Test Range data- LR/PRS shooters especially what do you need?

[whiddengunworks]

We're about to open the can on some exciting improvements to our Rimfire Ammo Test Range. I'd like feedback on what new things the Test Range can provide that would be useful to you (besides of course plenty of cheap ammo of your favorite brand... that's out of our control).

When we test a rifle, we currently send a report that shows how each lot of ammo shot for accuracy at 50M and 100M. If the test is shot on the Megalink lane at our shop (tested with ammo other than Eley Tenex in other words) down range velocity data is also on that report, but you sort of have to look for it.

What if all of the data was presented in inches rather than millimeters? ...and measured center to center as we tend to do in America?

What if we could provide estimated wind drift data for each lot so you could compare?

What if we could provide estimated accuracy at long range? For example we can look at 100M accuracy and velocity spreads and can make a reasonably good estimate of 200 yard and 300 yard accuracy. Would this be valuable?

What if we provided velocity spreads in an easier to compare format?

What if we reformatted the entire results into a little cleaner summary? This might make it quicker to determine the best ammo, but we'd also include the current detailed report.

Your ideas will be welcomed!

John Whidden
Whidden Gunworks

 

[dusterdave173]

That sounds like progress
Sounds like you are always thinking and working hard to make your service even more valuable.
We are all lucky to have you
Out here -shooters keep improving--matches get harder by the month to win--scores continue to get better so any improvements on your end are welcome
Thanks!

 

[grauhanen]

What if we could provide estimated wind drift data for each lot so you could compare?

This could result in slower lots outselling faster ones with little advantage to customers and it doesn't tell them how well the ammo will perform. Of course, when two lots of match ammo perform very similarly the slower one has the attraction of slightly less wind drift.

The question of wind drift due to velocity differences is far more important when comparing standard velocity with high velocity .22LR ammo.

On average wind drift will be directly related to MV. The slower the MV the less the drift. But there must be quite a big difference between lot speeds for it to matter significantly. Much more important for shooter success is ability to deal with wind.

To illustrate, consider two lots of .22LR match ammo, one at 1050 fps, the other at 1100 fps.

At 100 yards each 1 mph of crosswind results in about 0.03" more wind drift for the faster round.
At 200 yards each 1 mph of crosswind results in about 0.1" more wind drift for the faster round.
At 300 yards each 1 mph of crosswind gives about 0.17" more wind drift for the faster one.

With a 1 mph crosswind a high velocity .22LR round with an MV of 1234 fps will drift almost 0.2" more than the 1100 fps round at 100, about 0.5" more at 200 and about 1.0" more at 300 yards.

 

[ATFIV]

Would it be useful to identify lots with slower shots printing higher in the groups?
Just a thought.

 

[whiddengunworks]

I hadn't thought of that. I think it is possible to calculate. Let me ponder how to test this... Thanks for the idea.

Would you want the slower shots higher at 50M or 100M or both? If they're higher at both then are they a flyer?

 

[John1945]

I've been to the Ohio test center a number of times. Like yours they always test by grouping. But many have said the group results don't always correlate to the score as we move from bull to bull (I am talking ARA targets). If that is so why not test on an actual target for score?

 

[prone.life]

Mean radius?

 

[Ranger188]

Thank you John for what you do for the shooting sports.
Carrie is a pleasure to talk to.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

FPS and inches!

 

[kojaone]

Comparison test, 1-13" and a 1-16" Mullers. 50,100 and beyond.

 

[RegionRat]

John, I appreciate the service and the efforts.

I'm used to dealing with both unit systems and this doesn't tend to bother folks who have the experience, but your customer base should guide your choices. It can't hurt to include both units.

As far as ballistic estimates beyond the sensors, if your data shows the actual BC, velocity stats, and group stats, no reason not to include the additional estimates if folks want them.

With the actual values from the target sensors, a user should be able to model any distance they like, but there may be some folks who don't run those models who would benefit from those being offered.

I just appreciate the ability of the service to provide a good selection of test ammo till your techs find at least one that works.

 

[foxguy]

I'm interested in seeing data in inches (.000) at 50 AND 100 yards.
5 & 10 MPH wind drift at 50 & 100 would also be great!

 

[whiddengunworks]

Thanks to all for the feedback, and keep it coming.

John1945 the score data is on those results I expect as we both use Megalink systems. The scores are simulated on the ISSF target, same one used in the Olympics. What's strange about that is that it's decimal scoring and the highest value is 10.9, so a possible 109 score for 10 shots.

It's still valuable even if you're shooting ARA or any other score game. I think it's the most underrated metric.

Let me give this example. Let's say you have shot two groups. Each group is an awesome 11.2mm (I chose this to make the math easy, it's 2x bullet diameter). Group #1 is perfectly round, evenly distributed, like a donut. Group #2 shoots 9 shots through the exact same hole, then one single shot through a hole that's exactly beside the other 9. Both group sizes are the same (2 bullet holes in diameter), but the score for Group #2 is much higher.

On the ISSF target, consistent stores of 107+ in the test range are about as good as it gets. I don't recall ever seeing a 108 at our place. The 107 may be a little easier to achieve at 100M because of the target size difference.

Prone.life I think score and mean radius pretty much come to the same conclusion but I've never gotten in the weeds on that math. I will welcome some education if you've looked into this.

kojaone we don't have much 13" twist data but so far I can't say they're clearly better, at least to 100M.

 

[John1945]

John, appreciate your comments. My intent was to suggest that the rifle actually is moved from bull to bull and not kept in one aiming position. All velocity data can still be collected. Not sure how practical that is however.

 

[ATFIV]

I hadn't thought of that. I think it is possible to calculate. Let me ponder how to test this... Thanks for the idea.

Would you want the slower shots higher at 50M or 100M or both? If they're higher at both then are they a flyer?

I'm not sure about which distance 50/100m would be best for 200-300 yard groups. I was just looking at it from a centerfire loading tuning perspective. Specifically, when you see slightly higher charge weights print lower at distance?