Buddy threw me a curve

[Ray Fryar]

Hello all, I have been loading for somewhere around 30 years and loading for long range for about 10 years, a Buddy of mine wanted me to help him with a load for his 30-06 I said no problem just bring the rifle over and we can try some different loads and see what it likes. The next thing I know he is emailing me wanting to know BCs and this one got me SGs what he said was gyro stability, this guy has never loaded a round in his life and has been watching some videos and now says we will have to have all of this information to produce accurate long range ammunition. Any comments about this would be greatly appreciated. (just so I can ease my mind about the way I have been loading my ammo wrong for all this time lol) Thanks

 

[MudRunner2005]

Bullet specs, BC, twist rate, velocity, temp, & altitude determines your SG.

Here's a quick and easy SG calculator to use...

http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/

 

[Ray Fryar]

Bullet specs, BC, twist rate, velocity, temp, & altitude determines your SG.

Here's a quick and easy SG calculator to use...

http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/

Thank you, I guess I am just was trying to get him to under stand that until the load development to get good velocity and a consistent POI, that all of that just dons't matter until after you come up with a good load then you can input all of the information in to a exterior ballistics calculator and get all of the information about contributing factors on your load and bullet, ie wind, drop the curvature of the earth or anything else that may be a factor.

 

[trumperman]

Tag

 

[MudRunner2005]

Thank you, I guess I am just was trying to get him to under stand that until the load development to get good velocity and a consistent POI, that all of that just dons't matter until after you come up with a good load then you can input all of the information in to a exterior ballistics calculator and get all of the information about contributing factors on your load and bullet, ie wind, drop the curvature of the earth or anything else that may be a factor.

You are exactly right. It doesn't matter what every piece of paper, loading manual, expert, manufacturer, or ballistics calculator tells you...If that load doesn't shoot in your gun, you're no better off than shooting a shotgun with iron sights. Load development and load consistency checks (in different temps & climates) should always be done first.

Load development first, check for consistency, confirm SG, confirm drops, input info into your ballistics calculators. Sometime calculators can even be off, so always confirm your drops before just trusting what the calculator says.

 

[desertcj]

I think maybe he just means that you need to use a bullet that will stabilize in his rifle with whatever twist rate he has?

 

[Mikecr]

He might just want to pick the right bullet for his barrel -before you go through all the trouble of load development. This does matter, as it all begins with a bullet.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

It is best to figure out whether or not a given bullet will work properly with the rifle that will be shooting it before going through the time and expense of load development. This can be done with the proper info for the bullet and rifle. Ie bullet length, weight, and barrel twist. Along with expected vel. Vel plays a minor role compared to the other factors. It is my opinion that when figuring out projectiles for hunting the atmospheric conditions should be set for standard at sea level. If figuring out for target go ahead and figure in the altitude. Colder temps will play a large roll in bullet stability as well.

Steve

 

[Snyper708]

has been watching some videos

Just nod, smile, and load the ammo the correct way.
He'll eventually catch on. (or not)

 

[BallisticsGuy]

Tell him to stop trying to run before he can walk, stop worrying about things that don't matter & focus on getting a load that shoots small groups and makes small SD's before he irritates you. Then he can have the precision rifle equivalent of the 9mm vs. 45acp debate to his little heart's content, with himself, in the mirror. This is more or less what my coach does to me when I got into the weeds on the minutiae.

 

[desertcj]

No need to put the guy down without knowing exactly what he means. Because if he simply wants to use a bullet with the highest BC that will also stabilize in his rifle....that is perfectly logical! Why would anybody dismiss that? He is in fact looking for "Accurate, long range ammunition"....

 

[Greyfox]

My reaction, having been in similar circumstances....

"Give a man a fish(handload), and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish(handload), and you will feed him for a lifetime"
-proverb of unknown origin(edited)

 

[FEENIX]

My reaction, having been in similar circumstances....

"Give a man a fish(handload), and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish(handload), and you will feed him for a lifetime"
-proverb of unknown origin(edited)

Yep! I always start them on brass prep and often that's the last time I see them.

 

[just country]

morning, listen to long time members of this site. get on the internet,
look up books for beginner handloader instructional manuals.
read, read, read and read more. then u will determine whether
u want to handload. the hobby is expensive, time consuming,
can b frustrating. once u determine ur action. get a book on
equipment used for handloading. a good sable work bench is a
plus. lighting, storage of powder, primers, casing is a must.
number 1 is safety.
for example, I have 79 boxes of bullets. 46 dies-die sets.
4000 small, large rifle and magnum primers. calibers 220swift
223AI, 243Ai, 6mmAI, 250 savage, 257 wbee, .308, 7mmwbee, 300Win. Mag, 340Wbee.
use the search mode on this site. do not b afraid to ask members
of this site questions. if u make a decision. have fun. fun leads
to success, success leads to good marksmanship.u will become
very gratified-one of an elite group.
GBOT TUM