Post by "BIGTYME" on Aug 15, 2004 23:57:05 GMT -5
In order to hit a distant target a rifle must be correctly sighted-in, and to accomplish that the shooter must have some working knowledge of the bullet's trajectory. Sighting-in a hunting rifle to hit a certain number of inches high at 100 yards (or 100 meters) maximizes the point blank range of the rifle and cartridge and is superior to zeroing at a fixed distance like 200 yards. This system maximizes the distance in which no "hold over" is necessary. Of course, the actual distance the bullet should hit above the point of aim at 100 yards (or 100 meters, which is about 108 yards) varies with the individual caliber and load.
The table below is designed to serve as a starting point from which a shooter can work. Used as such it can save a lot of trial and error experimentation. Of course, no trajectory table can possibly cover all loads for all calibers in all rifles. So after sighting-in, always check your individual rifle at various ranges to see how close its trajectory comes to the published data. (It may well vary.) This trajectory table can also serve as a comparative tool, allowing the reader to compare the trajectories of different cartridges or loads.
The trajectories in the table below were calculated for a maximum bullet rise of 1.5 inches above the line of sight for all small game and varmint loads, and three inches above the line of sight for all big game loads. In ballistics catalogs the point of maximum bullet rise is often called the mid-range trajectory, or sometimes the maximum ordinate. In the table below I used the term "mid-range trajectory," abbreviated "MRT."
A maximum bullet rise of 1.5 inches is appropriate for shooting small animals, as they present a small target, particularly if head shots are necessary. Allowing a greater mid-range trajectory might result in shooting over an animal at an intermediate distance.
A maximum rise of 3 inches is appropriate for hunting the smaller species of big game, creatures from perhaps 75 pounds to 150 pounds on the hoof, which typically have a kill zone of about 8 inches from top to bottom. More mid-range rise can be accepted when hunting larger animals (a 4 inch MRT might be appropriate when hunting mule deer, for example), but if a mixed bag hunt for larger and smaller species is envisioned, then the 3 inch rise used for this table is probably safer. A 3 inch MRT also allows for a little bit of human error, which is probably a good thing when shooting in the field.
The Maximum Point Blank Range (MPBR), which is shown in the last column of the table below, is the distance at which the bullet falls 3 inches below the line of sight. Thus between the muzzle and the distance given as the MPBR, the bullet never strays more than 3 inches above or below the line of sight (1.5 inches for varmint loads).
Most of the loads below are similar to popular factory loads for the selected cartridges. All trajectories were calculated for a rifle with a low mounted telescopic sight of moderate size whose line of sight is 1.5 inches above the bore axis of the barrel. If your scope is not 1.5 inches over the bore, and most scopes with oversize objectives require higher mounts, your trajectory will vary from those given below. All trajectory figures are rounded off to one decimal place. While environmental factors such as altitude and ambient air temperature affect trajectory, their effect is relatively minor. For the record, this table was calculated for an air temperature of 60 degrees F and an altitude of 1000 feet. The following data was taken from various sources including reloading manuals and the online Ballistics Calculator provided by BigGameInfo.
To save space, the following abbreviations are used in the table below: Wb = Weight of bullet (in grains); MV = Muzzle Velocity (in feet per second); BC = Ballistic Coefficient; MRT = Mid-Range Trajectory; yards = yds.; inches = "; MPBR = Maximum Point Blank Range; BT = Ballistic Tip; FP = Flat Point, HP = Hollow Point; RN = Round Nose; Sp = Spitzer; SP = Spire Point; SSp = Semi-Spitzer.
Cartridge (Wb@MV) Bullet BC 100 yds. 200 yds. MRT@yds. MPBR (yds.)
