Alrighty then. If we want to break it down from the ballistics aspect of a long range rifle shot then I feel compelled to add my 2 cents worth. I look at it like this. There are three types of ballistics involved in this. #1. Internal ballistics. #2. External ballistics and #3. Terminal ballistics.
Internal ballistics deals with everything that happens up to the point where the projectile is fired. In the case of a rifle shot then we are dealing with bullet weight and type, the powder charge and the rifling of the barrel. Every thing needs to be constant. Even the lot number of the ammo is taken into consideration. Temperature is a factor because hot powder burns hotter thus creating a higher than normal muzzle velocity. It has already been stated that cold rubber tubing creates less velocity that warm tubing and a lighter projectile will also move faster than a heavier one. The release/trigger pull should be consistantly stable and smooth, that is a given. (has anyone thought of fabricating a bi-pod for their Big Shot yet?)
External ballistics include air temp, humidity, elevation above ground level, wind and drag on the projectile. In the case launching a throw ball, I prefer a 14 oz bag with 2.2 mm zing it. These are the constants for me. Thinner lighter line is going to cause less drag than something like parachute cord or that old school slick line. I know that there are now more aerodynamic throw weights on the market today that look like dimpled golf balls.
Now we come to the terminal ballistics part. Terminal ballistics is everything that happens after the projectile hits the target. Again, I like the 14 oz weight because it is heavy enough to come back down through the canopy and doesnt hang up in twigs and rough bark. I dont see the point of launching a throw ball 100+ feet into a tree and not being able to manipulate it back down to the ground. The point of this exercise is to set a rope correct? Also what happens when a small 6 oz flies off its mark and lands on some ones car two blocks away because the end of the line wasnt tied off to the cube or bag? Just sayin'.
Back in the day, every shot at the range was logged on a data card and stored in a data book. The reason being is that you could always look back at your DOPE (data of previous engagement) and be able to look up what weather data you fired in the past. I dont keep data books on throw line shots but I always have the DOPE in the back of my head and adjust with a very complex technique called Kentucky Windage.
Shoot Straight Brothers.
