The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles Bullet Stability & Barrel LengthGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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| One of Us |
Is it correct to say that higher velocity bullets need a longer barrel to stabilize after leaving the barrel? It may be a coincidence, but it seems to me that my short 20" barrelled Rem 700 is more accurate with slower (2400 fps) ammo than the faster (2700+ fps). I've noticed this in reduced recoil loads and loads with heavier (180 gr) but slower bullets. Is this because the faster bullets don't get fully stable after leaving a short barrel? Hunter308 | ||
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| One of Us |
No, probably more a function of the barrel harmonics during the shot. No rules can apply concerning barrel length because the bedding and stock stability can affect the harmonics. When a bullet fires the barrel whips or vibrates and depending where the boundary of the path is when the bullet exits determines the pattern on paper. Provided the headspacing, bedding, crown and stock-stability are correct, you should be able to increase or decrease powder charge to hit a node and produce the smallest group. | |||
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| One of Us |
I believe bullet stability is a matter of twist. And there is a formula to figure it out. One problem that is being run into is bullets with long ogives and long boat tails, to try and boost the bc, do not have enough bullet body in touch with the lands to stabilize them especially at the hyper velocities that seem the rage now. I can't help but believe that the extreme profile of some of the bullets can cause the bullet to yaw within the bore. Perhaps --and this is just a w.a.g.-- this is where some of this "bullet takes a while to go to sleep" stuff comes from. | |||
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| One of Us |
He doesn't mention caliber. Assume .308 based on "heavier bullets" being 180 gr. 1 in 10" or 1 in 12" twist should not be a problem to stabilise these bullets especially at the velocity mentioned. | |||
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One of Us |
Just a personal observation. I am reloading for my son-in-law who is shooting "F" Class. He is using 2 Savage rifles each with 30 inch barrels. One in .308 the other .223. The most accurate groups are not the fastest bullets, rather a slower bullet. As stated above harmonic along with bullet weight, length and barrel twist and other factors, all contribute to the accuracy mix. Rusty We Band of Brothers! DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member "I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends." ----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836 "I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841 "for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.” | |||
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| One of Us |
Nope. | |||
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| One of Us |
I think you just see the smaller groups because of less recoil. | |||
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| One of Us |
What was the fellow shooting that set the record at 1000 yards??? Wasn't it some sort of small cannon? | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles Bullet Stability & Barrel Length
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