.204 Ruger (33 BT at 4225) .185 +1.1" +1.0" 1.5"@150 275
.22 LR (40 HP at 1255) .100 -3.0" -40.9" 1.5"@45 90
.22 WMR (40 HP at 1910) .100 +0.6" -18.5" 1.5"@70 124
.222 Rem. (50 Sp at 3140) .220 +1.4" -0.4" 1.5"@118 222
.223 Rem. (45 Sp at 3550) .167 +1.4" +0.2" 1.5"@130 235
.223 Rem. (55 SP at 3240) .235 +1.4" +/- 0" 1.5"@120 230
.22-250 Rem. (55 SP at 3600) .235 +1.3" +0.6" 1.5"@135 254
.220 Swift (55 SP at 3800) .235 +1.2" +0.9" 1.5"@140 264
.223 WSSM (55 SP at 3800) .235 +1.2" +0.9" 1.5"@140 264
.243 Win. (80 Sp at 3350) .255 +1.3" +0.2" 1.5"@125 237
.243 Win. (100 Sp at 2960) .351 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@140 283
6mm Rem. (100 Sp at 3100) .351 +2.5" +2.2" 3"@150 296
.243 WSSM (100 Sp at 3100) .351 +2.5" +2.2" 3"@150 296
6x62mm Freres (100 Sp at 3300) .351 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 312
.240 Wby. Mag. (100 Sp at 3400) .351 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@160 322
.257 Roberts (120 Sp at 2780) .391 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@125 271
.25 WSSM (120 Sp at 2990) .391 +2.5" +2.0" 3"@145 291
.25-06 Rem. (120 Sp at 2990) .391 +2.5" +2.0" 3"@145 291
.257 Wby. Mag. (120 Sp at 3305) .391 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@155 317
6.5x55 (140 Sp at 2645) .435 +2.7" +1.2" 3"@125 260
.260 Rem. (140 Sp at 2750) .435 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@125 271
6.5mm Rem. Mag. (120 Sp at 3210) .433 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 312
6.5x68 S (140 Sp at 2990) .435 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 294
.264 Win. Mag. (140 Sp at 3100) .435 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 303
6.8mm Rem. SPC (115 Sp at 2800) .325 +2.6" +1.3" 3"@130 267
.270 Win. (130 Sp at 3140) .416 +2.5" +2.4" 3"@150 305
.270 Win. (150 Sp at 2900) .481 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@138 287
.270 WSM (150 Sp at 3150) .481 +2.5" +2.4" 3"@150 311
.270 Wby. Mag. (150 Sp at 3245) .481 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@160 320
7x57 (140 BT at 2660) .485 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@125 264
7mm-08 Rem. (140 BT at 2860) .485 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@140 285
.280 Rem. (140 BT at 3000) .485 +2.6" +2.2" 3"@150 298
7mm SAUM (150 Sp at 3110) .456 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 305
7mm WSM (150 Sp at 3200) .456 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 314
7mm Rem. Mag. (150 Sp at 3110) .456 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 305
7mm Wby. Mag. (154 SP at 3260) .433 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 317
7mm Ultra Mag (160 Sp at 3200) .475 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 314
.30 Carbine (110 RN at 1990) .144 +2.8" -8.2" 3"@85 171
.30-30 Win. (150 FP at 2390) .268 +2.9" -0.6" 3"@110 225
.30-30 Win. (170 FP at 2200) .304 +2.9" -1.8" 3"@105 211
.300 Sav. (150 BT at 2630) .435 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 259
.308 Win. (150 BT at 2800) .435 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@135 275
.308 Win. (180 Sp at 2610) .483 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 259
.30-06 (150 BT at 2910) .435 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@145 287
.30-06 (180 Sp at 2700) .483 +2.7" +1.5" 3"@125 269
.300 SAUM (165 Sp at 3075) .410 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@145 300
.300 WSM (180 Sp at 2970) .483 +2.6" +2.2" 3"@150 294
.300 Win. Mag. (180 Sp at 3070) .483 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 303
.300 Wby. Mag. (180 Sp at 3250) .483 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@155 320
.300 Ultra Mag (180 Sp at 3250) .483 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@155 320
7.62x39 (123 Sp at 2365) .292 +2.9" -0.5" 3"@110 225
.303 Br. (150 Sp at 2723) .411 +2.8" +1.5" 3"@130 267
