theprofessor Posted November 27, 2010 Report Share Posted November 27, 2010 Assuming that a pellet leaves the muzzle at 12ft/lb. A heavier pellet (eg .22) will have lower velocity than a lighter pellet (eg .177). My question is which pellet size (and weight since pellets of the same size can be different weights) delivers the most energy to a target at distance? I think that the answer is the heaviest .177 you can find. Here's my reasoning. Energy loss during flight is mainly due to air resistance, the smaller the pellet the less drag. However drag is related to speed in a cubed function (which is why a car with an engine twice as powerful doesn't have twice the top speed) therefore the slower the pellet the less loss due to drag. Thoughts? Good websites? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Duncan Posted November 27, 2010 Report Share Posted November 27, 2010 (edited) Assuming that a pellet leaves the muzzle at 12ft/lb. A heavier pellet (eg .22) will have lower velocity than a lighter pellet (eg .177). My question is which pellet size (and weight since pellets of the same size can be different weights) delivers the most energy to a target at distance? I think that the answer is the heaviest .177 you can find. Here's my reasoning. Energy loss during flight is mainly due to air resistance, the smaller the pellet the less drag. However drag is related to speed in a cubed function (which is why a car with an engine twice as powerful doesn't have twice the top speed) therefore the slower the pellet the less loss due to drag. Thoughts? Good websites? You tend to find that the bigger, heavier pellets hold onto more of their energy for longer. .25 Calibre being the ultimate in this respect - I seem to remember that at 35 yards an average weight .25 pellet will retain close to 80% of its energy at target, 35 yards away. That's a lot of whack (putting it scientifically)compared to a .177 at the same range. The bc of a .25 is much better and creates less drag, size for size when compared to a .177, surprising but true! The obvious downside of the .25 is the rainbow-like trajectory, of course. Horses for courses. Try looking up chairgun - a useful modelling program for trajectory as well as terminal ballistic values. Edited November 27, 2010 by The Duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theprofessor Posted November 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2010 Thanks, I think the bc is the key. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted November 28, 2010 Report Share Posted November 28, 2010 Assuming that a pellet leaves the muzzle at 12ft/lb. A heavier pellet (eg .22) will have lower velocity than a lighter pellet (eg .177). My question is which pellet size (and weight since pellets of the same size can be different weights) delivers the most energy to a target at distance? I think that the answer is the heaviest .177 you can find. Here's my reasoning. Energy loss during flight is mainly due to air resistance, the smaller the pellet the less drag. However drag is related to speed in a cubed function (which is why a car with an engine twice as powerful doesn't have twice the top speed) therefore the slower the pellet the less loss due to drag. Thoughts? Good websites? Aren't you forgetting inertia and gravity? Play around with Chairgun data. that will keep you busy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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