Dave,
As for the Hornady Ballistic Solver, it is just a tool.
You could use Berger Solver with their Radar based bullet profiles. The idea of that spreadsheet is to figure out what is the difference of 1% in MV at long range.
Thus, I selected 225gr ELDM launched at 3000 fps, compared to 3030 fps, what is delta dial up and what is the delta drop in inches.
You can use 230 LRHT Berger bullet and use the Berger online solver and repeat the exercise.
You are forgetting that you must have a rifle and reloading equipment that is more consistent. You are discussing and debating theory with people who, more than likely, have better equipment than you. And probably have far more experience than you under competition environments which ultimately is better than discussing this in a theoretical classroom environment.
There is already a guy out there that has done the work that you are trying to “discover”. His name is Bryan Litz. You may have heard of him. His credentials are impeccable. He has a little company you may want to look into. His side gig is designing bullets for some hole in the wall company.
Anyhow, our guns and equipment are tuned to outperform any off the shelf fire arm over time.
To compare a factory gun (I’m referring to a top end gun manufacturer, (like ones you mentioned) is like comparing a dump truck to an F1 racing team.
We are firing 1,000’s of rounds in competition, load development and practice every year. And the goal for a lot of us is not the smallest group for a couple of shots but to maintain accuracy in many different conditions/locations over an entire day.
Our guns are scrutinized to the very smallest measurement. Our results and goals are vastly different than yours. We don’t just throw money at our guns to say look at this thing I have here at the local range. We do it to solve problems and win.
Again posting 3 to 5 shot groups doesn’t mean shit. Show me targets on paper at distance over 10 or 20 shots. And shooting steel is fun but from a statistical standpoint, isn’t as accurate as paper.
I like shooting steel as much as the next guy but that not how I compete.
Our ladder tests and seating depth tuning is the most effective and efficient way to tune competition guns for accuracy.
And finally. You my friend are barking up the wrong tree. Coming here starting this tread is a veiled attempt at starting a pissing match turned into a dumpster fire. I get it, you want to be entertained. But trying to discuss advanced mathematics and statistical theory in this environment is pointless.
The information you are after? You are trying to reinvent the wheel and it’s already been done. My recommendation to you (if you are genuine in your pursuit for knowledge) is to go buy Bryan Litzy’s books. Everything you claim to want to know is in there. You should take up you theories with Bryan or his staff directly not try to impress a bunch of shooters on a forum. He and his people attend PRS and ELR matches all the time. Find them in Facebook and schedule a time to hang out with them. I’ve done it. They are very helpful.