.32 Spec. (170 FP at 2250) .297 +3.0" -1.3" 3"@105 215
8x57JS (200 Sp at 2650) .426 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 260
8x68 S (150 Sp at 3300) .369 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 316
.338-57 O'Connor (200 FP at 2400) .200 +2.9" -0.3" 3"@110 214
.338 Win. Mag. (200 BT at 2960) .414 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 289
.340 Wby. Mag. (250 Sp at 2941) .473 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 291
.338 Ultra Mag (250 Sp at 2860) .473 +2.7" +1.9" 3"@140 285
.357 Mag. (158 FP at 1830) .158 +2.7" -10.5" 3"@85 163
.35 Rem. (200 RN at 2080) .180 +2.9" -5.1" 3"@93 186
.35 Whelen (200 Sp at 2700) .295 +2.8" +1.0" 3"@125 254
.350 Rem. Mag. (200 Sp at 2775) .295 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@125 260
9.3x62 (270 SSp at 2550) .361 +2.8" +0.7" 3"@125 247
.375 H&H Mag. (270 SP at 2690) .380 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@130 260
.375 Ultra Mag (300 SP at 2800) .398 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@125 273
.378 Wby. Mag. (300 Sp at 2935) .398 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@140 285
.416 Rigby (400 RN at 2400) .316 +2.9" -0.1" 3"@115 231
.416 Rem. Mag. (400 RN at 2400) .316 +2.9" -0.1" 3"@115 231
.44 Rem. Mag. (240 FP at 1760) .165 +2.6" -11.6" 3"@75 159
.444 Marlin (240 FP at 2350) .165 +3.0" -2.6" 3"@100 203
.450 Marlin (350 RN at 2100) .189 +3.0" -4.5" 3"@100 189
.45-70 (300 HP at 1800) .197 +2.7" -9.2" 3"@85 166
.45-70 (405 FP at 1330) .214 +1.3" -22.9" 3"@65 131
.458 Win. Mag. (500 RN at 2100) .295 +3.0" -2.9" 3"@100 200
.460 Wby. Mag. (500 RN at 2600) .295 +2.8" +0.6" 3"@116 246
The table below is designed to serve as a starting point from which a shooter can work. Used as such it can save a lot of trial and error experimentation. Of course, no trajectory table can possibly cover all loads for all calibers in all rifles. So after sighting-in, always check your individual rifle at various ranges to see how close its trajectory comes to the published data. (It may well vary.) This trajectory table can also serve as a comparative tool, allowing the reader to compare the trajectories of different cartridges or loads.
The trajectories in the table below were calculated for a maximum bullet rise of 1.5 inches above the line of sight for all small game and varmint loads, and three inches above the line of sight for all big game loads. In ballistics catalogs the point of maximum bullet rise is often called the mid-range trajectory, or sometimes the maximum ordinate. In the table below I used the term "mid-range trajectory," abbreviated "MRT."
A maximum bullet rise of 1.5 inches is appropriate for shooting small animals, as they present a small target, particularly if head shots are necessary. Allowing a greater mid-range trajectory might result in shooting over an animal at an intermediate distance.
A maximum rise of 3 inches is appropriate for hunting the smaller species of big game, creatures from perhaps 75 pounds to 150 pounds on the hoof, which typically have a kill zone of about 8 inches from top to bottom. More mid-range rise can be accepted when hunting larger animals (a 4 inch MRT might be appropriate when hunting mule deer, for example), but if a mixed bag hunt for larger and smaller species is envisioned, then the 3 inch rise used for this table is probably safer. A 3 inch MRT also allows for a little bit of human error, which is probably a good thing when shooting in the field.
The Maximum Point Blank Range (MPBR), which is shown in the last column of the table below, is the distance at which the bullet falls 3 inches below the line of sight. Thus between the muzzle and the distance given as the MPBR, the bullet never strays more than 3 inches above or below the line of sight (1.5 inches for varmint loads).
