Part 3: The Process- with Wayne Dayberry

We’ve covered the “Quick Start” and “Filling in the Data Gaps” in previous emails. Now we finish this series with an overview of “The Process” and “Truing Your Ballistic Coefficient” for Rimfire Ammunition below.

The Process

1. We need an estimated ballistic coefficient as a starting point to enter in your ballistic solver.

a. For 40grain 22lr rimfire ammunition, I start with a .1 G1 ballistic coefficient as a baseline.

2. Enter the data into your ballistic solver (free ones work just fine for this)

3. If you have the capability, update the environmentals in your solver for the day

4. 100yards: Using your solver, dial the indicated elevation adjustment and confirm with live fire. Write down your elevation adjustment

5. 200yards: same drill.  Using your solver, dial the indicated elevation adjustment and confirm with live fire. Write down your elevation adjustment

6. Before going to 300yards: compare what your solver is telling you and what your actual elevation adjustment needed. If they are fairly close, proceed to 300y. If not, skip to the truing section, the come back to step 7 300yards.

7. 300yard: using your solver, dial the elevation solution, make a wind call, and send rounds down range.

a. If not shooting on paper:

i. A good follow through and staying on scope will help you spot misses and make adjustments

ii. A friend on a spotting scope or another rifle optic works very well for this process.

iii. **shooting at easily identifiable spots on the berm (clumps of dirt, clay pigeons etc) helps to call your shots

8. Write down your actual elevation adjustment.

Truing your Ballistic Coefficient

Now the magic happens with a little trial and error.

Before starting this last step, ensure you have the velocity data we gathered earlier. If needed, obtain a good average velocity by shooting 10 shots over a chronograph. Then, for this last step we’ll hold that data constant along with bullet weight and adjust our ballistic coefficient as follows. Go back to your solver and adjust the ballistic coefficient for this ammunition until you develop a profile that is very close to your actual elevation adjustments.

I keep my zero range zero elevation and adjust the ballistic coefficient until my 300 yard is spot on. Then I refine the ballistic coefficient plus or minus very small increments until the intermediate ranges true up as well. Sometimes it is hard to get every range perfect, and that’s acceptable. This is a field expedient method to do what sophisticated radar systems and extensive testing are designed for. In my experience, the ballistic profile is within .1 or .2 mils at all distances from my zero range out to 300 yards. And that’s basically a maximum error at distance of 2”…I’ll take that with a rimfire any day.  

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with Wayne Dayberry

There’s plenty of data on the inter webs to get you on target at distance with most popular long-range centerfire cartridges. But let’s say you want too apply those same principles and ring steel at distance with your rimfire rifle. This is one of a series of articles to help make that happen. We will dive deeper into the details over the next few days. Stay tuned!

Quick Start

• Download a ballistic solver application on your computer or phone
• Gather up some quality match ammunition and your chronograph
• Capture muzzle velocities
• Enter .1 as a Ballistic Coefficient if BC is uknown into your solver as your baseline, along with your bullet weight, muzzle velocity and any other data needed.
• Zero at your preferred distance. (We chose 35 yards)
• Shoot at 50yd, 100yd, 200yd, 300yd, truing your BC at each distance before going to the next.
• Write down actual elevation adjustments to make these shots
• Adjust the ballistic coefficient in your solver attempting to match your actual adjustments. Make small refinements.

Now you have a custom built ballistic profile for your weapon system and ammunition of choice. 

Remember this from Ken Oehler in his article “Extended Range Truing Why and How”…

“The bullet doesn’t lie, you must listen”

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The Reverse Delta Ring Grip
Nearly any glove will work well with this technique. The wrist is only slightly bent so a stiff or flexible back side of the glove is acceptable. The fingerless or open finger style makes it easier to pick something up or adjust your sling if needed.

The Normal Delta Ring Grip

An open finger glove is acceptable for this position too. We also suggest a glove with a tighter cuff and even a stiffer back to help support a straight wrist. Be sure not to have too much weight over your thumb.

The Brass Catcher Grip

Left handed people won’t mind shooting to the right of you because all of your brass will end up being caught by your full finger glove. Definitely don’t try this with a fingerless glove.

