grain bullets. Still the most popular .338 magnum in the world, the .338 Win. There are lots of ways to get around the expense These bullets will withstand high-velocity impact at close range and still deliver expansion at distances to and beyond 800 yards. Put another way, its the ratio of the bullets sectional density to its coefficient of form. Some manufacturers offer BC values at different velocity ranges. For most calibers there are several different bullets available, so you want to consider what you want the bullet to do 1st, then decide which weight & shape will work best for you. This brings the cartridge into the mix, and possibly a trade-off in muzzle velocity for heavier bullets. 1 Single-Shot Rifle: Tips to Improve Its Accuracy, Wilson Combat Paul Howe Tactical 6.5 Creedmoor: Full Review of the Versatility Champ, .45-70 vs .450 Bushmaster Cartridge Clash, 10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now, Sweet Scents of Gun Solvents and Oils: 12 Perfumes for Firearms, .375 H&H Mag. What Is Ballistic Coefficient? - The Lodge at AmmoToGo.com You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The Matchking has a coefficient of 0.417. Due to their size, in some cases, they will only work with custom rifles with longer-than-normal magazine boxes. When it comes to hunting or defensive use, you need the bullet to be in a certain velocity range to ensure the expansion of the projectile when it hits a target. Please let me know how it can be improved upon. External/environmental variables, such as air pressure, temperature, altitude and humidity can change the density of the air. A cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface. Both bullets for loading and ammo are available in 6mm, 6.5mm,. If we change the density of what the two objects are traveling through, the less-efficient tennis ball will be affected by the change more. But a higher ballistic coefficient doesnt necessarily mean it is a better bullet. The BC-enhancing polymer tip initiates expansion, and the LRX deforms with four razor-sharp petals that create a large frontal diameter. Therefore, rather than simply loading down to simulate 400-yard impact velocities (which has the unavoidable side effect of reducing rotational velocity), we set gel blocks out at 400 yards and shot them. Ballistic Effectiveness: Which Handgun Caliber Wins? Speed and Energy are figured out using an average of all the known cartridges. Each one of these projectiles is engineered for tight groups at long range, By For example, a lead round-nosed bullet can sure pack a punch! And this means it will also be less affected by external variables. Mathematically, it is the ratio of a bullet's sectional density to its coefficient of form. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. G1 Ballistic Coefficient - this is the older system of measuring BC and is more suitable for flat based bullets, although many bullet manufacturers use this coefficient for boat tail bullets as well, as it is more commonly found. Just $1 per month , Without the right bullets, you wont get very far. The round design lowers the BC and creates more drag compared to a modern Spitzer round. Am I long range shooter? This is a specialized bullet intended for a specialized purpose: killing big-game animals at extreme distances. OK, so with the Sierra flat point Pro-Hunter, I picked an unusual bullet to illustrate a long-range shooting ballistic concept, but thats OK. As a shorter-range hunting bullet, its going to show the impacts of differences in ballistic coefficient more dramatically. Unfortunately its not as simple as just comparing the single numbers. A bullet with a high ballistic coefficient is slippery and less subject to drag (slowing down) as it continues on its merry way. Learn more . Mag. For example, a Hornady 100 grain round nose 6mm bullet has a BC of .216; a Hornady 100 grain spire point 6mm bullet has a BC of .357, and a Hornady 100 grain boat tail spire point 6mm bullet has a BC of .400. Youtube - Track the views of embedded videos. One must take barrel twist into account depending on the type of 243 Win cartridge that is fired. That said, here are the super bullets that are best suited to the .30-06. For example, if you like to shoot old cap and ball revolvers you are familiar with standard round balls as projectiles. Travis Pike is a Marine infantry veteran, firearms enthusiast, and NRA certified instructor. I just returned from the range today and found out some interesting stuff about b.c. The same weight bullets from other manufacturers will have different BC's, because they are slightly different shapes. 30cal and. When doing pre-purchase research either on the web or at the store, the increased performance of the ELD Match and ELD-X bullets wasnt always realized in a head-to-head BC comparison. Ryan Cleckner is a a former special operations sniper and author of the Long Range Shooting Handbook. 10 Best Long-Range Rifle Cartridges Ever Made - Game & Fish Groups shrank as small as .328" @ 100yds. One of the first terms I ran across while discovering my fascination with long-range shooting was ballistic coefficient. ; ), BC = Section Density divided by Form Factor. Available Calibers: .224, 6mm, 6.5mm, .277, 7mm, .308, .338, and .375. Available Calibers: 6.5mm, 7mm, and .308. Which explains why .22 bullets drop so much at long range and are so subject to wind drift, compared to larger caliber bullets with superior sectional densities (and hence, BC's). RifleShooter Magazine editor Scott Rupp breaks down all the features of the Mossberg Patriot Predator rifle chambered in 6.5 PRC. