Re: What external ballistics topics would you like to see explored
I'm taking suggestions for research topics that we can explore and publish. Primarily the intent is to identify some content for the next volume of the 'Modern Advancements in Long Range Shooting' series. Any suggestions can be considered even beyond the scope of that series though.
Here's some content that's planned for the next volume, to give you an idea of what we're doing:
Exploring dispersion: 1 MOA groups at 100 yards and 1/2 MOA groups at 200...?
Rimfire ballistics: MV and BC test results for many common rimfire types out of various length and twist barrels
Pointing and trimming bullets: Effects on uniformity and magnitude of BC
...
If you have an idea for a test that you'd always like to see done, please reply to this thread with ideas. We always try to do relevant work meaning topics shooters are most interested in, no better way to do that than taking input directly from the shooters.
Thanks!
-Bryan
Bryan,
I have enjoyed your books, and appreciate your efforts in improving the long range shooting community.
At this point i believe you have done such a good job on the major external ballistics factors that you are reaching a point if dimishing returns there. Frankly, we need the same sort of effort concerning internal ballistics.
I would like to see someone pick up where Harold Vaughan left off, and to update, further explore, and expand upon the internal ballistics factors in his book, but in a way that provides good guidance for the shooter, as you have done with external ballistics.
For instance, an indepth study comparing and contrasting the various factors affecting extreme velocity spreads and how to minimize them. Shooters are using an experimental process, basically try and see (just like we used to do with external ballistcs) to develop loads when a better understanding of the variables could lead to a smarter, more systematic approach.
What is the best way to throat a barrel, what lead angle, what neck design? Where is the data on what affects neck tension, how much we want, and why? Is the answer to that powder specific? What causes a rifle to like one load over another? What does changing the seating depth do, and how can that be used? How do various primer makes affect a cartridge, all other things equal? What is the relative importance of each of these factors among others such as neck turnng, primer pocket uniforming, annealing, etc.
We desperately need a volume that consolidates and validates the "conventional" wisdom on these topics, using a data driven approach to separate what we think we know from the truth. Is the optimum barrel time theory correct? Is the ocw method the best, or ladders, or something else? What about bullet coatings, moly vs TI vs HbN? Barrel profiles and lengths? Case neck treatments? Suppressors? How much do various things affect pressure? How to better read brass or other signs for pressure, etc ec.
Many, if not the fact majority, of serious long range shooters load their own ammo in an attempt to control these variables and more, and we have little understanding of their relative importance and their interactions. Unless you can figure out a way to measure wind velocity components accurately using a laser or somethng, I think you have covered external ballistics to the point that much that remains is certainly in the "noise" of the inherent dispersion of the average load long range shooters are using. Help us shrink dispersion and extreme spreads without using up a significant amount if barrel life poking around at this problem!
Thanks,
Matt
P.S. Warning, shameless arm twisting follows: have you seen what kind of money copies of "Rifle accuracy facts" is commanding? People are hungry to understand these machines we call rifles and jow to feed them correctly. Also, Im sure Berger hopes we stay interested in this topic!!
