a morning at the range

john boy · March 27, 2012, 09:01:08 PM

QuoteMy hat's off to those who can hold and read the wind out to 1000 yds!

PJ, don't forget to be able to read mirage also. It's great hitting the 10 ring at 1000yds with a steady wind and mirage. Center hits can make a warm feeling running down ones leg!

But when both are switching, it's either total frustration or total elation!

Also, let's say all is going fine and then cloud cover moves in and your POI's go in the toilet. Another frustrating factor shooting long range at 600 to 1000yds with large calibers. Shooting 38 & 32 calibers, I've had my score go to pot with a change from sun to clouds even at 200 yds

PJ Hardtack · March 27, 2012, 09:17:46 PM

JB

I haven't shot at 900 yds since leaving the Army. I well remember 'mirage' as a problem along with wind doping.

In a 50-100-150-200 yd postal shoot with other '63 Sharps shooters, I had the problem of changing light conditions when shooting - bright then cloudy. Went on all day. Definitely had an effect on the sight picture.

BTW - we were all surprised by the accuracy we got from our '63s. Not as good as with a brass cartridge rifle, but certainly adequate for paper cartridge technology. You don't want anyone shooting at you with a '63 from 200 yards!

wildman1 · March 28, 2012, 07:52:15 AM

A chronograph is a tool, like a powder measure. I used the chrono after I tried the loads in my BC, to help me figure out what caused the funny lookin holes in the target. It was my first time loading and shootin the BC. By the way, those loads were not max for that rifle according to the loading manual. WM

Wagon Box Willy · March 30, 2012, 02:06:38 PM

Thanks all for the interesting replies, I've been away on a biz trip and didn't have much time to log on.

Willy

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · March 30, 2012, 02:45:31 PM

Quote from: wildman1 on March 28, 2012, 07:52:15 AM
A chronograph is a tool, like a powder measure. I used the chrono after I tried the loads in my BC, to help me figure out what caused the funny lookin holes in the target. It was my first time loading and shootin the BC. By the way, those loads were not max for that rifle according to the loading manual. WM

I wouldn't take the first experience with anything new "to the bank"! There is a very steep learning curve when you start working on a new gun, or anything else new. Sometimes, if things don't work out the reason may not be apparent. Try again, cautiously, sometimes things seem to get better for any unknown reason. If the same thing happens, then it is time to investigate. I say this as tumbling bullets don't happen if rotated fast enough. Over rotating may cause a bit more precession (like when a childs top wobbles) but not tumbling. One thing that occurs to me is an unseen void in the bullet putting it off balance?

P.S; Wildman; Reading your post again, it occurs to me that the MV of those rounds may not have been fast enough to stabilize the bullet you were using. See P.J.s post below

PJ Hardtack · March 31, 2012, 10:22:12 AM

When I ordered my Shiloh 50-70 carbine, I discussed ROT with Kirk Bryan. He asked me what I intended to do with the carbine and I said hunting and fun CAS-type shooting.
My 50-70 Military Rifle has 1x36" ROT and it won't stabilize 540 gr bullets, tumbling them at 50 yds. He recommended the current ROT - 1x26". I asked if that would over-stabilize 375 gr bullets and he said - "No." He wasn't sure that one could 'over-stabilize' a bullet.

The carbine shoots well with 375 gr, 450 gr and 540 gr bullets, BUT - it didn't take me long to learn that I won't be shooting many 540 gr bullets out of the carbine! Just a tad more recoil awareness than I'm comfortable with .....

wildman1 · April 01, 2012, 07:37:53 AM

Sir Charles, I am not sure what caused the bullet to go thru the target sideways, I do know that when I dropped the velocity a couple hundred fps it certainly took care of the problem. It wasn't one or two shots that was errant it was about 80% out of twenty rounds loaded. WM

AlaskaJack · April 08, 2012, 09:57:56 PM

Give this a try. I've found it to be really good

http://www.handloads.com/calc/

wildman1 · April 09, 2012, 07:49:01 AM

AJ, thanks. I been usin that fer quite some time now, as a matter of fact that is what I used to figure out that my vel. was probably to high for that twist, bullet etc. WM

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · April 09, 2012, 09:23:50 AM

Here is an online tool applying the GREENHILL formula. This is the classic calculation for twist and bullet length, but it may not be that good for spitzers. But who casts spitzers anyay

http://kwk.us/twist.html

sharps4065 · April 09, 2012, 12:29:25 PM

Quote from: wildman1 on April 01, 2012, 07:37:53 AM
Sir Charles, I am not sure what caused the bullet to go thru the target sideways, I do know that when I dropped the velocity a couple hundred fps it certainly took care of the problem. It wasn't one or two shots that was errant it was about 80% out of twenty rounds loaded. WM

That sounds very much like the bullet is skipping the rifling so is totally unstable. Dropping the charge, thus the velocity, is one way around out it. The other is to increase the hardness of the bullet, especially if you have a fast twist in the rifle. I currently cast at 16:1 for my 40, 45 and 50 cal rifles for stability at higher mv's which are a must for long range. I believe original Sharp's bullets were cast at that mix too. Harder than 16:1 you start getting into the realms of diminishing returns.

Hold centre (and read the wind)
Clive

HogDoc Olliday · April 09, 2012, 04:27:51 PM

Quote from: WaddWatsonEllis on March 24, 2012, 09:07:13 AM
Willy,

I sympathize with your day ...

But here is another spin on it ... The Big Guy put bad days in our lives so that there was a way of marking a really good day ... otherwise our lives would be like the color beige ... not much personality at all ..

I'm just sayin',

TTFN,

Good philosophy of life! Keeps us good and balanced.