APPLIED BALLISTICS WEZ AND CARTRIDGE SELECTION

Previously I published an article that looked at multiple cartridges and the ballistic data, cost of ammunition, as well as recoil of different bullet weights in a given cartridge. You can find that article here. What that article does not cover is important factors that center around probability. Looking at bullet drop and wind drift doesn’t paint the whole picture.

Applied Ballistics offers a tool that allows us to compare more factors. These factors include the ballistics of the bullet as well as shooter competency. Bryan Litz has written a great book that utilizes the WEZ (Weapon Employment Zone). I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to get into long range shooting or for those who want a better understanding of the multiple factors involved in long range shooting. You can order a copy directly from Applied Ballistics here.

If we look at normal ballistic tables we only see the corrections based of the data we input. What normal ballistic tables don’t account for is our personal ability as the shooter to input “good” data. If we are off in our wind call it will negatively impact our hit percentage and cause misses off the left or right side of the target .  If our ammo has a large standard deviation (SD) it will cause vertical dispersion that could lead to misses over or under the target. Finally the WEZ allows us to see how different bullets in different cartridges can effect hit probability. Bullets with higher BC’s can be more forgiving then those with lower BC values and have a higher hit percentage.

USING THE DATA FOR CARTRIDGE SELECTION

Using the same shooter competency level we can establish a consistent baseline for performance. From there we can compare common loads from popular cartridges. This will give us the data we need to help choose the appropriate cartridge for our application.

Today we will compare 3 short action cartridges that are popular in the shooting industry. We will cover more cartridges in follow on articles. The 3 cartridges are .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6mm Creedmoor.

SHOOTER COMPETENCY

In the Accuracy and Precision For Long Range Shooting Bryan Litz uses a defined set of of confidence levels. One of the more appealing parts of the WEZ tool is the ability to customize or change factors in the listed confidence set.  As to not confuse the data in this article we will use different shooter competency values that vary from the published confidence levels.  The following factors will be our constants:

1. Wind Estimation: Within 3 MPH
2. Range Estimation: Within 1 Meter (assuming a confirmed known distance range or a quality range finder)
3. Precision of the Rifle and Shooter: 1 MOA
4. Velocity SD: 20 FPS (Good Factory Match Ammo)

All other factors will be left at the system defaults.

THE AMMUNITION

Ammunition for all three cartridges will be factory ammo loaded by Hornady. Listed below is the information used:

1. 168 GR ELD Match 308 Winchester- 24″ Barrel producing 2700 FPS at the muzzle
2. 140 GR ELD Match 6.5 Creedmoor- 24″ barrel producing 2710 FPS at the muzzle
3. 108 GR 6mm Creedmoor- 24″ Barrel producing 2960 FPS at the muzzle

TRADITIONAL BALLISTIC TABLES

Below I have generated traditional ballistic tables. All data is run with a DA of 0 and a wind speed of 10 at 9 o’clock.

HIT PROBIBILITY

Using the same constant factors discussed above we will run two examples for each cartridge.

1. Example one will be a 2 MOA (10.47 inches) target at 500 yards.
2. Example two will be a 2 MOA (20.94 inches) target at 1000 yards.

500 yards

1000 yards

IN CLOSING

When looking for a good cartridge there are many things to consider, and hopefully this is something to add to that list. It is worth noting that the constants here can be changed with experience and improved ammunition.  If you go from calling wind down to 1 MPH you will have have an increased hit probability. The same will happen if you buy or load your own ammunition with an SD of 10 FPS instead of 20 FPS. There will also be an increased hit probability if the precision of the weapon system and shooter shrinks smaller then 1  MOA.

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Hawk Hill Custom: Bipod Replacement Feet

Have you ever looked for a better solution to the standard feet that come on your Harris bipod? I recently had the chance to shoot a rifle that had upgraded Hawk Hill bipod feet. I was immediately impressed with the fit, finish, quality, and most importantly the improved performance of the bipod.  You can find the product here.

So I ordered a set of Hawk Hill Bi pod replacement feet for my Harris bipod on Tuesday, January 2nd and within an hour I received a shipping notification Email. I will be honest I figured it must have just meant they had printed a label as it didn’t have a tracking number in the email. Fast forward to Thursday, January 4th the mail arrived and low an behold I had a package from Hawk Hill!!! Outstanding Customer Service right off the bat!

How it arrived and the install process

You get everything needed to install the feet.  Two spiked feet, two roll pins, a tall and short block and drive pins to remove the roll pins holding the Harris feet on.

The roll pins are a bit of a pain to remove like all roll pins. It is  simple enough with the drive blocks if you follow the instructions just make sure you have the blocks lined up right.

After installation and trip to the range I don’t think I will ever own a bipod without them.

