GREENHILL, STABILITY, TWIST AND 227-80 IMPROVED

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  • Last Post 14 June 2016
joeb33050 posted this 23 May 2016

I tried 227-80, a .917” long bullet, in a Striker with measured carefully 12” twist barrel. It didn't stabilize, wouldn't stay on the paper at 100 yards.

OU812 wrote, here, of an improved NOE 227-80, .82” long without gas check, that stabilized in a 12” twist barrel.

I FILED 227-80 BULLETS TO .82” LONG, FIRED THEM IN THE STRIKER, WITH 6/TITEGROUP AND THEY WENT THROUGH THE PAPER AT 50 YARDS, SIDEWAYS.

OU812 SENT me some gas checked and lubed bullets that are .89” long and weigh 76.5 grains.

The Greenhill Formula (my weight est) says: A .224” DIA. BULLET .89” LONG MINIMUM TWIST IS 8.5”, EST. BULLET WEIGHT IS 82.3 GR. A .224” DIA. BULLET AND 12” TWIST BARREL WILL STABILIZE A BULLET .627” LONG, EST BULLET WEIGHT IS 58 GR. Today I shot 5 into .75” at 50 yards, there is no visible tipping.

This bullet shouldn't be anything like stable, based on the constant of 150 and assuming s.g. is something like 10.9. Note that the Greenhill cite, I'll put it up, says that the constant of 150 can be replaced with 200, and the bullet is stable. (bottom of first page.) The Greenhill formula with constant of 195, .224” and .89” as above, has a minimum twist of 11” per revolution. Greenhill remains correct.   

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joeb33050 posted this 23 May 2016

The/AS Greenhill cite.

joeb33050 posted this 24 May 2016

We know that wind drift increases as BC = ballistic coefficient, falls; so, wanting less wind drift, we've understood that  we want to increase BC.

BC is determined by bullet length, among other things. (Same shaped bullets, regardless of caliber, have the same BC when the length is the same. Same shaped 22 cal 1” long bullets have the same BC as 30 cal 1” long bullets.)

We know that faster twist is required to stabilize longer bullets, from experience and Greenhill, Miller, Dell and Powley. We also have some evidence and opinion suggesting that slower twist, approaching the stability threshold, is more accurate.

We thought that the Greenhill 150 constant described the twist required, but with John's design of the NOE 227-80, things changed. We now know  THAT, (not WHY), a 75 grain version of the 227-80 is stable at lower = 7/Titegroup in 22-250, velocities.

This opens up a whole new approach to CB accuracy. Long pointy bullets at slower-than-expected twist with high BCs and less wind drift.

Or maybe a 1.2” long 110 grain 22 bullet in a 9” twist barrel?

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John Alexander posted this 24 May 2016

What do the other methods of computing required twist for stability say about a .89” 22 bullet in a 12” twist? John

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joeb33050 posted this 24 May 2016

John Alexander wrote: What do the other methods of computing required twist for stability say about a .89” 22 bullet in a 12” twist? JohnHello John; T he attached excel workbook shows Greenhill, Dell, Miller and Powley twist rates, Miller at 3 values of gyroscopic stability and Powley at 3 values of Stability Factor. Interpolation works pretty well here. This ain't an easy workbook, it's going to take a few minutes to understand. I'm at 352-775-3449. (I have individual workbooks for Miller, Greenhill, Dell and Powley also.)

Since we don't know MV, let's look at a .224” dia bullet .89” long at 1500 fps.

Greenhill says twist = 8.5" Dell says 7.6" With Powley SF = 1.3, twist = 8.2" With S sub g of 1.3, Miller twist = 9.7" If the bullet is marginally stable at 12” twist, the Greenhill constant is  .213

If you look at the table at the right, that bullet is not stable at any reasonable velocity.

I'm reloading now to test these and my 227-80 bullets at 100 yards, will shoot tomorrow AM.

joe b.

OU812 posted this 24 May 2016

Joe, I believe closing the gap between gas check and first drive band is what made this bullet shoot lots better. Most all cast bullets can benefit by closing this gap. I remember Veral Smith asking me how long I wanted the gas check shank to be on one of his custom molds...I opted for longer (more lube) but I wish I chose shorter.

Greenhill and other software is mainly for jacketed bullets. Cast bullets are a different animal.

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rmrix posted this 25 May 2016

joeb33050 wrote: This opens up a whole new approach to CB accuracy. Long pointy bullets at slower-than-expected twist with high BCs and less wind drift. Short range indoors, sounds good.

