Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Ballistic coefficient
In ballistics, the ballistic coefficient (BC) of a body is a measure of its ability to overcome air resistance in flight.[1] It is inversely proportional to the negative acceleration a high number indicates a low negative acceleration. This is roughly the same as saying that the projectile in question possesses low drag, although some meaning is lost in the generalization. BC is a function of mass, diameter, and drag coefficient. It is given by the mass of the object divided by the diameter squared that it presents to the airflow divided by a dimensionless constant i that relates to the aerodynamics of its shape. Ballistic coefficient has units of lb/in or kg/m. BCs for bullets are normally stated in lb/in by their manufacturers without referring to this unit.
Formula
where: BCPhysics = ballistic coefficient as used in physics and engineering M = mass A = cross-sectional area Cd = drag coefficient (rho) = average density l = body length
This definition is not the same as the BC used by most bullet manufacturers. This is the BC as defined by and used in physics and engineering. Although it would not be incorrect to describe the behavior of bullets using this equation, the BC obtained from this equation would not give the same value as the BC from most bullet manufacturers because their value is a comparison to various standardized drag curve models.[citation needed]
Bullet performance
The formula for calculating the ballistic coefficient for bullets only is as follows:[2][3]
where: BCBullets = ballistic coefficient SD = sectional density, SD = mass of bullet in pounds or kilograms divided by its caliber squared in inches or meters; units are lb/in2 or kg/m2. i = form factor, i = ; (CG ~ 0.5191)
CB = Drag coefficient of the bullet CG = Drag coefficient of the G1 model bullet M = Mass of bullet, lb or kg d = diameter of bullet, in or m
Ballistic coefficient
This BC formula gives the ratio of ballistic efficiency compared to the standard G1 model projectile. The standard G1 projectile originates from the "C" standard reference projectile (a 450 grams (1lb), 25.4 millimetres (1in) diameter projectile with a flat base, a length of 76.2 millimetres (3in), and a 50.8 millimetres (2in) radius tangential curve for the point) defined by the German steel, ammunition and armaments manufacturer Krupp in 1881. By definition, the G1 model standard projectile has a BC of 1 (using Imperial Units). The French Gvre Commission decided to use this projectile as its first reference projectile, giving the G1 its name.[6][7] A bullet with a high BC will travel farther than one with a low BC because it is affected less by air resistance, and retains more of its initial velocity as it flies downrange from the muzzle (see external ballistics).[8] When hunting with a rifle, a higher BC is desirable for several reasons. A higher BC results in a flatter trajectory for a given distance, which in turn reduces the effect of errors in estimating the distance to the target. This is particularly important when attempting a clean hit on the vital organs of a game animal. If the target animal is closer than estimated, then the bullet will hit higher than expected. Conversely, if the animal is further than estimated the bullet will hit lower than expected. Such a difference from the point of aim can often make the difference between a clean kill and a wounded animal.
Wind drift calculations for rifle bullets of differing G1 BCs fired with a muzzle velocity of 2,950ft/s (900m/s) in a 10mph (16km/h) [4] crosswind.
Energy calculations for 9.1 grams (140gr) rifle bullets of differing G1 BCs fired with a muzzle [5] velocity of 2,950 feet per second (900m/s).
This difference in trajectories becomes more critical at longer ranges. For some cartridges, the difference in two bullet designs fired from the same rifle can result in a difference between the two of over 30 centimetres (12in) at 500 metres (550yd). The difference in impact energy can also be great because kinetic energy depends on the square of the velocity. A bullet with a high BC arrives at the target faster and with more energy than one with a low BC. Since the higher BC bullet gets to the target faster, there is also less time for it to be affected by any crosswind.
General trends
Sporting bullets, with a calibre d ranging from 4.4 to 12.7 millimetres (0.172 to 0.50in), have BCs in the range 0.12 to slightly over 1.00lb/in. Those bullets with the higher BCs are the most aerodynamic, and those with low BCs are the least. Very-low-drag bullets with BCs 1.10 can be designed and produced on CNC precision lathes out of mono-metal rods, but they often have to be fired from custom made full bore rifles with special barrels.[9] Ammunition makers often offer several bullet weights and types for a given cartridge. Heavy-for-caliber pointed (spitzer) bullets with a boattail design have BCs at the higher end of the normal range, whereas lighter bullets with square tails and blunt noses have lower BCs. The 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges are probably the most well known for having high BCs and are often used in long range target matches of 300m (328yd) 1,000m (1,094yd). The 6 and 6.5 have relatively light recoil compared to high BC bullets of greater caliber and tend to be shot by the winner in matches where accuracy is key. Examples include the 6mm PPC, 6mm Norma BR, 6x47mm SM, 6.555mm Swedish Mauser, 6.5x47mm Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, .260 Remington, and the 6.5-284. The 6.5mm is also a popular hunting caliber in Europe. In the United States, hunting cartridges such as the .25-06 Remington (a 6.35mm caliber), the .270 Winchester (a 6.8mm caliber), and the .284 Winchester (a 7mm caliber) are used when high BCs and moderate recoil are desired.
Ballistic coefficient The .30-06 Springfield and .308 Winchester cartridges also offer several high-BC loads, although the bullet weights are on the heavy side. The .308 is also a favorite long-range target cartridge. In the larger caliber category, the .338 Lapua Magnum and the .50 BMG are popular with very high BC bullets for shooting beyond 1000 meters. Newer chamberings in the larger caliber category are the .375 and .408 Cheyenne Tactical and the .416 Barrett.
