In Long Range Shooting: Ballistics Terms Part 1, we talked about some general ballistics terminology. But, that's only part of what we'll need to talk ballistics. Most of what we'll need to understand about ballistics for long range shooting falls under external ballistics. Here are some of the most common, and important, terms we'll use. Muzzle: the projectile exit end … [Read more...]
We started off this long range shooting series with an introduction to some important terminology. Now we're ready to apply those terms. Let's start with an introduction on a key external ballistics concept that directly relates to long range shooting: bullet trajectory. From the moment it leaves the muzzle, a bullet starts to follow a descending parabolic trajectory. Which … [Read more...]
As you likely already know, bullets spin during flight, due to the rifling of the barrel. But, you may have asked yourself: why do they need to spin? The answer has something to do with bullet shape. In this article, I'll show you the reason behind bullet spin with regard to bullet shape. Understanding this concept is useful to understand other bullet flight behavior that … [Read more...]
In previous long range shooting articles, I've talked about the effect of light and the error derived from shooting uphill/downhill—both aiming and perspective related errors. In this article, however, I'll talk about another aiming-related error: shooting with the rifle not perpendicular to the ground. When shooting with a canted rifle, the round won't land where you are … [Read more...]
So you want to learn how to shoot long range? The first thing you'll need is to learn ballistics. Here is why: When you are aiming with your iron sights or with your scope’s reticle, you are actually aiming at a specific point where you know the bullet will be during its flight at your target distance in the specific environmental conditions in which you are shooting. If the … [Read more...]
In External Ballistics - Elevation Part 1, I introduced the concept of error derived from shooting at an angle, and gave you a few practical examples. In this article we will examine the real reason for point of impact shift. In many texts around the web, you'll find one common incorrect explanation of this phenomenon: a simplistic approach derived from the formula used to … [Read more...]