If the game is shot outdoors, under what ever the days conditions are and the range is on the long side..... I would enjoy shooting against those loads.

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joeb33050 posted this 25 May 2016

22-250, 100 yards, 7/Titegroup. "A” is my 227-80, ~.917” long, 77.7 gr, GC, Unsized, LLA "B” is OU812's 227-80Modified, .89” long, 77.5 gr., LBT Blue "C” is gpidaho's 227-80, .917” long, 77.6 gr., Unsized, LLA "D” is my 227-80, filed nose to .885” long, 77.5 gr.

Only OU812's bullet stabilized.

I don't know what's going on, or why. Note that the U812 bullet OAL is 2.655", the others were seate to 2.540” (unfiled) to go in the rifle.

It appears that OU812's shortening of the base end by ~.027” makes the bullet stabilize. ?????????????

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OU812 posted this 25 May 2016

Joe, More experimenting will improve grouping. Have you tried a bipod to test with...it will take away a lot of the human error.

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joeb33050 posted this 25 May 2016

OU812 wrote: Joe, More experimenting will improve grouping. Have you tried a bipod to test with...it will take away a lot of the human error.It isn't about accuracy, it's about stability right now. I've never shot from a bipod, too late for me now. Thanks; joe b.

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OU812 posted this 25 May 2016

joeb33050 wrote: it isn't about accuracy, it's about stability right now. I've never shot from a bipod, too late for me now. Thanks; joe b.

Who cares about stability if the bullet will not shoot. I promised the bullet will shoot under 1 inch...even using sloppy loading techniques. 

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joeb33050 posted this 25 May 2016

OU812 wrote: joeb33050 wrote: it isn't about accuracy, it's about stability right now. I've never shot from a bipod, too late for me now. Thanks; joe b.

Who cares about stability if the bullet will not shoot. I promised the bullet will shoot under 1 inch...even using sloppy loading techniques.  I do. You should. The wizards are strangely silent. They care too.

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gpidaho posted this 26 May 2016

So Joe, only two of mine even hit paper? Guess no need to offer to send ya more. lol Hope it was just that long bullet in the slow twist and not a total reflection on my casting ability. Thanks for the report. Gp

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joeb33050 posted this 26 May 2016

gpidaho wrote: So Joe, only two of mine even hit paper? Guess no need to offer to send ya more. lol Hope it was just that long bullet in the slow twist and not a total reflection on my casting ability. Thanks for the report. GpAgain, it's about stability. Mine and yours are going through the paper sideways. Also, I've shot almost 500 22 shots with aluminum gas checks, and accuracy is very poor.  Others say aluminum checks shoot fine.

Everything we know tells us that a .89” long 77.5 gr .224 bullet won't stabilize, other bullets very close DON'T stabilize, OU812's DO stabilize. Is it the LBT blue?

Was gebst?

Do you have any chronographed velocities with the 227-80 and Titegroup, IMR4227, or Blue Dot?

Thanks; joe b.

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gpidaho posted this 26 May 2016

Joe: I'd be happy to put a couple of chronograph strings together for you using the 227-80s. I have Titegroup and Blue Dot on hand and the IMR 4227 is available at local shops. (shot mine up in my 41mag) Send me a range of charges you'll be using and I'll send them over the screens for you. This will get me away from toying with the Blackout and back to the 22s again. Enjoy the day. Gp

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OU812 posted this 26 May 2016

Joe,

I plan on chronographing this bullet using a few different powders (bullseye, titegroup, bluedot, AO, 5744). Been holding off until I receive my new Leupold 45 power target scope. I received scope today along with new Burris 30mm Signature rings. This scope was a big investment and would not have been possible without large 2015 tax return.

I will send you more bullets to test soon (next Monday)

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OU812 posted this 26 May 2016

joeb33050 wrote: Everything we know tells us that a .89” long 77.5 gr .224 bullet won't stabilize, other bullets very close DON'T stabilize, OU812's DO stabilize. Is it the LBT blue?

I tried the longer original 80 grain bullet using LBT lube and it “would not stabilize", so it is not the lube. I also tried this longer bullet using HI-TEK coating and bullet would not stabilize in the same 1-12 twist barrel.

Again...bullet shot well after I trimmed .035 off gas check shank

...