The quality is great and the feet feel extremely sturdy. They also helps reduce the chance of the bipod sliding or slipping.  What really stands out to me and makes me want to try more of their product’s is the amazing customer service. I don’t think I have ever received something so fast without having to pay extra for expedited shipping! I would highly recommend the bipod feet and Hawk Hill as a company!!

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Why Should You Reload?

In long-range shooting we face a lot of unknown variables. The most effective shooters in our community can effectively take into account all of these ever-changing variables to get their rounds on target with accuracy and consistency. Between the wind, humidity, temperature, Density Altitude, and actual range to target we have a lot of information to account for. A common suggestion to those looking to get the most out of their rifle is to reload. The reason is really simple, and it isn’t to save you any money. It is to find the best possible choice for your specific rifle.

COMMERCIAL Match Grade AMMUNITION

When we look at commercial ammunition we are talking about a mass-produced batch. While some companies do a better job than others you are likely to find variations between lot to lot. If we look at the fundamentals of shooting as a comparison such variations in commercial ammunition can cause inconsistent results much like jerking the trigger. Commercial ammunition from the same company and lot are likely to use the same power and bullet combinations. Every rifle is different, and some might not agree or be getting the best combination of powder and bullet to maximize your rifles accuracy.

ES and SD

If you have ever looked around on the internet in regards to reloading ES and SD have probably come up.  So what are they are why are they so important?

ES stands for your extreme spread. It is the difference between your fastest and slowest chronograph round. The lower your ES is the more consistent your ammunition is.  The higher your ES is the more inconsistent the ammunition is. However a single round loaded improperly can throw this number as it samples your fastest and slowest moving rounds ONLY.

SD stands for standard deviation.  The standard deviation will tell us how consistent or alike your ammunition is. To explain this simply this will let you know how close your shots are to the average. Much like ES the lower your SD the more consistent your ammunition is shot to shot.  It is worth noting that the majority of experienced reloaders recommend shooting a minimum of 20 shots when calculating your SD.

One thing that all long-range shooters should invest in regardless of reloading is a chronograph that does all the math for you. Finding your average muzzle velocity and ES can easily be done on a standard calculator. SD is something that takes a little more math skills. We recently did a review on the MagnetoSpeed V3 and recommend it highly.

Load Development

There is no short cut in developing a load that will work best with your rifle. Asking online for other people’s data is not the right answer and can be down right dangerous. Do the work the right way and you will get better results. Period.

Powder and charge weight

There are a lot of powders out there. Some burn faster than others. When you reload you can control what powder you use and also how much powder you use. By finding a powder that your rifle likes best with a charge weight that gets the best accuracy (not velocity) you can find an improved load over commercial ammunition and get more accuracy from your rifle,

C.O.L.

Most commercial ammunition is loaded to a predetermined C.O.L. or cartridge overall length. By reloading your own ammunition you can adjust how close the bullet is to the lands of your barrel. Some bullets perform better at a different distance then others. This will help get even more accuracy out of your reloads per your specific rifles barrel and the bullet you are shooting.

Brass

when reloading you can choose the quality of your brass. Some manufactures are known to make better brass than others. The better the brass the more reloads you can get out of it. The better brass tends to have more consistent tolerances. The more consistent the tolerances are the more consistent your ammunition will be in the accuracy department.

Equipment

Reloading is as much as an investment as your rifle and gear. It pays to get quality equipment upfront. Quality match grade dies can allow you to accurately and consistently seat the bullet to the same depth. A quality powder measuring system will allow you to precisely measure powder for consistent results.  Even with the most consistent process in reloading the quality of the equipment used plays a huge part in your overall results.

Not all rifles will like the same ammunition, and one of the key things of reloading is consistency. It is not something that should be rushed. The more consistent process you have while reloading your own ammunition the more consistent your ammunition will be when it comes time to shoot it.

If you would like more information on reloading or getting started please feel free to reach out to us!

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RIFLES ONLY THE BUNGEE SLING

The rifle sling is an important and seemingly forgotten accessory in the long-range community. They are highly versatile tools that can fill many roles. When one looks for a rifle sling the options are almost endless. After hours of research I came across the Rifles Only Bungee Sling. It seemed to have a lot to offer. After talking to a few more experienced shooters it also came highly recommenced so I pulled the trigger.

Rifles Only is what I would consider an end-user company. They took years of research and testing as well as input from competition shooters, military and LEO snipers, and instructors in to account. The end result is an amazing sling that is very easy and effective to use.

