In this first video on internal ballistics Rex introduces the topic by walking through the outline of the series. Understanding Internal Ballistics is fundamental to the successful deployment of your long range rifle system. There are many interrelated factors that can affect the way your rifle vibrates which can dramatically affect the axis of your bore changing your point of impact from round to round. In order to develop the skills necessary to deal with these unseen variations, one has to study how different conditions inside the rifle affect the motion of the projectile.
For those of you who want to keep this all organized, here is the basic outline of what this portion of the series will cover:
Advanced Internal Ballistics -- by TiborasaurusRex
I. Intro to Internal Ballistics
A. The sequence that occurs within the chamber and barrel
B. Opposing Forces -- 2 opposing forces act on a projectile within the bore.
II. Bore axis shifts
A. Harmonic / Vibratory Inconsistencies
1. Rifle System Rigidity 2. Poor Rifle Deployment
B. Muzzle Break Pull-Off
III. Muzzle Velocity Variation (MVV)
A. Bore/projectile Dynamics and MVV 1. Bore wear 2. Fowling 3. Coppering 4. Bore Temperature 5. Projectile Temperature 6. Barrel Memory B. Rifle manufacturing tolerances and MVV 1. Chamber dimensions
C. Ammunition Inconsistencies and MVV 1. Minimizing Ammunition Inconsistencies that increase MVV a) Factory Ammo b) Reloading
COMPONENT ISSUES
RELOADING EQUPIMENT
RELOADING BASICS & TIPS
D. Ammunition Temperature and MVV 1. Propellant Burn Rate Changes with Temperature 2. Causes of Ammo Temperature Changes 3. Dealing with Ammunition Temp Issues 4. Also, copper jacket lubricity changes with temp
All the music, animations, and photography in this video were created by TiborasaurusRex, and unsigned artist.
Song Title: Frozen Fate, Minefield
Music and Lyrics by: TiborasaurusRex
Instrumentation
In this introduction to advanced internal ballistics, Rex walks through the sequence of events that occurs within the chamber and barrel from when the cartridge is chambered till the bullet exits the muzzle. Rex explains how primers work and shows the differences between boxer and berdan primers. Rex shows how the pressure builds up in the chamber until the shot-start pressure is reached which begins the motion of the projectile down the bore. Rex shows the pressure curve builds as gas is continuously burned and how the curve is effected by the all-burnt-position. This video explains important concepts that will be important to understand as we get into more detail in the subject of internal ballistics.
All the music, animations, and photography in this video were created by TiborasaurusRex, and unsigned artist.
Song Title: Frozen Fate, Minefield
Music and Lyrics by: TiborasaurusRex
Instrumentation and Vocals by: TiborasaurusRex
Recorded by: TiborasaurusRex
Bore axis shifts can present a challenge to the long range shooter. One of the primary mechanisms for bore axis shifts are harmonic and vibratory inconsistencies due to problems with rifle system rigidity. Inconsistent whip action can occur when the movement of the projectile experiences frictional changes on its way down the bore due to various affects. Rifle rigidity dynamics also play an important role in ensuring the harmonic consistency of a vibrating rifle. In this video Rex addresses the issues related to barrel / stock contact points, stock warp, lockup of bolt lugs, chamber dimensions and headspace.
All the music, animations, and photography in this video were created by TiborasaurusRex, and unsigned artist.
Song Title: Wadi Watir
Music and Lyrics by: TiborasaurusRex
Instrumentation and Vocals by: TiborasaurusRex
Recorded by: TiborasaurusRex
The service life of your rifle bore can can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. One of these factors is the chemical erosion that embrittles the steel of your barrel and makes it much more vulnerable to erosion by thermal and mechanical erosion mechanisms. Understanding how these various bore erosion mechanisms interact is fundamental for the long range shooter to understand who has to be able to anticipate how these changes in internal ballistics will affect the departure of the bullet from his rifle bore. Also, understanding how these erosion mechanisms change the internal friction dynamics of the bore / projectile relationships will help us to develop a long range shooting bore maintenance regime that causes minimal changes to the frictional nature of the rifling so that shots at long range are not thrown off by unexpected changes in internal ballistics.