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joeb33050 posted this 27 May 2016

gpidaho wrote: Joe: I'd be happy to put a couple of chronograph strings together for you using the 227-80s. I have Titegroup and Blue Dot on hand and the IMR 4227 is available at local shops. (shot mine up in my 41mag) Send me a range of charges you'll be using and I'll send them over the screens for you. This will get me away from toying with the Blackout and back to the 22s again. Enjoy the day. Gp GP; I'm interested in 22-250, 227-80,

Blue Dot 5.5, 6.5, 7.5 gr. Titegroup 5.5, 6.5, 7.5 gr. IMR4227 9, 10, 11, 12 gr.

Thanks; joe b.

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joeb33050 posted this 27 May 2016

gpidaho wrote: Joe: I'd be happy to put a couple of chronograph strings together for you using the 227-80s. I have Titegroup and Blue Dot on hand and the IMR 4227 is available at local shops. (shot mine up in my 41mag) Send me a range of charges you'll be using and I'll send them over the screens for you. This will get me away from toying with the Blackout and back to the 22s again. Enjoy the day. GpIf you have a 12” twist 22-250, and if ob812 sent you 8-10 of his bullets, and if you loaded them over 7/Titegroup and shot them, we'd know if they stabilized in your/another  12” twist barrel.

joe b.

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gpidaho posted this 27 May 2016

Joe: It would be my pleasure to help out in anyway I can in your 22cal. quest. I measured (three times) my Savage 112 (26” heavy barrel) this morning and sadly it seems to have a 14” twist. While this might be a good thing with the 55gr or smaller bullets it will be of no help with the long 80s. I'll put together some loads to chronograph anyway as this will give you another reference point. I'm going to keep working on the 227-80s in my 223s. I have 8", 9” and 12 inch twists to work with there. I've enjoyed watching this thread and what you and OUB12 are doing with this extra long bullet. Gp

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 27 May 2016

although it would still be of interest if the modified 80 gr bullets would stabilize in a 12 ( or 14 !!! ) twist ....even in a lowly 223 ....

besides ....it still appears that john a. has the only accurate cast bullet 223 rig in the world ....;. let us lower the bar to 2 moa groups ... anyone... ??

ken

speaking of 223 cartridges, has anyine achieved 1.5 moa ... or 2 moa.... from a 300 blackout cast rifle ?? this is getting kinda spooky ...

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mtngun posted this 28 May 2016

OU812 wrote: Been holding off until I receive my new Leupold 45 power target scope. I received scope today You lucky dog!   :fire  Let us know how you like the Leupold.

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mtngun posted this 28 May 2016

Joe, thanks as always for posting REAL SHOOTING DATA.  :dude:

It's late at night as I type so I don't have time to go into detail but: -- forget Greenhill -- embrace Miller -- Miller merely requires an SF > 1.0 to stabilize, not 1.3. -- most simple Miller calculators treat all .89” long, 76.5gr, 22cf bullets the same, but in reality they are not all the same.   Shortening a bullet by filing off the pointy tip changes the stability less than shortening the same bullet by filing off some of the check shank.    -- In another thread, Paul Pollard mentioned that the JBM calculator could distinguish between the stability of a pointy bullet vs. the stability of a flat point bullet, if I understood Paul correctly.

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joeb33050 posted this 28 May 2016

Ken Campbell Iowa wrote: although it would still be of interest if the modified 80 gr bullets would stabilize in a 12 ( or 14 !!! ) twist ....even in a lowly 223 ....

besides ....it still appears that john a. has the only accurate cast bullet 223 rig in the world ....;. let us lower the bar to 2 moa groups ... anyone... ??

YESTERDAY, 22-250, STRIKER PISTOL, 225646M, 7/TITEGROUP, 100 YARDS, 10 FIVE SHOT GROUPS AVERAGED 1.613". I believe that I can now reliably shoot the pistol under 2” groups and the/a rifle around 1.5” groups. It seems that Savage 223 barrels won't shoot cast bullets accurately. It seems that Savage 22-250 barrels-with 1 exception-WILL shoot cast bullets accurately. With second hand 22” light sporter barrels, I'm happy with ~ 1.5” 5 shot averages. Soon we'll know if a 223 9” twist Savage barrel rechambered to 22-250  will shoot cast bullets accurately.

ken

speaking of 223 cartridges, has anyine achieved 1.5 moa ... or 2 moa.... from a 300 blackout cast rifle ?? this is getting kinda spooky ...

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frnkeore posted this 28 May 2016

I've posted this twist calulator before. If you study it's results, it will explain some things about why things happen to the stability of bullets.

The Miller formula does not solve for thr CG (meplat/nose shape & length)of the bullet, this one does and also shows what happens when the bullet is shot in the subsonic range. It's the only one, that I know of, that does that.

