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1/2/2003 5:55:42 AM EDT
So what's the difference between say a 55 grain and a 64 grain on a "target"? Is one preferred over another for different situations? I've been using Federal 55 grain for target shooting and looking to purchase another batch. Should I be stocking the heavier grain rounds or is the 55 grain o.k. for general usage to include WTSHTF?

1/2/2003 6:10:17 AM EDT
[#1]
www.ammo-oracle.com/

Should answer about all your questions. Great info.
1/2/2003 6:16:01 AM EDT
[#2]
Suggest the answer to this question lies in reading the "Ammo Faq" tacked to the top of the Ammunition Forum.

And your own personal preference.

Mike
1/2/2003 6:30:07 AM EDT
[#3]
A heavier bullet will drop faster (more) at a given range, and will not be as affected by wind.
1/2/2003 7:05:11 AM EDT
[#4]

Quoted:
A heavier bullet will drop faster (more) at a given range, and will not be as affected by wind.



Regarding the first half of your statement, higher retained energy and higher ballistic coefficient affect this and many (most?) heavier bullets actually drop less at longer ranges.  I cannot pretend to have a thorough understanding of this, but ballistic charts show it to be true.  Perhaps someone educated in this can explain better?
1/2/2003 7:26:37 AM EDT
[#5]
BeeKeep,

I was going on the generality that a heavier bullet, in the same cartridge, will travel slower, thus not cover as much distance for the amount of drop that a lighter, faster bullet would.

The heavier bullet won't slow down as fast as a lighter bullet would, tho, and thus it will retain energy at longer ranges better.  

well, that's all just my somewhat educate SWAG.  :)
1/2/2003 7:33:31 AM EDT
[#6]
Lighter bullets with lower ballistic coeffecient(They don't fly as well) tend to use up most of their energy to cut the air and run out of gas sooner than heavier bullets. Heavier bullets due to their shape and typical slenderness will tend to cut the air better and fly farther before they lose their energy.

1/2/2003 9:39:42 AM EDT
[#7]
Thanks for the info. The Ammo FAQ does explain things well.
1/2/2003 3:43:21 PM EDT
[#8]


-Troy
1/2/2003 5:14:21 PM EDT
[#9]
BK, physics and gravity gentlemen.  Both bullets "fall" at the same rate.  The bullet that maintains higher velocity longer travels further for each drop in elevation.  If fired using the same ballistic parameters they will both "hit the surface" at the same time but the bullet that maintains greater velocity longer will have travelled a greater distance.
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