Ballistic Coefficient - doesn't matter for hunting
- Thread starter todbartell
- Start date
dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
My first hunting years I used my 8mm Mauser with 170Gr Round Nose Hornady Interlocks at a whopping 2200fps. It only has a B.C. of .217, never had an issue shooting game if I did my part to 250 Yards with iron sights. It was only later when I bought a chrony that I got informed about my fps. At the moment, on one of my 8mm I am using a discontinued Norma plastic tip round nose. 196gr at 2550fps and haven't had any issues reaching out to 400yards. I also started playing with Woodleighs 250 gr but that one has a BC of .400+, I plan on working up a load to 2300fps. Something about RN bullets that fascinate me.
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todbartell :
28 Nosler, loaded with the 154gr Hornady Interlock RNSP
Shoots MOA or less, so far at only 3113 fps but I'm just getting warmed up !
Thats a LOT of cartridge for you tod - Burns up 85-90 grs of powder too !
RJ
28 Nosler, loaded with the 154gr Hornady Interlock RNSP
Shoots MOA or less, so far at only 3113 fps but I'm just getting warmed up !
Thats a LOT of cartridge for you tod - Burns up 85-90 grs of powder too !
RJ
Close up BC hardly matters at all. Stretch it out a little and it matters a little. Stretch it out a lot and compare the lamest with the best and the differences are spectacular. Compare that 154 gr round nose to my 195 Berger load starting at 3080 and it's like a different world. Compare the big Berger to a 168 gr ABLR at 3300 and its not so cut and dried.
Thats a LOT of cartridge for you tod - Burns up 85-90 grs of powder too !
I keep it simple like Ardent - H4895 in everything!
Pffffffft ........ 28 Nosler needs a belt to go with those juicy little RNs.
Thinking back, I just realized that every head of game I've ever shot could have been done with a RN. I'm down to 175s in my 275Rigby and 180s in my 308 Carbine.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
At ranges long enough that MOA accuracy matters when shooting at big game, so too does a higher BC become beneficial. BC doesn't matter from the viewpoint that vertical trajectory is predictable, under similar conditions is repeatable, and is easily compensated for by a few clicks on the elevation turret, or by holding a touch high or low. But attempting to compensate for gusty winds is another matter entirely; a high BC bullet that is less prone to wind drift is arguably superior to one that mimics a leaf. In windy conditions the advantage of high BC is observable and is easily proven. Then consider a situation where wind becomes a component of drop, such as a high wind blowing down the side of a mountain; if there was any shot at all, I wouldn't be looking for a round nose bullet to use in that scenario. The idea that high muzzle velocity can makes up for BC might well have validity due the bullet's reduced flight time across typical hunting ranges. That said, it reminds me of the guy who told me that his 7mm Remington Magnum was so fast he didn't have to lead running game; I suppose he was right if the game was running directly away. Likewise, to announce that high velocity negates all advantages of a high BC bullet . . . I suppose you might find a scenario where it applies.
BC does not matter when hunting!
What does matter is the target height or height of the kill zone on an animal.
Say it is 12" on a big animal. The bullet will be have to stay within a 12" of vertical from muzzle to target.
Velocity and BC will determine what that distance from the muzzle will be.
In the 28 Nosler with the 154gn RN @ 3200 ft/s, would be ~ 350 yards.
This would be ~ 1000 ft/lbs of energy before it leaves the danger space of 12".
At 2700 ft/s the danger space is reduced 90 yards to 260 yards.
What does matter is the target height or height of the kill zone on an animal.
Say it is 12" on a big animal. The bullet will be have to stay within a 12" of vertical from muzzle to target.
Velocity and BC will determine what that distance from the muzzle will be.
In the 28 Nosler with the 154gn RN @ 3200 ft/s, would be ~ 350 yards.
This would be ~ 1000 ft/lbs of energy before it leaves the danger space of 12".
At 2700 ft/s the danger space is reduced 90 yards to 260 yards.
Yup, says so right on the box.
BC matters a little less for hunting than it did 30 years ago....with range finders and Ballistic turrent optics you can now dial in what you need.
As far as gravity not effecting the 28 Nosler, this may be true as I believe I've read that gravitational pull is directly related to a diminishing proportionate of the square of the bullets measurement from the tip to the base, based on a flat earth scenario!
As far as gravity not effecting the 28 Nosler, this may be true as I believe I've read that gravitational pull is directly related to a diminishing proportionate of the square of the bullets measurement from the tip to the base, based on a flat earth scenario!
And what about the wind?
Vertical is the easy part. The wind is what really matters and is where BC can help.
But we all know that the 28 Nosler is not affected by gravity or wind so you could easily use a wad cutter with similar results....
BC that is high enough therefore reduce the time of flight same goes for velocity. Time of flight will determine the degree of influence the environment has on the bullet.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Gravity is always present, wind isn't.