If you work with it, you'll find that long spitzer noses, require less twist. Not a huge amount but, it shows the trend.

http://www.geoffrey-kolbe.com/barreltwist.htm

Frank

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mtngun posted this 29 May 2016

Thanks for the link, Frank.  :)

The Geoffrey-Kolbe stability calculator appears to be based on Robert McCoy's “McGyro” program, as is the JBM stability calculator.  After trying both, I prefer the G-K calculator simply because the input page is more user-friendly.

But when I tried plugging OU812's bullet into either JBM's or G-K's calculator -- and merely guessing at some of the dimensions -- they said it was unstable.  

Miller came up with his formula in an attempt to be more accurate than Greenhill while at the same time being much easier to calculate than McCoy.  http://www.jbmballistics.com/ballistics/bibliography/articles/miller_stability_1.pdf>Technical explanation here.   

Miller's formula in effect assumes an “average” bullet form.    That's fine as long as you are shooting a “average” bullet.   OU812's bullet has a sharper-than-average point.    That sharp point adds significantly to the length but adds little to the mass or to the moment of inertia.   Perhaps that throws off the calculations?

Bottom line:  theoretical models are not perfect.    If your gun likes the bullet, that's all that matters .... until the weather changes.  :D

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gpidaho posted this 29 May 2016

Hello Joe, tried to send this in a PM but couldn't get it sent. Said it didn't recognize user name. I would think you would be recognized here. lol Anyway, I haven't forgotten our project. I have the Blue Dot and TiteGroup loads ready for next range trip and though the local gun store was out of IMR4227 a shooting friend is bringing me a pound mid-week and we'll be good to go. Remembering those that served today. Gp

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joeb33050 posted this 04 June 2016

The 227-80 Improved did NOT stabilize at 100 yards with 7/Titegroup; in the Striker pistol. 5 shot, none hit the paper. I have no idea why.

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OU812 posted this 04 June 2016

Poor ethics and marksmanship maybe?

You are shooting a 22-250 correct? Try 8.5 grains of Titegroup. If that does not work throw away that ugly Savage and buy a Remington.

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joeb33050 posted this 12 June 2016

As previously reported in these pages, the 227-80 Improved stabilizes in my 22-250 barrels with 12” twist. With only a few sample bullets to try, the bullet did NOT stabilize in the Savage Striker 22-250. The Striker has a 14” long barrel, and measuring twist is a problem-at least for me. I asked if anyone KNEW the Striker twist, and, as usual, got a buncha opinions. One man sent a page from his Savage manual. The 22-250 Striker twist seems to be 14". This explains why the 227-80 Improved doesn't stabilize. It MAY give a hint about the very nice accuracy of the Striker with cast bullets. Maybe twist is more important than we thought, in accuracy. Slower twist = smaller groups? 223 Rem 9” twist = big cb groups? Gpidaho chronographed some loads, the 7/Titegroup = ~ 1600 fps.

joe b.

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OU812 posted this 12 June 2016

That's a nice looking pistol. Writing is too small to read, are they single shot pistols?

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Hamish posted this 13 June 2016

OU812 wrote: Poor ethics and marksmanship maybe?

You are shooting a 22-250 correct? Try 8.5 grains of Titegroup. If that does not work throw away that ugly Savage and buy a Remington. From the OP:  "OU812 wrote, here, of an improved NOE 227-80, .82” long without gas check, that stabilized in a 12” twist barrel." It would seem you've pretty well proven that your barrel is a 14", ( which should alleviate a little of your frustration to start with.) and now you know for a certainty that your bullet will need a little bit harder kick in the behind.  Will be interesting to see f you can get it to speed before the need for a GC. asserts itself.

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45 2.1 posted this 14 June 2016

Ken Campbell Iowa wrote: besides ....it still appears that john a. has the only accurate cast bullet 223 rig in the world ....;. let us lower the bar to 2 moa groups ... anyone... ??

ken

speaking of 223 cartridges, has anyone achieved 1.5 moa ... or 2 moa.... from a 300 blackout cast rifle ?? this is getting kinda spooky ...

There are a lot of quite accurate 223 and other twenty two caliber rifles out there. They can shoot the same quality groups as other calibers do. The whole thing is “WHAT YOU FEED THEM".

As far as the 300 Blackout, I've seen two (the only ones in my experience) who reliably shoot 1 to 1.5 MOA groups with cast in semi autos....... some of which are ten shot ones. Again, it depends on what you feed them.

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