Ballistic coefficient 1.040 1.051 1.057 1.063 1.064 1.067 1.068 1.068 1.068 1.066 1.064 1.060 1.056 1.050 1.042 1.032
The initial rise in the BC value is attributed to a projectile's always present yaw and precession out of the bore. The test results were obtained from many shots, not just a single shot. The bullet was assigned 1.062 for its BC number by the bullet's manufacturer, Lost River Ballistic Technologies. Measurements on other bullets can give totally different results. How different speed regimes affect several 8.6mm (.338 in calibre) rifle bullets made by the Finnish ammunition manufacturer Lapua can be seen in the .338 Lapua Magnum product brochure which states Doppler radar established BC data.[10]
Ballistic coefficient G5 (short 7.5 boat-tail, 6.19 calibers long tangent ogive) G6 (flatbase, 6 calibers long secant ogive) G7 (long 7.5 boat-tail, 10 calibers tangent ogive, preferred by some manufacturers for very-low-drag bullets[12]) G8 (flatbase, 10 calibers long secant ogive) GL (blunt lead nose) Since these standard projectile shapes differ significantly the Gx BC G7 shape standard projectile. All measurements will also differ significantly from the Gy BC for an identical bullet.[13] in calibers/diameters. To illustrate this the bullet manufacturer Berger has published the G1 and G7 BCs for most of their target, tactical, varmint and hunting bullets.[14] Other manufacturers like Lapua and Nosler also started to publish the G1 and G7 BCs for most of their target bullets.[15][16] How much a projectile deviates from the applied reference projectile is mathematically expressed by the form factor (i). The applied reference projectile shape always has a form factor (i) of exactly 1. When a particular projectile has a sub 1 form factor (i) this indicates that the particular projectile exhibits lower drag than the applied reference projectile shape. A form factor (i) greater than 1 indicates the particular projectile exhibits more drag than the applied reference projectile shape.[17] In general the G1 model yields comparatively high BC values and is often used by the sporting ammunition industry.
References
[1] The Truth About Ballistic Coefficients (http:/ / arxiv. org/ ftp/ arxiv/ papers/ 0705/ 0705. 0389. pdf) [2] Sectional Density and Ballistic Coefficient (http:/ / www. eskimo. com/ ~jbm/ topics/ secdens. html) [3] Archive of Ballistic Coefficients Explained by Jim Ristow (http:/ / 50gi. com/ forums/ archive/ index. php/ t-533. html) [4] JBM Ballistics online trajectory calculator (http:/ / www. jbmballistics. com/ cgi-bin/ jbmtraj-5. 1. cgi) [5] JBM ballistics online trajectory calculator (http:/ / www. jbmballistics. com/ cgi-bin/ jbmtraj-5. 1. cgi) [6] Weite Schsse - drei (German) (http:/ / www. lima-wiederladetechnik. de/ Weite-Schuesse/ Weite-Schuesse-3. htm) [7] Historical Summary (http:/ / www. exteriorballistics. com/ ebexplained/ 4th/ 30. cfm) [8] The Ballistic Coefficient Explained (http:/ / www. exteriorballistics. com/ ebexplained/ 5th/ 221. cfm) [9] LM Class Bullets, very high BC bullets for windy long ranges. (http:/ / www. lima-wiederladetechnik. de/ Englisch/ LM-Class-Bullets. htm) [10] .338 Lapua Magnum product brochure (http:/ / www. lapua. com/ fileadmin/ user_upload/ esitteet/ Lapua. 338LapuaMagnum. pdf) [11] Exterior Ballistics and Ballistic Coefficients (http:/ / www. shootingsoftware. com/ coefficients. htm) [12] A Better Ballistic Coefficient by Bryan Litz, Ballistician Berger Bullets (http:/ / 02b0516. netsolhost. com/ blog1/ ?p=62) [13] Ballistic Coefficient Basics (http:/ / www. shootersforum. com/ ballistics-internal-external/ 61432-ballistic-coefficient-basics. html)
Ballistic coefficient
[14] Berger Bullets Technical Specifications (http:/ / www. bergerbullets. com/ products/ all-bullets/ ) [15] Lapua bullets technical information (http:/ / www. lapua. com/ en/ products/ reloading) [16] Nosler AccuBond Longe Range technical information (http:/ / www. nosler. com/ Bullets/ AccuBond_LongRange. aspx) [17] Form Factors: A Useful Analysis Tool by Bryan Litz, Chief Ballistician Berger Bullets (http:/ / www. bergerbullets. com/ form-factors-a-useful-analysis-tool/ ) [18] http:/ / www. jbmballistics. com/ ballistics/ calculators/ calculators. shtml
External links
Aerospace Corporation Definition (http://www.reentrynews.com/Defs.html) Chuck Hawks Article on Ballistic Coefficient (http://www.chuckhawks.com/bc.htm) Ballistic Coefficient Tables (http://www.frfrogspad.com/bcdata.htm) Exterior Ballistics.com (http://www.exteriorballistics.com/ebexplained/index.cfm) How do bullets fly? The ballistic coefficient (bc) by Ruprecht Nennstiel, Wiesbaden, Germany (http://www. nennstiel-ruprecht.de/bullfly/ballcoeff.htm#header) Ballistic Coefficients - Explained (http://www.precisionshooting.com.au/downloads/ ballisticcoefficients-explained(4).pdf)
License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/