Zeroing & Flight Path

T

Target Popper

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Thought I had reasoned this shooting skill out! The <12 pellet flight path is as stable as the present day petrol prices! Relating this to the zero points of the sighting system requires an understanding of the trajectory your pellet takes, however the consistency of the pellet specifications and its anticipated trajectory are unknowns so we are perpetually resetting our sighting system to the different makes and their quality control. Consider the general teaching of the flight path which is shown as a rising, levelling and then falling curve, then if your sighting system is considered a straight line and generally a moa to bring the sighting and barrel axis into two crossing points on the flight curve which will individually have a range distance dependant on the sighting mounting off the barrel. This all adds up to a dependency on flight consistency, change that and the zero point goes out the window. Pellet makers more information please.
 
Well when you put it like that.......
Any of the ballistic apps, Chairgun, Mero etc will allow you to enter all of the data pertinent to your rifle and pellet choice and will produce a pretty accurate map of the trajectory.
You can then experiment with the settings to find something that works for you.
The pellet manufacturers provide weight and ballistic coefficient data for their pellets so I don't know what else you need. Much more than that will depend upon the velocity at which they are fired, which they can't know.
 
Using a ballistics APP, simply as it saves time.
There are a number of variables, but I take a very simple approach with .177

Decide how far above the line of sight, I am prepared to have it travel, before the second zero point Parameter (Apex).
Record the pellet velocity, put in the pellet details, scope height, then try different second zero distances, until (A) is close, but no higher that my choice.
That's about it.
The parameters, my requirement, fiddle a bit.
It normally results in a second zero of about 33-35 yards, and a range where the pellet is -1 at around 11 yards, +1 at 24, and zero 35.
For me, mainly shooting vermin, that is as simple as it gets, and easy to visualise in the field.
 
Personally I don't use an app. I set targets in 5y steps from 10 to 40 yards and learn to estimate distance or get a range finder if you need to. It's then a case of remembering your hold under/over, a half mil dot ret helps. I don't shoot target or comps it's all field work so the less movement the better
 
Scubashot said:
Well when you put it like that.......
Any of the ballistic apps, Chairgun, Mero etc will allow you to enter all of the data pertinent to your rifle and pellet choice and will produce a pretty accurate map of the trajectory.
You can then experiment with the settings to find something that works for you.
The pellet manufacturers provide weight and ballistic coefficient data for their pellets so I don't know what else you need. Much more than that will depend upon the velocity at which they are fired, which they can't know.
Click to expand...
Pellet Specifications:
Ideally the fps is mentioned as 850 fps, however the <12 power comes into question so we operate well below that optimum speed.
Therefore the flight path changes. The pellet makers as far as I know do not give details about this?
Pellet weight is declared as a nominal figure, would the weight spread also be usfull to know?
BC calculations, from my understanding the calculation is based on models with exact figures entered, good guidance is the result.
This kind of information can easily be posted on a product websites now-a-days.
 
H&N list the appropriate joules rating for their different pellets.
The BC will change with the velocity of the pellet so if you are that concerned you could always set up two chronos, one at the muzzle and the other at a measured distance. You can then calculate the BC for that pellet in that gun in those atmospheric conditions.
The pellet weight varies along with head size because of manufacturing tolerances. They provide their target figures and many will produce hand selected, premium pellets for specialist disciplines - Bench Rest, etc where millimetres matter. However, there is usually an extra cost for this and most users are happy with the compromise of cost and accuracy, or they would use a different manufacturer
The trajectory (flight path) will be dependent upon the velocity, pellet weight and BC which will be different from gun to gun. They therefore just provide some guide figures which is adequate for most shooters.
In the final analysis most inconsistencies are down to the shooter input not the pellet.
 