Attachment System

The Rifles Only Sling caught my attention for the ability to easily use different attachments.  Some slings on the market make it hard to swap attachments. The Bungee Sling is designed to allow use of any attachments available. Instead of having to buy multiple slings set up to specific attachments you only need one sling and the attachments you intend to use. You can get the sling with no attachments, Heavy duty swivels(stud swivel), HK hooks, or flush cups(QD mounts). I ordered mine with flush cups as that is what I use on my rifle. Should that ever change all I need to do is order different attachments and swap them out with the flush cups. Easy and effective with no need to order a new sling with the appropriate attachments needed.

Cam-Buckle system

I ordered a Coyote Brown Rifles Only Bungee Sling. I was immediately impressed with the quality and construction of the product. It features 2 cam-buckles for quick and easy adjustments.

The first cam-buckle is located at the front (barrel) portion of the sling. As per the Rifles Only website this can be used to adjust the overall tension of the sling.

The rear cam-buckle allows you to adjust the length of the sling. Should you choose to sling up you can also use the rear cam-buckle to place the sling snugly around your bicep.

One of my favorite parts of the cam-buckle system is the fact that they use a different color, texture, and width fabric that is attached to the cam-buckles. This allows you to quickly and easily grab and pull the proper piece to adjust the sling without having to look and see what you are doing. If you need to release the cam-buckle you grab the smaller thinner black piece. To adjust the sling and tighten it, you grab the double reinforced fabric that is the same width and material as the sling itself. 

The bungee

The rear portion of the sling is a large bungee. It connects to the lower portion of the sling that contains the cam-buckles via a ITW GT Cobra Buckle. The cobra buckle is polymer in construction which saves weight and also aids with noise reduction over a metal buckle. It can carry a tensile load of up to 500 lbs. If you should ever need to break away from your rifle quickly all you need to do is pinch the buckle on the tabs and it drops free. This feature also helps when you need to sling up with the rifle and allows you to disengage the rear portion of the sling and only use what is needed.

The bungee itself provides quite a few benefits that are worth noting. When using the rifle sling in traditional 2-point sling fashion the bungee provides rear-ward tension. As you load into the rifle the bungee will pull the rifle back into your shoulder giving you extra support. This helps tremendously when making you need to take a quick shot from an unsupported position.  The second benefit of the bungee is that it reduces the felt weight of the rifle. If you are a hunter or a military sniper who travels long distance it will also help as you move across rough terrain.

Final Thoughts

I like the versatility of the sling. The guys and gals over at Rifles Only really put a lot of time and effort into the design. The cam-buckle system is simple and easy to use. It allows for rapid adjustments and small “micro” adjustments to help create a more stable position.

The ability to quickly break away from the sling via the ITW buckle is also a great feature. Should you ever need to get the rifle off you or do not require the sling any longer simply pinching the buckle drops the sling. This can save you a few seconds if you are shooting a stage that requires the sling for one position but would hinder you on the next. The bungee helps for both transporting the rifle on long days or over far distances and also helps make a more stable position by pulling the rifle into the shoulder.

Possibly the best part of the Rifles Only Bungee Sling is that it is a sum of its parts. If you need to take a quick shot the bungee and cam-buckles allow for a quick and easy hasty sling set up. Should you be doing dedicated position work you can set up into a very effective and adjustable loop sling.

For more information you can head over to Rifles Only website Here.

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West Texas Ordnance 7MM SAW

I recently posted an article on the 7MM SAW in comparison to the 6 and 6.5mm Creedmoor you can find that article here. My last article simply looked over the ballistic data and compared the 3 rounds. Shortly after the article went live I received a few questions from readers about the 7MM SAW and not knowing the answers I reached out to West Texas Ordnance to see if I could get more information about their round. Besides inventing the 7mm SAW West Texas Ordnance also makes the Switch Lug  which allows users to run a multi-caliber system.

Clayton of West Texas Ordnance

I talked to Clayton of West Texas Ordnance and got a more in-depth review of the round he developed. He also shared of his personal experience with it. Clayton entered the PRS shooting scene back in 2015. The rifle he was shooting at the time was a 7MM-08. While not the most popular round for practical precision it simply worked for him. So why make a new round? According to Clayton he developed the 7MM SAW “to gain an increase in performance over the 7mm08, without the additional headaches of an Ackley Improved Cartridge”

What additional headaches does the 7mm08ai bring to the table?

According to Clayton “Going to the 7mm-08AI would have given me increased performance over the 7mm-08, but would have required higher input costs due to fireforming, less usable barrel life for the same reason, as possibly less reliable feeding depending on the type of magazine used. ”

What does the 7mm Saw bring to the table?

“The SAW gave me a performance boost of around 100FPS with no discernible loss of barrel life vs the 7mm-08, and equivalent amount of powder(and therefore loading cost), and feeds flawlessly through even the double stack AI A/W magazine.”

