• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Trajectory Matching?

WindstormSCR

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 28, 2021
678
566
Maryland
Does anyone have a suggestion of how to go about creating an approximate trajectory match between two different projectiles, without a rather hideous amount of trial and error? I know it is possible (military tracers) and I also know it won't completely remove the need for physical experimentation, but I'm hoping to find a procedure that will at least get something relatively close.

I did quite a bit of searching, but I couldn't find anything on the Hide or much useful elsewhere, and given the wealth of experience of the members here this seemed the best place to ask.

I do have access to quickload and quicktarget, which I have been attempting to use to figure something out, but so far have not met with much success.

the projectiles in question are the Lehigh 144gr Flash Tip .308 solids, and regular old M2 Ball, 30-06 chambering. The reasoning behind the attempt is for use in instructing shooters newer to shooting longer ranges, and while proper tracers are not legal where I am, the flash tip projectiles are. Barrel is a 20" 1:12 twist 5R bolt action.
 
Not sure what you’re looking for here.

Give and example of what you’re trying to show new shooters.
 
Not sure what you’re looking for here.

Give and example of what you’re trying to show new shooters.
Impact visibility on steel targets at distance. one of the most helpful things that was taught to me when I first started was learning the ability to call your shots, and learning when you were the factor instead of the rifle or conditions. There are a number of factors about this particular facility that make using paper targets challenging, so the goal here is to keep the trajectory between 300-500 yards the same between M2 ball projectiles and the flash tips. Flash tips for the steel targets and an easier time determining exact hit location, then M2 for the paper targets when feasible.

It's also an interesting academic exercise if nothing else, since I will admit to also being curious how the process is done for actual tracer ammo
 
I would have thought a decent app (I have used Hornady & Strelok Pro with great results) would be your friend.

Plug in your numbers and generate the data then run whatever comparisons you wish.
 
Impact visibility on steel targets at distance. one of the most helpful things that was taught to me when I first started was learning the ability to call your shots, and learning when you were the factor instead of the rifle or conditions. There are a number of factors about this particular facility that make using paper targets challenging, so the goal here is to keep the trajectory between 300-500 yards the same between M2 ball projectiles and the flash tips. Flash tips for the steel targets and an easier time determining exact hit location, then M2 for the paper targets when feasible.

It's also an interesting academic exercise if nothing else, since I will admit to also being curious how the process is done for actual tracer ammo

This isn’t anything that painted steel won’t show you.
 
This isn’t anything that painted steel won’t show you.
Agreed. Basically the problem I have is this particular range uses fixed steel targets used by all shooters, as the longer distance range is over some swamp/marsh territory. Some days it’s possible to get out there and paint or set paper, other days (and more common) is just to use the steel with most of the paint stripped by use. It’s a fairly unique situation, but there isn’t another range of the same distance within any reasonable driving area