Velocity Calculator

Ol'timer

Ol'timer

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I'm new to reloading and am wondering if there is a calculation chart that will show bullet drop and velocity (fps) out to 300 yds in 50 yd increments. I will have known numbers:
> case type
> bullet weight (grains)
> bullet diameter (calibre)
> powder charge (grains)
> muzzle velocity (chronograph)
What I am trying to do is get the lowest recoil load that will still adequately do the job I'm wanting it to do. To start with it will be a 308 with a 100 grain bullet that will still be good out to 300 yds on a deer. I can vary the bullet weight and powder charge to get the lightest recoil possible and I can measure the muzzle velocity but I need to know velocity (ft/lbs of energy) at varying points of impact. If you can help please get in touch. Thanks....Jim
 
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Since what you are trying "to do is get the lowest recoil load" - if you go here: http://kwk.us/recoil.html, you will find a calculator for recoil - scroll down the page a bit to see discussion regarding John Barsness Recoil Index. The calculator lets you select a cartridge and "fills in the blanks" which then let you alter values to see what calculated changes result. Note that this is about recoil, not terminal ballistics.
 
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Vortex also has a nice ballistics calculator: http://apps.vortexoptics.com/lrbc/.

After running it through the calculator, I'd suggest confirming the values by shooting in conditions similar to your hunting conditions. There can be a noticeable difference between the calculator value (theoretical) and what you shoot (practical), especially as the range increases.
 
I would go a little heavier on the projectile, most .30 bullets in the 100gr range are varmint bullets that won't penetrate very well on big game. You don't want a bullet that explodes on impact like a thin jacketed varmint bullet does.

I use the Strelok ballistics calculator for my android phone, it can make a chart like what you are looking for and it can be exported so you can print it off. Most ballistics calculators are only good for ballpark numbers, they're pretty close but never dead on because there are just too many variables to consider. Strelok has a field where you can enter the actual drop you see at a given distance and it will adjust the velocities to be more accurate. For instance if it says 8 moa correction for 300 yards and you actually have to dial in 9 it will adjust your numbers through the whole range to make it more accurate for your rifle and conditions.
If you have an iPhone I used to use iSnipe if I recall correctly.


Just curious, is this project for getting your wife or one of the kids into hunting? If so I would try to keep the shots under 200 yards, an inexperienced shooter shouldn't be shooting at big game at any kind of distance in the field. It's one thing to shoot 300 yards at the range off a table but an entirely different thing when it's an animal your shooting at without a rest and estimating distance. Just my opinion though, you're free to do what you want and maybe I'm guessing wrong on the purpose and maybe you have a shoulder injury and just want to keep hunting without aggravating the injury.
For what you are asking I would suggest switching to something like a .243, easier to find appropriate projectiles, flatter trajectory, and still easy on the shoulder.

Good luck
 
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I had done this exact same type of reloading for my wife's 7mm-08. I would consider a heavier bullet with a higher BC this will get you more hitting power at 300 yards with less muzzle blast. I'm not talking 180gr or anything, but maybe a 150 sst or something similar.
 
Ol'timerng

Not to change the subject but a soft rubber recoil pad and sitting more upright at the shooting bench will reduce your felt recoil. My Winchester 94 30-30 Trapper model with a 16 inch barrel with its hard butt plate kicks harder than my .308 Savage Hog Hunter with its thick and spongy rubber recoil pad.

I ruptured a disk in my neck in 1992 and even after neck surgery my neck is sensitive to recoil. One or two shots at game when hunting are never a problem, but shooting at the range in the wrong position can be bothersome.

Someone will need to add to this when shooting a rifle but competitive pistol shooters talk about "soft" loads using fast burning powders and heavy bullets. So if any of you have experimented with loading faster burning powders please speak up.
 
bigedp51 said:
Ol'timerng

Not to change the subject but a soft rubber recoil pad and sitting more upright at the shooting bench will reduce your felt recoil. My Winchester 94 30-30 Trapper model with a 16 inch barrel with its hard butt plate kicks harder than my .308 Savage Hog Hunter with its thick and spongy rubber recoil pad.

I ruptured a disk in my neck in 1992 and even after neck surgery my neck is sensitive to recoil. One or two shots at game when hunting are never a problem, but shooting at the range in the wrong position can be bothersome.

Someone will need to add to this when shooting a rifle but competitive pistol shooters talk about "soft" loads using fast burning powders and heavy bullets. So if any of you have experimented with loading faster burning powders please speak up.
Click to expand...

There is some load data out there for using faster powders like Trailboss and a slightly heavier bullets for subsonic loads but those wouldn't be very good for over 100 yards.
 
cr5 said:
There is some load data out there for using faster powders like Trailboss and a slightly heavier bullets for subsonic loads but those wouldn't be very good for over 100 yards.
Click to expand...

Hodgson's has a recipe for reduced loads using H4895. I have used it in three different cartiges. It has worked well for me.

Scroll down to find the reduced loads.

https://www.hodgdon.com/resources/data-sheets/
 
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cr5 said:
There is some load data out there for using faster powders like Trailboss and a slightly heavier bullets for subsonic loads but those wouldn't be very good for over 100 yards.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of .308 loads in the burn rate of 3031 might change the recoil "feel" or felt recoil. My first loads in my Hog Hunter were 168 grain bullets and VARGETThe OP did not specify if he was loading for himself or grandchildren so I was thinking a faster powder and lighter bullets.

I fire form my .303 British cases with 100 grain pistol bullets and SR4759 or Trail Boss and these also make good short range lite plinking loads and make the brass butt plate "softer".

HHDfGl9.jpg


The OP did not specify if he was loading for himself or grandchildren or why he was looking at reduced loads and ballistic charts. Meaning a little more info would help in our replies, I'm also looking for light .308 loads for long shooting sessions at the range. My M1 Grand is softer shooting than my Hog Hunter and more enjoyable when shooting 50 to 100 rounds.
 
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Sierra Infinity Suite 6 which will have ballistic Coefficient for a number of different manufacturers but there are certain known's required . . . primarily velocity but altitude, temperature, sight height, and humidity.
 
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