Most of the loads below are similar to popular factory loads for the selected cartridges. All trajectories were calculated for a rifle with a low mounted telescopic sight of moderate size whose line of sight is 1.5 inches above the bore axis of the barrel. If your scope is not 1.5 inches over the bore, and most scopes with oversize objectives require higher mounts, your trajectory will vary from those given below. All trajectory figures are rounded off to one decimal place. While environmental factors such as altitude and ambient air temperature affect trajectory, their effect is relatively minor. For the record, this table was calculated for an air temperature of 60 degrees F and an altitude of 1000 feet. The following data was taken from various sources including reloading manuals and the online Ballistics Calculator provided by BigGameInfo.
To save space, the following abbreviations are used in the table below: Wb = Weight of bullet (in grains); MV = Muzzle Velocity (in feet per second); BC = Ballistic Coefficient; MRT = Mid-Range Trajectory; yards = yds.; inches = "; MPBR = Maximum Point Blank Range; BT = Ballistic Tip; FP = Flat Point, HP = Hollow Point; RN = Round Nose; Sp = Spitzer; SP = Spire Point; SSp = Semi-Spitzer.
Cartridge (Wb@MV) Bullet BC 100 yds. 200 yds. MRT@yds. MPBR (yds.)
.204 Ruger (33 BT at 4225) .185 +1.1" +1.0" 1.5"@150 275
.22 LR (40 HP at 1255) .100 -3.0" -40.9" 1.5"@45 90
.22 WMR (40 HP at 1910) .100 +0.6" -18.5" 1.5"@70 124
.222 Rem. (50 Sp at 3140) .220 +1.4" -0.4" 1.5"@118 222
.223 Rem. (45 Sp at 3550) .167 +1.4" +0.2" 1.5"@130 235
.223 Rem. (55 SP at 3240) .235 +1.4" +/- 0" 1.5"@120 230
.22-250 Rem. (55 SP at 3600) .235 +1.3" +0.6" 1.5"@135 254
.220 Swift (55 SP at 3800) .235 +1.2" +0.9" 1.5"@140 264
.223 WSSM (55 SP at 3800) .235 +1.2" +0.9" 1.5"@140 264
.243 Win. (80 Sp at 3350) .255 +1.3" +0.2" 1.5"@125 237
.243 Win. (100 Sp at 2960) .351 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@140 283
6mm Rem. (100 Sp at 3100) .351 +2.5" +2.2" 3"@150 296
.243 WSSM (100 Sp at 3100) .351 +2.5" +2.2" 3"@150 296
6x62mm Freres (100 Sp at 3300) .351 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 312
.240 Wby. Mag. (100 Sp at 3400) .351 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@160 322
.257 Roberts (120 Sp at 2780) .391 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@125 271
.25 WSSM (120 Sp at 2990) .391 +2.5" +2.0" 3"@145 291
.25-06 Rem. (120 Sp at 2990) .391 +2.5" +2.0" 3"@145 291
.257 Wby. Mag. (120 Sp at 3305) .391 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@155 317
6.5x55 (140 Sp at 2645) .435 +2.7" +1.2" 3"@125 260
.260 Rem. (140 Sp at 2750) .435 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@125 271
6.5mm Rem. Mag. (120 Sp at 3210) .433 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 312
6.5x68 S (140 Sp at 2990) .435 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 294
.264 Win. Mag. (140 Sp at 3100) .435 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 303
6.8mm Rem. SPC (115 Sp at 2800) .325 +2.6" +1.3" 3"@130 267
.270 Win. (130 Sp at 3140) .416 +2.5" +2.4" 3"@150 305
.270 Win. (150 Sp at 2900) .481 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@138 287
.270 WSM (150 Sp at 3150) .481 +2.5" +2.4" 3"@150 311
.270 Wby. Mag. (150 Sp at 3245) .481 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@160 320
7x57 (140 BT at 2660) .485 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@125 264