All the music, animations, and photography in this video were created by TiborasaurusRex, and unsigned artist.
Song Title: Wadi Watir
Music and Lyrics by: TiborasaurusRex
Instrumentation and Vocals by: TiborasaurusRex
Recorded by: TiborasaurusRex
In this video, Rex explains the thermal and mechanical processes of rifle bore erosion and how they can affect the axis of the bore at the time the bullet exits the muzzle. As bore erosion occurs, the frictional dynamics between the bullet and the projectile change which can significantly alter the harmonic signature of the rifle barrel changing the point of impact at long range. This is crucial information to understand before we get into establishing an effective cleaning regime for long range precision rifles. Be sure to study these videos on bore erosion as they will be very important as we move on.
All the music, animations, illustrations, still photography, and video photography in this video were created by TiborasaurusRex, and unsigned artist.
Song Titles: Wadi Watir, Magnetic Night
Music and Lyrics by: TiborasaurusRex
Instrumentation and Vocals by: TiborasaurusRex
Recorded by: TiborasaurusRex
Rex's 2:30am sleep deprived personal commentary on thermal and mechanical bore erosion is as follows: Yup, them old fire balls squirt in them there old barrels and wrecks'em after a while, that's for dang sure. One time, I shot at one of them metal deals and that bullet flew too high, and I was all like "what?" and then I realized that the barrel was in its break in phase and that I was hitting high due to increased MV due to micro-cracking in that gosh-dern rifle bore. So, I had to move ALL my ballistic data down by a full Mil just to correct for MV change due to bore erosion effects. Crazy, huh? Thought this wouldn't affect stuff enough to throw ya off did ya, you was wrong! I wonder how much stuff I could type in here before the video is done uploading. I have to baby this goofy thing until it uploads all the way, or it will all crash and you will have to go to a mine and dig a hole and get your own steel and make your own barrel so you can test it to see how the bore will erode over time for yourself. That's would suck wouldn't it.
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Do moly coated bullets harm your rifle bore? What about Chrome Lining? Rex answers these questions in this last video on rifle bore erosion. In order to understand the importance of establishing a consistant and effective bore cleaning regime, we will have to be well versed in these various processes that occur.
All the music, animations, illustrations, still photography, and video photography in this video were created by TiborasaurusRex, an unsigned artist.
Song Titles: Wadi Watir, Under the Ice
Music and Lyrics by: TiborasaurusRex
Instrumentation and Vocals by: TiborasaurusRex
Recorded by: TiborasaurusRex
Coppering and gunpowder fouling can accumulate in a rifle bore changing the friction dynamics between the bore and the bullet. Although excessive coppering can be a problem causing erratic performance, a certain amount of coppering can be helpful in maintaining a consistent bore environment. Overcleaning your long range precision rifle can disturb your coppering equilibrium.If you remove the copper from your bore while cleaning, you will have to start building back up to the equilibrium point from the beginning. This video explains how coppering and powder fouling build up to an equilibrium point so we ca establish an effective long range precision rifle cleaning regime.
All the music, animations, illustrations, still photography, and video photography in this video were created by TiborasaurusRex, an unsigned artist.
Song Titles: Wadi Watir, Minefield
Music and Lyrics by: TiborasaurusRex
Instrumentation and Vocals by: TiborasaurusRex
Recorded by: TiborasaurusRex
Cleaning your rifle correctly is very important if you wish to maitain the consistent bore conditions nessisary to make 1st round hit at long range. In this video, Rex introduces the 4 main points of what you will want to accomplish in this cleaning regime.
