Comparing Advertised Ballistic Coefficients with Independent Measurements

Abstract

This report addresses the question of ballistic coefficient accuracy. Ballistic coefficients of bullets are important because under or over estimates of ballistic coefficients can dramatically impact predictions of long range trajectory, wind drift, and impact energy. This project compares ballistic coefficients advertised by four well-known bullet companies (Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, and Barnes) with those measured by an independent source (Bryan Litz). G1 and G7 ballistic coefficients were determined using calculations at the JBM Ballistics web site. Many published ballistic coefficients are significantly different from independent measurements, with Nosler's advertised ballistic coefficients showing the largest overestimates.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 17, 2012
Accession Number
ADA554683

Entities

People

  • Bradford Hackert
  • Emily Bohnenkamp
  • Maurice Motley
  • Michael Courtney

Organizations

  • United States Air Force Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Acoustic Detectors
  • Aerodynamic Drag
  • Air Force
  • Air Resistance
  • Ballistics
  • Coefficients
  • Detectors
  • Diameters
  • Drag
  • Mach Number
  • Measurement
  • Muzzle Velocity
  • Sea Level
  • Standards
  • Trajectories
  • United States Air Force Academy

Readers

  • Approximation Theory.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • ballistics.