Where does the 7Mm saw fit when compared to 7mm-08 and 7mm-08ai

When asked how the 7mm SAW fits Clayton gave me the following ranking. The ranking runs from fastest achievable velocities to slowest:

1.  The 7mm-08AI
2. The 7mm SAW
3. The 7mm-08

Advantages of the 7mm saw

I asked Clayton what he thought the advantages of the 7mm SAW were.

“There are five benefits I’ve experienced in the cartridge, as follows:

1: Versatility. Because of a wide range of bullet weights available(140-180grs all with respectable BC’s for match shooting), a shooter has more options to tailor a load for a particular match. For example, one might be shooting a rocky mountain or Oklahoma match with higher winds and longer distances but less positional shooting, and for that you could opt to run something like the 180 Berger Hybrid or 180 Hornady ELD-M. At 2700FPS or better, those large 7mm’s have a noticeable advantage over the 6mm’s and most 6.5mm’s at extended distances. But let’s say your next match is a Southeast match, where wind and range are less of a factor, but there will be more positional shooting. For that, load up a 140 Berger VLD or 150 Hornady ELD-X at 3000FPS or more. For a shooter who wants to shoot in different regions but can only afford one rifle, that versatility can be a real asset.

2. Longer barrel life. To date, my 7mm SAW barrel’s wear pattern has tracked exactly along the same lines as my 7mm08, so it’s pretty feasible to assume a usable barrel life of at least 3500 rounds. I am at 1800 rounds on my current barrel and leaving for a 2 day PRS match next week; something I would not have considered doing with a 6XC or 6mm Creedmoor loaded at full power. While barrel life isn’t my top reason for picking a cartridge, it is certainly a bonus.

3. Enhanced wind resistance. The 7mm bullets from 162 grains and up have a noticeable B.C. advantage over the majority of 6mm and 6.5mm match projectiles, and while the 6mm’s tend to make up for lower B.C.’s with increased speed, in my experience the 7mm’s tend to “bully” the wind better at distances beyond 600 yards. By that I mean it seems that they are more forgiving in inconsistent winds. This may be a perceived rather than a measurable advantage, but it certainly does feel like my shot placement is less bothered by a slightly misread wind call when I’m running my 7mm SAW than when I shot a 6mm.

4. More energy on target. This is probably a less important factor now that PRS has mandated hit indicator systems on all target beyond 800 yards, but nonetheless it is still an advantage for both the shooter trying to call his or her own shots and the RO/spotters as well. I have frequently seen shooters and spotters straining to confirm an impact from a 6mm rifle on a heavy or long targets, especially on days with high mirage or low visibility. With the 7mm bullets, targets get hit with authority! There is no doubt when a target is struck, as the sound and movement signature is much enhanced.

5. Lower component cost. Again, this one is not a deal breaker either direction, but it’s worth noting. A quick internet search will reveal that Lapua .308 Winchester Palma brass, which the 7mm SAW was designed around, is typically $18-$30 cheaper per 100 pieces than equivalent quality brass for the other popular competition cartridges. The exception to the rule is 6mm BR Lapua brass, but by the time the cost of fireforming to 6 Dasher is factored in it becomes more expensive as well. The 7mm SAW takes advantage of one of the most affordable sources of high quality brass as its starting point.”

What about disadvantages?

Clayton had only one disadvantage for the 7mm SAW.

“Regarding disadvantages, the only major downside I see is higher recoil versus most of the 6mm’s. I personally don’t notice a difference between the felt recoil of my 7mm SAW with 150’s or 162’s and an equivalent weight rifle in 6.5mm Creedmoor or .260 Remington shooting 140’s. However, if your matches are primarily positional or short-range, something like a 6 Dasher or 6×47 Lapua would be a better choice. Once the weight of your rifle exceeds 15lbs or if you are using an effective brake, that disadvantage is minimized.”

When are the reloading dies going to hit the market and what will they offer?

West Texas Ordnance offers 2 reloading dies for the 7mm SAW and they are already available! WTO offers two custom die sets

1. Redding Custom Premium set. Including a full length sizer die with carbide expander ball assembly and a seater die with micrometer seating stem. Clayton also told me he personally uses the Redding dies when reloading 7mm SAW for his personal rifle. Price: $240
2. Whidden custom die set. Type S style bushing sizer with Whidden Micrometer seater Die. Price: $275

Will it gain popularity?

I personally like the idea of the 7mm SAW. Plenty of PRS shooters compete in the tactical division and are shooting .308’s. While low recoil is preferred by some having similar recoil to a .308 and much better ballistics does have advantages. Extended barrel life while not important to many is still a benefit. If you are looking for a multi-use rifle the 7mm SAW might be an option for you. The multiple weights and types of bullets available make for almost endless options.  Please tell us what you think in the comments below!

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