The Bull Horns or Rocker Grip
Your glove should have sufficient grip on the back of the knuckles and a full finger glove will help the rifle stay centered and upright. A supportive wrist band is beneficial too.

Off a Fist
This is similar to the Bull Horn but you make a complete fist. Many shooters use this is they have short arms or can’t get the muzzle high enough. A mitt with additional padding can raise the rifle even higher, and keep pressure off your knuckles.

Over The Glove Mitt
If you don’t like shooting off the top of your fist, but you can’t get the muzzle high enough, adding a mitt over your glove can provide that additional padding you’ll need to get you on target.

Tight Against the Swivel Grip
If your hand is wedged against the swivel in prone, it can be uncomfortable. A mitt with additional padding on the back will prevent the swivel from digging into your hand and your slowfire will be much more enjoyable. 

Over the Glove Mitt in Prone
The technique will prevent your glove from tearing up, raise the muzzle, eliminate more pulse, and also prevent your hand from getting sore if you have a very tight sling.

The Flat Palm Grip
A favorite for air rifle shooters, an open finger glove to feel for consistent hand placement is best. Having some padding on the palm side also helps to alleviate pulse.

Off a Fist 2
Here’s another example of this technique with a smallbore or air rifle palm shelf. This glove has a stiff back to keep your wrist straight, as well as padding to protect your knuckles. 

Normal Grip
With fingers to the right of the rifle and your wrist bent, you’ll want a glove with a flexible back. This mesh glove with the rubber cutout is great for air rifle shooters using this technique.

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• Talk to People- Camp Perry has a different kind of environment than most matches. An ordinary smallbore or air rifle match consists of getting to the range early, rushing to get everything situated, shoot, pack, and go home. That’s not how it works at CP. Between relays, go meet people! Hanging out alone in your tent is boring. Walk up and down the line and introduce yourself. We’re all shooters so it will be pretty easy to find something in common with them.  Many of my friends today are people I met at Camp Perry. You’ll see most of these people throughout the year and shooting is way more fun when you know that even if you’re on the other side of the country at a match, you’ll have friends there.

• Commercial Row Never Gets Old- Most of the stuff we like to buy can’t be found at your local department store. If there’s something you’ve been eyeing online or in a catalog, now’s your chance to actually see it in person before you buy it. Ben and I will be at the Creedmoor Sports store next to registration so feel free to stop in and hang out. The best thing is, the stores have AC!

• Andy’s Party Mart- Wondering where people go after the shooting is done for the day? Go across town to Andy’s and you’ll see a long line of shooters waiting to get their nightly ice cream cone.

• Cornhole- The real competitions begin once the last shots are fired. Cornhole boards are set up all over the base and it’s taken very seriously. I think people check their Natural Point of Aim more often during cornhole than during their kneeling stage.

• The Pier- Evenings on the pier with a fishing rod are a blast. Just try to avoid the bombs dropped by the seagulls. Someone will tell you it’s good luck, but don’t believe them.

• Stay on Base- You miss out on a lot if you’re staying off base in a hotel. Yeah, you might have a pool and be closer to restaurants, but nothing beats cooking out and hanging out with other shooters.

• Bring a Bicycle- You’ll be doing a ton of walking that week. Give yourself a break and bring a bike. Watching an MP zoom by in a golf cart while you’ve been walking for a half hour in 90 degree heat just to get to your friend’s hut can be demoralizing.

• Bug Spray- The Mayflies are harmless but make a ton of noise when you walk across thousands that land on the sidewalk. They also smell awful. However, the mosquitos are nasty. Around 7pm, you’ll start getting bit and they won’t stop. You’ll be spending most of your time outside so just be prepared and buy the good stuff.

• Ask for Discounts at Restaurants- You’ll see a bunch of signs around town that say “Welcome Shooters!” Be sure to ask if they have National Matches discounts. Port Clinton is very supportive of the events at Camp Perry and I know a lot of you really like discounts.

• Don’t Be Worried About Score: Camp Perry is an event of its own. You may be an 1150 shooter but anything is possible with that wind and rain. Just do your best and don’t get upset if you have a flyer. There might even be a day where the best shooter is just praying to keep it in the black.

-Brent

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