Extreme Long Range Precision Cleaning MAIN POINTS:
1. We want to keep the bore as consistent as possible.
2. We want the bore to be in a state of copper and powder fouling equilibrium, if possible.
3. We want to minimize bore erosion in order to increase barrel service life.
4. We want to avoid damage to our bore.
All the music, animations, illustrations, still photography, and video photography in this video were created by TiborasaurusRex, an unsigned artist.
Song Titles: Wadi Watir, Minefield
Music and Lyrics by: TiborasaurusRex
Instrumentation and Vocals by: TiborasaurusRex
Recorded by: TiborasaurusRex
In this video, Rex discusses the correct use of cleaning rods, brushes, and solvents for out long range precision rifle cleaning regime. Rex also briefly talks about the Hoppe's boresnake and the OTIS cleaning system, abrasive vs nonabrasive solvents, and the techniques that will be necessary to maintain coppering and fouling equilibrium in your rifle barrel.
All photography, music and video created by TiborasaurusRex
Music, lyrics and were written and recorded by TiborasaurusRex
Song title: Particle Jam, Wado Watir
How to break in your rifle barrel for long range shooting, explained.
A proper break-in is commonly reported to reduce a barrel's propensity to foul (and hence the need to clean frequently) over the life of the barrel.
Benchrest Shooter's barrel break in procedure:
This 1st procedure is the most effective for rifles on aggressive cleaning regimes where they are cleaned thoroughly after each shot cycle or field usage. In an aggressive cleaning regime full copper equilibrium is rarely attained, so break in procedures help to flatten the coppering build curve which minimizes bore condition variation immediately after a full aggressive cleaning.
Procedure (only for NEW barrels) - IF you anticipate having to employ an aggressive reaning regime.
Repeat steps 2-11 of this process for every shot for the first 30 rounds.
Then, shoot 5 - clean once - for the next 30 rounds.
...only use this procedure if you NEED to employ an aggressive cleaning regime due to particularly corrosive environments OR if if there are indications your particular bore needs it.
Procedure # 2
Cu Equilibrium Break In Procedure - Recomended for ELR Precision Shooters attempting to maintain Copper Equilibrium in their b
Long Range Precision Rifle Minimal Disturbance Cleaning Regime
'Clean as Needed' -- Basic Premises
a) Immediately after use in corrosive environments or exposure to water
b) After exposure to grit, dust or sand.
c) When rifle becomes excessively fouled with powder or copper (perform inspection) -- when accuracy begins to deteriorate or significant MVV is encountered
Round count between cleanings may vary dramatically based on use and environmental conditions.
- moisture
- blowing dust and grit
- general use of rifle, load dynamics and rate of fire
Cleaning STEPS:
*After cleaning, before using the rifle in the field again, 1 to 5 fouling shots should be taken before field deployment time to reestablish powder fouling equilibrium.
Copper Remediation of the rifle bore can be done if excessive copper fowling is experienced.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This procedure is to be done as needed AFTER the first 13 steps of the Long Range Precision Rifle Minimal Disturbance Cleaning Regime have been taken as shown in the preceeding video.
Be sure ALL the carbon fouling has already been cleaned form your bore and that all other solvents have been thoroughly removed.
Copper Remediation steps are as follows:
NOTE: You will have to reestablish copper equilibrium each time you remove copper if you did not use the full Benchrest Shooters Barrel Break-In Procedure. This typically takes anywhere from 20 to 60 rounds. You will know when you've achieved equilibrium when your group sizes shrink and your MVs stabilize.
Only clean copper out of your bore if necessary. The less you disturb the bore, the less MVV and POI shift you will experience. Minimal disturbance is ideal for our shooting discipline. Only clean when needed.
Sidenote: Many copper removing formulas use activated positively charged ions that have an affinity for copper and its oxides. When these solvents are soiled with copper fouling, they become even more positively charged with dissolved Copper and that attacks hardened copper in bore more aggressively than would clean solvents. SO using these solvents is advised if the bore is free of all other chemicals and powder fouling.
Semi Auto