Target Popper said:
Thought I had reasoned this shooting skill out! The <12 pellet flight path is as stable as the present day petrol prices! Relating this to the zero points of the sighting system requires an understanding of the trajectory your pellet takes, however the consistency of the pellet specifications and its anticipated trajectory are unknowns so we are perpetually resetting our sighting system to the different makes and their quality control. Consider the general teaching of the flight path which is shown as a rising, levelling and then falling curve, then if your sighting system is considered a straight line and generally a moa to bring the sighting and barrel axis into two crossing points on the flight curve which will individually have a range distance dependant on the sighting mounting off the barrel. This all adds up to a dependency on flight consistency, change that and the zero point goes out the window. Pellet makers more information please.
Click to expand...
Are you an AI chat bot? :LOL::ROFLMAO::LOL:

The answer you are looking for is...... pellet testing..... lots of pellet testing.
Yes, if you constantly change pellets, or shoot in different environmental conditions, or constantly change your shooting set-up, then the POI will change.
Plus, as advised above, any decent ballistic app will work out the trajectory for you, assuming you have entered the data correctly?
 
pjgtech said:
Are you an AI chat bot? :LOL::ROFLMAO::LOL:

The answer you are looking for is...... pellet testing..... lots of pellet testing.
Yes, if you constantly change pellets, or shoot in different environmental conditions, or constantly change your shooting set-up, then the POI will change.
Plus, as advised above, any decent ballistic app will work out the trajectory for you, assuming you have entered the data correctly?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, I was focused on the fiddling about with the rifle sighting to be as accurate as possible, I have no experience of BC calculators or in-depth knowledge of pellet design so my views are based like most of us on reason and shooting practice. From the feedback there is more in-depth information about pellet specifications on some makes websites, to be looked at. No AI chat box here, I'll leave that subject for another thread!
 
Manthing said:
Personally I don't use an app. I set targets in 5y steps from 10 to 40 yards and learn to estimate distance or get a range finder if you need to. It's then a case of remembering your hold under/over, a half mil dot ret helps. I don't shoot target or comps it's all field work so the less movement the better
Click to expand...
(y)
 
Target Popper said:
Thanks for the reply, I was focused on the fiddling about with the rifle sighting to be as accurate as possible, I have no experience of BC calculators or in-depth knowledge of pellet design so my views are based like most of us on reason and shooting practice. From the feedback there is more in-depth information about pellet specifications on some makes websites, to be looked at. No AI chat box here, I'll leave that subject for another thread!
Click to expand...
Download the Chairgun app. With accurate inputs re: chronoed pellet velocity ( 20 shot avg.)/ avg.pellet weight ( weigh 100 pellets)/ accurate scope height & your world just got a whole lot simpler.👍
 
Target Popper said:
Thought I had reasoned this shooting skill out! The <12 pellet flight path is as stable as the present day petrol prices! Relating this to the zero points of the sighting system requires an understanding of the trajectory your pellet takes, however the consistency of the pellet specifications and its anticipated trajectory are unknowns so we are perpetually resetting our sighting system to the different makes and their quality control. Consider the general teaching of the flight path which is shown as a rising, levelling and then falling curve, then if your sighting system is considered a straight line and generally a moa to bring the sighting and barrel axis into two crossing points on the flight curve which will individually have a range distance dependant on the sighting mounting off the barrel. This all adds up to a dependency on flight consistency, change that and the zero point goes out the window. Pellet makers more information please.
Click to expand...
As soon as the pellet exits the muzzle it starts to fall due to the effect of gravity. The distance fallen depends only on time of flight. Of course the attitude of the barrel has an effect, if it is pointed upwards, above horizontal, the pellet will start to travel in an upwards direction but it is still falling due to gravity. Any of the ballistic apps will calculate this for you and show the differences between pellets, zero distance and muzzle velocity. It need not be complicated and a bit of insight before you start shooting will help considerably.
 
Target Popper said:
New brand of ammunition about to be launched from Wolfiek claiming in-depth user support.
Click to expand...
I saw that yesterday what I don't understand is
1) is that just for the brands of guns they sell
2) is it their own ammo as well as others
3) is it just FAC or sub 12

The post doesn't make it clear exactly what it will be.
 
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