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The G7 is more representative of the current state of rifle rounds. Apr 3, 2014. Eight major concealed carry insurance programs are now available to the millions of Americans who carry concealed. As Sectional Density is a key input to Ballistic Coefficient, well look at that first. Ive put together a convenient table of the highest BC bullets on the market. I assume the muzzle energy for the 2 bullets has a typo. .243" 100 grain Spire Point BT (BC .400): -1.5" @ muzzle, +3.6" @ 100 yards, +4.4" @ 200 yards, 0 @ 300 yards, -10.4" @ 400 yards, -28.6" @ 500 yards. guns & A bullet's BC will differ depending on whether the G1 or G7 drag model is used. Copyright 2001, 2013 by Chuck Hawks. | Ballistic coefficient, and to an extent drag itself, is what is going to determine some of the most important factors in shooting. Correct? Fifty years ago, when hunters argued over which cartridge was best, they focused on muzzle velocity. Shooters taking these long shots have to factor in their BC to ensure the round gets where its going. The base is a boat-tail shape. In this comparison, the 6.5mm 144 gr bullet has a G7 BC of 0.336, while the 30 cal 175 grain OTM has a G7 BC of 0.263. These hypothetical examples show us two things: 1) A more aerodynamically efficient bullet wont slow down as much on its way to the target, and 2) efficiency doesnt matter as much when the air density is low (thin air). Punching holes in a target? is both capable and popular, especially on the heavy-bodied game where bullet performance becomes critical. Ballistic Coefficient is the capacity of the projectile to keep as much velocity as possible in comparison to the standard projectile. Maybe I cant slam dunk like Jordan but I can still enjoy the NBA right? Ballistic Coefficient & Bullet Math : Long-Range Shooting Science It has a tangent ogive, tapered jacket, sleek boattail, and a bonded core that hides behind a grey polymer tip. The bigger the ballistic coefficient number, the more slippery the bullet, so it flies farther and faster than one with a lower coefficient. Bullets with low sectional density are short and fat. 600 Rounds Winchester 5.56 55Grain XM193 FMJ Stripper Clips & Tool $240.00 FREE S&H REBATE, AR-15 Barrel Length Does It Even Matter? Spitzer rounds with a boat tail have a slightly higher BC than Spitzer rounds with a flat base. Newly Published base of comparison. Most of the professional ballisticians I've spoken with agree that a projectile's rotational velocity has little effect on impact expansion. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Sectional density is easy to calculate because it simply depends on the bullets caliber and weight. Ballistic Coefficient (BC) values can, and usually do change in value with changes in velocity. The highest-BC 7mm match bullet is the 190gr Hornady A-Tip Match, and the highest-BC 7mm hunting bullet is the 195gr Berger EOL Elite Hunter. Three words: Use Berger Bullets! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. BC is mostly used by rifle shooters. To illustrate the practical difference between these three styles of bullets, let's use Hornady's trajectory figures for the 100 grain 6mm bullets above. Weight Bullet Sectional Ballistic Coefficients # (inches) (grains) Type Density and Velocity Ranges Sierra The Bulletsmiths TM TM. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. With that said, the number the manufacturer gives you is a rough estimate. When this happens dont leave! The Matchking has a coefficient of 0.417. There are actually several different standard projectiles with different measurements and they each measure drag in a different way. This is because of drag caused by wind resistance. YouTube - Store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen. Their new A-Tip bullet has a precision-machined, aero-ballistically-advanced aluminum tip, and the ogive (the curve of a bullets front section) and boattail are optimized for each caliber. These days, most bullet data is published with BC numbers for the traditional G1 drag model, but given the explosion of long-range shooting interest, more are also publishing numbers for the G7 model which is more accurate for sleek and slender long range bullets. But it can also be rewarding, and highly educational. There is a large push among long-range experts to move the industry to the G7 projectile. The higher the BC, the less drag on the bullet. Why Is Knowing Your Rounds BC Important? Theyre sequentially packaged and arent bulk washed after manufacture to protect their integrity. Remember that in our example, the Matchking had a coefficient of 0.417 while the Pro-Hunter had a BC of 0.185. Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a mathematical representation of how efficiently a bullet flies through the air. The __gads cookie, set by Google, is stored under DoubleClick domain and tracks the number of times users see an advert, measures the success of the campaign and calculates its revenue. Its currently available in loaded ammunition and as a component for handloaders in .277, .284, and .308 calibers. Weight retention (175.9 grains) was a remarkable 98 percent, and the expanded bullet measured 0.69 inch, actually larger than at 50 yards. Scott Rupp gets a chance to talk to Aaron Oelger about a few new products from Hodgdon and why reloading store shelves are empty. Finally, if your goal is to indicate performance potential of a bullet at long range, you have to consider the muzzle velocity of the bullet as well as the BC. Ballistic Coefficient values at Mach 1.75 (1954 fps @ ICAO Standard Atmosphere), should be used when calculating trajectories for shooting beyond 600 yds. During this time of overwhelming demand, our team is doing everything possible to produce more bullets and ammo than ever before. Getting consistent hits at extreme distances requires specialized rifles and optics. 30 Cal .308 178 gr ELD-X. Different tasks require different types of bullets, and in some cases, BC is the last thing a shooter needs to consider. You'll now receive newsletters of our best articles on techniques, Two measurements that help define the downrange performance of a bullet are ballistic coefficient and sectional density. It may seem as simple as comparing numbers printed on the bullet box, but there are some considerations to be aware of to make intelligent comparisons of BC. It also demands purpose-built bullets. A variation of the _gat cookie set by Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager to allow website owners to track visitor behaviour and measure site performance. Hornady now publishes 200 yard Mach 2.25 (2,512 fps @ ICAO Standard Atmosphere**) G1 and G7 Ballistic Coefficient (BC) numbers for all A-Tip, ELD-X, and ELD Match bullets. Therefore, these variables are mostly a concern when youre trying to determine the change in your bullets speed from the last time(s) you went shooting.