Recent content by ilc

You're thinking of hydrogen, helium is inert.

It is a common misconception that high humidity = higher density or heavier air. High humidity air is physically less dense because the molecular weight of water is less than nitrogen or oxygen. It feels heavy or dense to humans because of its effects on evaporative cooling (sweat).

I think you've nailed it. Random numbers generated by a computer can convince people that they have discovered a magic load. Guns are just random number generators.

.25 all day, (as long as you do your part!) Seriously though, this has to be one of the best posts I have ever read on this forum. Unfortunately, despite its clarity and simplicity, we still get people coming up with lame excuses as to why they choose to define their rifle's accuracy using...

Just wondering if anyone uses a combination of the Hornady lock-n-load OAL gauge and the Forster Datum Dial kit? I'm thinking of purchasing the latter but I'm concerned there might be problems because the Forster dials aren't offset like the Hornady gauges.

We used to remove the plunger from our single shot target rifles, and pick the fired case out of the action. The theory was that with one side of the rim held back by the extractor, and the opposite side pushed forward by the plunger, if there was any slop the cartridge would be held at an angle...

Ok, here you go. Just say you have a rifle that shoots an average of 1.0" groups with an SD of 0.3". Approximately 0.15% of groups will be less than 0.1", i.e. more than 3 x SD less than the mean. I'm not sure if you have a problem with the math or the language, so let's just say that Varmint...

This is the truth of it all. In essence guns are just random number generators.

Translations: "My rifle shoots in the .2s" = if I fire enough shots, cross out the flyers, the ones I pulled, and the ones where the wind or sighting got me, sometimes I'll have 3 shots within .2 "My rifle shoots in the .2s if I do my bit" = I'm a poor shooter with delusions of grandeur and...

Even if you used a G1 or G7 BC that has been accurately calculated to three decimal points by Litz, it still might not be good enough to get you on target at long range. The reason is because the BC is not a drag function for your projectile, it is a scaling factor applied to another "standard"...

Yes, you always need to validate your drop at long range. There are too many variables at play, including muzzle velocity, ballistic coefficient, temperature, pressure, altitude etc. Published BCs may not be reliable, and the other factors can vary from hour to hour. You can true your trajectory...

I went through the same decision making process recently, and chose the MS. I like to develop loads based on group size. Once I get a load grouping well at 100yds I'll attach the MS and chronograph five or ten shots to get a velocity, then validate drop and group size at long range (without the...

I'm currently loading 40gr of AR2209 (H4350) behind a 95gr Nosler BT Hunting, which is fairly mild in my Tikka T3x lite. (NOTE - I'm using necked down 308 Lapua cases, not sure how this would compare to standard 243 brass.) 3 shot groups at 100 yds are .5 - 1", with good results on pigs, roos...

Wow, some great gear there Bud, a stock 308 and three other Rems that shoot .25" groups at 400. Scaled back to 100 that's 0.0625". The World Benchrest Championships 100yds HV this year was won with an agg of .1832, man you must clean up at these events! [EDIT - make that last year!]

You have received a lot of well meaning responses, however because none of us were with you they are all just speculation. My advice is to get an experienced long range shooter to go with you and shoot some paper to find out what the issue actually is. I'm not suggesting this is your...