Trajectories

[MikeLD]

Hi all, can someone tell me where I can find the trajectory for a 22 long rifle. I have a Ruger 10/22 target model with the hammer forged stainless steel barrel with the target trigger and a scope. I love the rifle and have been trying to find the distance at which it shoots the flatest. It seems to have about a 10 inch drop at 100 yards. Thanks for any help with this.
Mike

 

[Wildfire]

No.

Hey there:
The answer is no. There are so many .22 brands and different velocities on .22 ammo, I have never seen a good comparison chart and I'm not so sure there is one. The problem comes in with so many variations of rifles.
There are some trajectory scopes out there that claim to be right on .
But you must use the ammo the scope is set to. Which may or may not shoot well in your gun.
You already have what you need to know. 10" at 100 ? Adjust that scope and you can be dead on. I use a weaver 4x16 and I use the target turrets all the time. I also only shoot Green tag Sub Sonic ammo. But can still place killing shoots on crows and such past 100 yards. Mine is a Ruger 77/22 VBZ.
There may be some on line thing that would give you some specs. Not sure.
But still You must place holes in paper to prove it with your gun.
Charts and numbers are just charts and numbers. What your gun does may be different. Shoot it and find all of your Correct settings . That 10/22 is capable of very good accuracy at any distance. A good scope with useable target turrets is a must for real serious accuracy.

 

[MikeLD]

Turrets

Wildfire thanks for the reply, I am just trying to get as accurate as possable with what I have can you tell me what target turrets are thanks again.
Mike

 

[Wildfire]

Turrets.

Hey :
Turrets are the adjusting knobs on the scope. The scopes with the taller knobs are for tuning your trajectory. Most are numbered. Set your zero at what ever range you want. Mine is 50 yards. You can then use the target knobs (turrets) to adjust your shot for longer distances. 75, 100, 125 and so on till your gun reaches it max capability.
My Weaver is getting older now but if I recall I paid around $300.00 for it.
Never been sorry. A cheap scope is just that . A cheap scope. They may or may not be able to repeat their settings. A good scope will.

 

[Wildfire]

Good luck.

Hey there:
Hope some of what I said helps you get going on your project.

 

[Sunray]

"...tuning your trajectory..." You can't tune trajectory. Trajectory is an ammo thing only. Trajectory changes according to the bullet weight and its velocity with any ammo. Rimfire or centrefire. It has nothing to do with the sights or how they're adjusted. You can tune your POI though.
Hi. You must try as many brands as you can to find the ammo your rifle shoots best and cycles the action first. The cost of said ammo means nothing either. No two rifles will shoot the same ammo the same way. Not even two consecutively serial numbered rifles. (This also applies to centrefire rifles using factory ammo.) You need to have a group before you worry about anything else. .22's are just like that.
Go here for .22 ballistics charts, but it won't matter if your rifle won't shoot a particular brand of ammo.
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ballistics/22_lr_hivel_hypvel_handgun.html
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ballistics/22_longrifle_stndrd.html

 

[Wildfire]

Wow.

Hey there:
I think that is what I said. Bullet placement. tuning the scope to hit where he wanted it to. No chart will be right for his gun. I guess I should have played with my words better. I do not use on line charts and or load info. It's a matter of trust. Holes in paper tell all.

 

[Sunray]

Hi, Wildfire. Ballistic charts are only about factory tested ammo. They tell you what factory tested ammo did with factory barrels at a given distance under extremely well controlled conditions.
The scope, sighting in nor bullet placement matters if the rifle/pistol won't shoot them well and cycle the action of a semi-auto.
On-line charts for centrefire ammo only give you an idea of what a like weight bullet will do, but with that maker's ammo. Rimfire charts are averages unless a specific brand is listed. They don't guarrantee that any .22 will shoot them well nor cycle the action.
I suspect that Mike is confused about what trajectory is. Hopefully, between the two of us, he's sorted out. I really wouldn't want to see an FNG more confused by us.

 

[Chuck Dye]

There are a number of ballistics programs around. Internet search engines or the search function here at THR will get you to many of them. Though I have the Oehler Ballistic Explorer on my computer, I also like the one on the Norma website, where I often use the "Define your own bullit" function. I especially like the Norma Java app for the sliders that allow you to make many changes on the fly.

The ballistic coefficient of most .22LR 40 grain solids will be between 0.135 and 0.160. Post a load or three and I'll dig the B.C.s out of the Oehler library.

Oh! Almost forgot the weasel words: Any ballistic calculation will be based on a lot of assumptions and should be taken only as a jumpoff point for your own tests.

 

[res45]

Post your question here http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php about anything you want to know about the .17,22 and 22 mag rf can be found here.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Try the Oehler Ballistic Explorer program. It has quite a few brands and types of .22 LR ammo in its library, and you can enter more -- just put in the muzzle velocity and ballistic coefficient.

 

[Wildfire]

All good answers

Hey there again:
While I agree that charts may give you an idea of what to expect they are seldom right on for a particular rilfe.
I am an accuracy nut and have studied ballistics for 30 years now. i am into pin point accuracy with any rifle.
My point in any of this was to give the guy a place to start. Assuming he knew how to find an ammo that will group in his rifle . Which I assume he has done. With that done he can now use a good trustworthy scope to adjust the trajectory of that round. The Spear reloading manual says Trajectory is "The path of the projectile in flight relative to the line of sight". The sights can be changed and point of impact manipulated therefore changing the trajectory. My Ruger VBZ .22 shoots Green Tag sub sonics at 1/4" groups at 50 yards. 1" at 100 yards. To do this the sights must be changed and to do this repeatedly the scope must be of a quality as to allow that to happen.
Manipulation of the trajectory is done all the time with rifle rounds .22 rim fire or center fire. Charts and numbers are charts and numbers the holes in the target are what proves what is going on. many go by the charts and when their gun does not measure up they think there is something wrong with there gun. This just is not true. Ammo testing was odne at a different time place and conditions and can not possilbly match every gun. There ar etoo many variables. Shoot the thing and prove what it will do. Go from there.
Charts may give some ammo comparisons but that is the best they can do.
At the least My hope was too give the guy some general info that would get him out shooting and prove his gun and enjoy doing it.