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...]
Need to know how to measure distances with your scope’s reticle? In this article I’ll show how to master this valuable long range shooting technique. In the previous article about range estimation, I talked about the importance of measuring the distance between you and your target with the maximum degree of accuracy possible. I’ve listed some of the most used methods for … [Read more...]
Are you getting the most out of your long range precision shooting rifle? In this part of our series, I'll start talking about long range rifles: how to select them, and how to improve their performance. Let's start by discussing inherent accuracy and the main factor that determines it: barrel vibration. Inherent Accuracy The inherent, or intrinsic, accuracy of a rifle is its … [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...]
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...]
Learning how to become a better long range shooter? Here's the next installment in the external ballistics theory mini series: elevation. When I talked about the vertical component of the trajectory, in Bullet Trajectory Part 1, I touched on firing elevation angle. I mentioned that when there is a firing elevation or depression angle, that is, when you're firing with the barrel … [Read more...]
