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Posted: 12/10/2015 3:23:09 PM EDT
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Long story short, I've been pondering over what my next rifle will be and I'm ready to purchase one to use as a hunting rifle. My issue is that I can't make a decision on what caliber I want it in. This led me to think if someone has made some sort of ballistic chart of some sort with a maximum effective range of each caliber and the specified game that was being hunted.
For example, 6.5 Grendel using 123gr SST on deer would be a maximum safe distance of 800yards. 6.5 Grendel using 123gr SST on yotes would be a maximum safe distance of 1100yards. Doing this for all the main players in the AR15 and AR10 platform and including all the favorite game and predator we all like to hunt. I think it might help guys like me that isn't super educated in all the calibers out there for the AR platform. I apologize in advance if I'm in the wrong forum. If something like this does exist, I haven't found it. Thoughts? |
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I don't believe you'll find such a ready-made chart as, if I understand what you're asking, preparing such a chart would require an enormous compilation of ballistic data from an enormous number of loads and MV.
So, why not bake your own? But first you'd probably want to narrow down the number of loads you'd consider somewhat. I can't advise on the criteria you might use to do so, but you have an interesting idea to start from the animal being targeted, the most likely terrain in which to find the animal and the most likely atmospherics to be found in that terrain during hunting season, if any. The best I can suggest you do is to come up with $35 and buy a copy of the Sierra Infinity Exterior Ballistics Software ,version 7 (and do also install the free upgrade). It has the most comprehensive compilation of ballistic coefficients for the most comprehensive list of bullets I've seen. That would save you a lot of time trying to find those BCs. The Infinity software is quite capable at producing ballistic charts and is also capable of MPBR calculations for any load as long as you know the MV and height of the LOS over the bore. I allows input of atmospherics too if you want to go that far. It's the MVs that are going to be hard to come by. I too was interested in MVs for 5.56 and .223 at one time and posted here: Thread on Muzzle Velocities which led to another AR15.com thread here: Muzzle Velocities for 5.56 and .223 and by bfoosh06. One has to marvel and express gratitude to bfoosh06 for all the work he has done on MVs for various loads. A real trooper that fellow. I don't know of similar data for other calibers. And, bfoosh06 rightfully expresses awe at the amount of work that must go into doing the same for various calibers...probably as much as would go into a Master's Thesis or a Ph.D. Dissertation. I did take bfoosh06's data and clean it up a bit from what he posted here (admittedly the AR15.com posting format doesn't allow for pretty tables). And, I have it in an Excel spreadsheet. If you would like to have a copy of that spreadsheet just PM me with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you via e-mail file attachment. But remember, it's bfoosh06's data. He's the source. I just did a technical job of cleaning it up for presentation's sake. And, it's just for 5.56 and .223. Best, LF |
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Longfisher...
I was wondering how many views this topic would get before I'd get some sort of response. Congrats, you're the first. You win the prize. Seriously, thanks for your input and I'll definitely be sending you a PM for the beautified presentation. I'm not really looking for every caliber and every load that goes with that caliber. I think from what I read a lot that people who aren't as educated on all things have a hard time taking that next step when it comes to trying to get that next weapon. I believe if we covered just the caliber itself using the most common or an average load then it might not be as comprehensive. Starting with the classic 5.56 and working our way up to the AR10 300 WinMAg. I believe some sort of small table would help a lot of us make the right decision when moving on to the next weapon. Maybe if I start a bunch of polls this table could be built based on the members and their input. It doesn't have to be technically precise. With a .308, the max distance you would shoot at a whitetail might be different than what someone else might take. We could break it down into medium class game, large and predators. Use the calibers .223/5.56, 300BLK, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, .50 Beuwolf in the AR15 Platform .308/7.62, 6.5 Creedmore, 300 Winmag and .338 Lupua in the AR10 Platform Members could access this collaboration of info from several different experienced members in one spot. Am I on to something here or is this a lost cause? |
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