Big Book of Ballistics

516 Pages·2017·61.66 MB·English

by  Philip P. Massaro

BIG
BOOK
OF
BALLISTICS
Philip P. Massaro
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DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to Tim Fallon, Doug Pritchard and the entire crew of
the FTW Ranch in Barksdale, Texas, who have been more than kind in both
word and deed, and who were instrumental in the development of this book.
Without the SAAM Shooting School, I would still be in the dark ages.
CONTENTS
SPECIAL OFFERS
INTRODUCTION
SECTION I: INTERIOR BALLISTICS
Chapter 1: Interior Ballistics Overview
Chapter 2: The Cartridge Case
Chapter 3: The Projectile
Chapter 4: The Ignition System
Chapter 5: The Barrel
SECTION II: EXTERIOR BALLISTICS
Chapter 6: Exterior Ballistics Explained
Chapter 7: Factors Affecting the Bullet in Flight
Chapter 8: Gravity
Chapter 9: Ballistic Coefficient
Chapter 10: Bullet Stability & Spin Drift
Chapter 11: Density Altitude
Chapter 12: Wind Deflection
SECTION III: TERMINAL BALLISTICS
Chapter 13: Terminal Ballistics Overview
Chapter 14: The History of Terminal Ballistics
Chapter 15: Sectional Density, Penetration & Retained Weight
Chapter 16: Kinetic Energy & Killing Power
SECTION IV: TOOLS & TIPS
Chapter 17: Tools for Better Ballistics
Chapter 18: Choosing a Cartridge
Chapter 19: Reading the Wind
FOREWORD
In a life and career solely dedicated to hunting and shooting, it has been my
pleasure to know most of the recognized experts and innovators in the industry.
Among these are some of my very best friends, people with whom I’ve forged
lifelong professional relationships. We share the same passion for the shooting
sports, run in the same crowds, and live similar lifestyles. We also enjoy a
mutual and burning passion for sending bullets down the barrel of a good rifle at
different targets, and for different purposes.
Among these men is Phil Massaro, head honcho of Massaro Ballistic
Laboratories, LLC and the brainpower behind the book you are holding. A
native of Upstate New York, (I forgave him for that long ago) Phil has been
quickly rising through the ranks of the long list of skilled American gun writers.
But it is Massaro’s knowledge of — and ability to explain — the confusing
science of ballistics, where he pulls away from the rest of the field. Whether
your target is flesh and bone, paper, or steel plate, the goal is to place your
bullet, regardless of distance, weather conditions, or wind precisely where you
want it to go. And regardless of your rifle, caliber, or ability to hold steady for
the shot, understanding ballistics, and all that term entails, is the key to accurate
shooting.
I make no claims to being a ballistics expert. In fact, I shy away from deep
conversations about the subject as to not highlight my ignorance. Oh, I can
usually drive my bullet to a target in the hunting fields of the world, but it is
practice, combined with an intimate knowledge of my personal rifles and my
own limitations that has filled my trophy room over the years.
But I like to shoot, and I like to learn, and Phil is a guy with which I greatly
enjoy doing both. Recently, at the beautiful FTW Ranch in central Texas,
enjoy doing both. Recently, at the beautiful FTW Ranch in central Texas,
Massaro and I joined our good friends Tim Fallon and Doug “Dog” Prichard for
a four-day training session at the now famous SAAM Precision Shooting School.
SAAM stands for Sportsman All-Weather, All-Terrain Marksmanship, and
there is no finer training ground for the serious hunter and shooter to be found.
Massaro and I were both officially on hand in the role of students under the
tutelage of Prichard, who is one of the finest shots and training experts this
country’s military has ever produced. Actually, while I really was a student,
Massaro could have run the course himself as a trainer, so thorough is his
understanding of both the science, and mechanics of accurate shooting. We
teamed up for the course and helped each other out with range and wind
estimates, target conformation, and calling hits and misses.
I left my ego at the ranch gate, and really dedicated myself to learning on this
trip. With both Prichard and Massaro overseeing my efforts in both the
classroom and on the ranges, I enjoyed the most enlightening four days in my
shooting career. Indeed, a better understanding of ballistics was the key to my
learning. And that is exactly what Big Book of Ballistics provides: a wealth of
easy to understand information on the world of accurate shooting.
Massaro writes like he talks, and his goal of providing understandable
information in real world terms hits the target. He skillfully unravels the science
of interior, exterior and terminal ballistics, and reveals methods for accurate
shooting which will make sense to both SEAL sniper, and serious big-game
hunter.
Between these covers you will learn about trajectory, wind deflection, interior
ballistics and barrel effects including twist rates, bullet profiles, sectional density
and bullet coefficient, terminal ballistics and modern improvements in
projectiles, spin drift and Coriolis effect, as well as improved gear for today’s
shooter. But far more importantly, you will understand what you read! That’s
where this book shines.
Massaro’s contributions to publications such as Gun Digest, American
Hunter, and GameTrails is a testament to the fact that he regularly puts his
knowledge to use in the game fields. In fact, this is a driving theme you will see
revealed as you turn the pages of this book — that understanding the principals
of ballistics is the most important step in becoming a successful and ethical
hunter.
I have seen Phil Massaro put a precise hole in the shoulder of a Cape buffalo,
and I have seen him center punch a 20-inch steel plate at 1,250 yards. Both shots
were sent with equal confidence from a man who makes a habit of practicing
what he preaches when it comes to shooting.
Some books are tilted toward serious teaching, while others are more
for entertainment. Big Book of Ballistics is a unique blend of the two, and
both purposes will have been fully served between the first page and the
last.
Bwana Massaro has preached, and I on bended knee have heard …
and learned.
– Dave Fulson, Safari Classics