7mm-08 Rem. (140 BT at 2860) .485 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@140 285
.280 Rem. (140 BT at 3000) .485 +2.6" +2.2" 3"@150 298
7mm SAUM (150 Sp at 3110) .456 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 305
7mm WSM (150 Sp at 3200) .456 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 314
7mm Rem. Mag. (150 Sp at 3110) .456 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 305
7mm Wby. Mag. (154 SP at 3260) .433 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 317
7mm Ultra Mag (160 Sp at 3200) .475 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 314
.30 Carbine (110 RN at 1990) .144 +2.8" -8.2" 3"@85 171
.30-30 Win. (150 FP at 2390) .268 +2.9" -0.6" 3"@110 225
.30-30 Win. (170 FP at 2200) .304 +2.9" -1.8" 3"@105 211
.300 Sav. (150 BT at 2630) .435 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 259
.308 Win. (150 BT at 2800) .435 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@135 275
.308 Win. (180 Sp at 2610) .483 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 259
.30-06 (150 BT at 2910) .435 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@145 287
.30-06 (180 Sp at 2700) .483 +2.7" +1.5" 3"@125 269
.300 SAUM (165 Sp at 3075) .410 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@145 300
.300 WSM (180 Sp at 2970) .483 +2.6" +2.2" 3"@150 294
.300 Win. Mag. (180 Sp at 3070) .483 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 303
.300 Wby. Mag. (180 Sp at 3250) .483 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@155 320
.300 Ultra Mag (180 Sp at 3250) .483 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@155 320
7.62x39 (123 Sp at 2365) .292 +2.9" -0.5" 3"@110 225
.303 Br. (150 Sp at 2723) .411 +2.8" +1.5" 3"@130 267
.32 Spec. (170 FP at 2250) .297 +3.0" -1.3" 3"@105 215
8x57JS (200 Sp at 2650) .426 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 260
8x68 S (150 Sp at 3300) .369 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 316
.338-57 O'Connor (200 FP at 2400) .200 +2.9" -0.3" 3"@110 214
.338 Win. Mag. (200 BT at 2960) .414 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 289
.340 Wby. Mag. (250 Sp at 2941) .473 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 291
.338 Ultra Mag (250 Sp at 2860) .473 +2.7" +1.9" 3"@140 285
.357 Mag. (158 FP at 1830) .158 +2.7" -10.5" 3"@85 163
.35 Rem. (200 RN at 2080) .180 +2.9" -5.1" 3"@93 186
.35 Whelen (200 Sp at 2700) .295 +2.8" +1.0" 3"@125 254
.350 Rem. Mag. (200 Sp at 2775) .295 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@125 260
9.3x62 (270 SSp at 2550) .361 +2.8" +0.7" 3"@125 247
.375 H&H Mag. (270 SP at 2690) .380 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@130 260
.375 Ultra Mag (300 SP at 2800) .398 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@125 273
.378 Wby. Mag. (300 Sp at 2935) .398 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@140 285
.416 Rigby (400 RN at 2400) .316 +2.9" -0.1" 3"@115 231
.416 Rem. Mag. (400 RN at 2400) .316 +2.9" -0.1" 3"@115 231
.44 Rem. Mag. (240 FP at 1760) .165 +2.6" -11.6" 3"@75 159
.444 Marlin (240 FP at 2350) .165 +3.0" -2.6" 3"@100 203
.450 Marlin (350 RN at 2100) .189 +3.0" -4.5" 3"@100 189
.45-70 (300 HP at 1800) .197 +2.7" -9.2" 3"@85 166
.45-70 (405 FP at 1330) .214 +1.3" -22.9" 3"@65 131
.458 Win. Mag. (500 RN at 2100) .295 +3.0" -2.9" 3"@100 200
.460 Wby. Mag. (500 RN at 2600) .295 +2.8" +0.6" 3"@116 246
