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Estimate a Ballistic Coefficient from a Trajectory

 

Providing that careful, precise measurements  are made of muzzle velocity, range distance and target group centers, calculating values from a trajectory is an excellent  method of acquiring a useful, reliable ballistic coefficient. The rifle needs to be relatively accurate  and capable of producing repeatable group sizes. The group centers should be calculated using values that are measured with accuracy to within at least  0.01" from the aiming points. If sight adjustments are needed to keep the groups on target, the difference in the sight adjustments must be measured to within 0.001" .  

 

If sight adjustment is needed, the distance in inches from the front sight to the rear sight is entered. The height of the front sight needs to ge entered. If a telescope sight is used,  targets large enough to  keep the groups on paper should be used as telescope sights are not noted as having predictable, repeatable adjustment increments. Although if need be,  scope adjustments  may be translated into mechanical sight adjustments  as described below.

 

In order that an accurate muzzle velocity may be determined, a chronograph should be used to record the average velocity through the screens .The distance from the firearm muzzle to the center of the chronograph screens should be carefully measured. 

 

If it is observed that one sight setting can be used and still maintain both of the target groups on a target face, the rear sight height need not be measured and recorded. Otherwise determine a method to record the rear sight height to 0.001" .

 

First, determine the longest range that can be fired and still maintain reasonable accuracy then carefully measure the distance in yards from the muzzle to the most distant target.  It need not be and even number of yards,  just an accurate measurement. Record that distance as the "Far Target" range.

 

Next, choose a range somewhere between 1/3 and 2/3 the distance to the Far Target. Carefully measure this distance from the muzzle to the target and record the range as the "Near Target" range.

 

Then, set up a chronograph  and measure the distance from the center of the screens to the muzzle in feet.

 

Now,  fire as many shots as needed (at least 10) to produce as good group on the near target as possible. (the group center need not be precisely on the point of aim) Shoot through the chronograph and record the velocities. Throw out any fliers (both velocity and shot coordinates on the target) as they contribute nothing to a calculation of the ballistic coefficient.

 

Finally,  If the rear sight needs to be elevated to get the group on the Far Target, make the adjustment and record the sight movement to 0.001"  then proceed to fire enough shots to produce a good group on the Far Target, again throwing out any fliers, and recording the velocities and group center of the shots.

 

If a telescope sight is in use and needs to be adjusted to keep the group on  the far target,  then multiply the number of clicks by the amount of movement produced at 100 yards per click, then divide that product by 100. Enter the resulting value in the Far target sight adjustment window, enter a value of "36" in the Sight Radius  window, ensure that the 'Scope Height value is correctly entered and then proceed as if a mechanical sight was used.

 

Retrieve the targets and carefully measure the distance of each shot above or below a horizontal line drawn through the aim point, add the values (add values above the line and subtract values below the line) and divide by the number of shots scored. This will calculate the average distance of the group center above or below the aim point.  Make these measurements to within  0.01", or better yet, to 0.001".

 

Now there are enough values to go to the software and calculate a ballistic coefficient.

 

The images below will show the values of an actual test of a 426 grain, 40 cal, Bore Ride, Round Nose Bullet cast from an NEI mold.

 

Near Target = 100 yards,  Far Target = 300 yards

Near group center  averaged 2.708" above the aim point.

Near vernier sight cup was  1.7675" above the tang

Far group center =  -0.641" below the aim point

Far sight setting was 2.054" above the tang

The Pedersoli Sharps has a sight radius of 36" and a front sight height of  0.90"

Average Chronograph readings for all shots on both targets was 1132 f.p.s..

Distance to chronograph screens was 12 feet.

 

 

The muzzle velocity is calculated at 1135.9 f.p.s.

The ballistic coefficient is calculated at 0.3957

 

Finally, click button 6 to open the data entry sheet then enter the atmospheric and elevation values of your range into the adjustment calculator. Return to the "BC from a Trajectory" page and click button #7 to calculate the Stantard Sea Level BC for the bullet. Enter this value as the Tested and Working BC for your bullet.

 

 

 

The local atmospheric conditions were factored  and the Adjusted Sea Level Ballistics Coefficient value for the N.E.I. bullet is 0.3914

 

 

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