finding fps without chrono

[SA Friday]

Between this and the USPDA state championship thread...


What is the purpose of chrono'ing and why is there a limit? Wouldn't a faster fps result in more damage to target and thus less chance of survival?... unless the bullet travels so quickly that it punctures and carterizes... but I doubt that would happen at even super speed!

Can someone explain it all to me?

Chronographing the round gives you the bullet's velocity. Multiply the velocity and the bullet weight then divide by 1000 and this gives you a comparible measurement of momentum (power factor). For every action, there is an equal and opposite action; so that measurement of momentum is quantifiable to the pistol's recoil. The hotter the load, the more the recoil. This levels the playing field as USPSA regulates a momentum "floor" for minor and major power factors. You shoot less recoil, you get less points for off-center hits. Minor is 125pf minimum and major is 165pf minimum. There is no ceiling in MOST pistol competitions (just don't show up shooting 50 AE). The hottest I've seen was 209pf from a Glock 45 GAP. It was on the fringe of scary to watch the guy shoot it.

Some matches set a ceiling on pf and ammo types to stop the steel targets from getting all chewed up. For example, a 160gr 7mm Nosler Partition wil cut through 3/8" AR500 plate like butter at 600 yds. It leaves an impressive quarter sized hole clean through the plate. This sucks, BTW, if you own the plate.

[BigBear]

Ah... that all makes sense... but I'm going to have to ask (I think I know the answer, just want to clarify/make sure): What should I NOT show up shooting a .50AE? Disregarding the ceiling limits, wouldn't the power factor give that shooter an edge? Or is that why there are time limits to equal out teh power levels?....

[tmckay2]

i just want it so i can figure out trajectories and write down the zero numbers on my scope for 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 yards instead of doing it manually every freaking time i want to shoot either short range or long.

the other problem im having is figuring out a load. some will be super accurate at 100 but not so at 600, some are super accurate at 600 but not 100. but once i get the load done and the fps, i can plot out how it should be zeroed at all ranges.

[Tim K]

i just want it so i can figure out trajectories and write down the zero numbers on my scope for 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 yards instead of doing it manually every freaking time i want to shoot either short range or long.

the other problem im having is figuring out a load. some will be super accurate at 100 but not so at 600, some are super accurate at 600 but not 100. but once i get the load done and the fps, i can plot out how it should be zeroed at all ranges.

Borrow a chrono. Lots of people here, including myself, would be willing to let you shoot over ours. Your second issue is much more involved. Consider reading all the stickies at the top of this forum. It'll put you on the right track.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubb...oard=13&page=1

[Byte Stryke]

Ah... that all makes sense... but I'm going to have to ask (I think I know the answer, just want to clarify/make sure): What should I NOT show up shooting a .50AE? Disregarding the ceiling limits, wouldn't the power factor give that shooter an edge? Or is that why there are time limits to equal out teh power levels?....

Shoot a magload through a pistol of 50AE
Lemme know how your hand feels.

Yes, even Mr. Gorilla-Grip.

Also:
Makes holes in Gongs
and everything else

[SA Friday]

Ah... that all makes sense... but I'm going to have to ask (I think I know the answer, just want to clarify/make sure): What should I NOT show up shooting a .50AE? Disregarding the ceiling limits, wouldn't the power factor give that shooter an edge? Or is that why there are time limits to equal out teh power levels?....

It's got enough energy to damage some props.

[Irving]

Disregarding the ceiling limits, wouldn't the power factor give that shooter an edge?

No, you are just shooting holes in paper and knocking down steel. Doesn't matter how hard you or fast you hit the target, just that you hit it. Not to mention there is no way to measure that anyway. Only having less power could potentially give you an advantage by making your gun easier to shoot by having less recoil. I suspect, that even if there was no minimum requirement, people wouldn't go too low, and risk having their gun be so soft that waiting for the gun to cycle starts to slow them down.