Pellet Maximum Distance Question

[WN0912]

Just wondering. 

With a typical PCP 22 caliber rifle (mine is a Benjamin Maximus at about 800 fps I think), How far can the pellet (15.89 grain) travel at a maximum distance? For example, pointing up maybe 20 degrees into the air, how far will the pellet travel? (I would never do it recklessly, by the way).

Just a question.

 

[wolfie]

Hi 

Look at Chairgun or strelok, both free apps or used to be



safe shooting

 

[Luke51]

The maximum distance under most circumstances would be achieved at a 45 degree incline, not at 20 degrees. The maximum distance of a 22 cal pellet at a know speed would be affected by air resistance of pellet, air temperature, elevation or air density.

 

[dizzums]

im guessing if you shot over water trying to get it out as far as possible ... about 250 yards

 

[Guest]

Just wondering. 

With a typical PCP 22 caliber rifle (mine is a Benjamin Maximus at about 800 fps I think), How far can the pellet (15.89 grain) travel at a maximum distance? For example, pointing up maybe 20 degrees into the air, how far will the pellet travel? (I would never do it recklessly, by the way).

Just a question.

Maximum looks to be about 537 yards if launched at about 28 degrees.

According to Chairgun 800 fps

900 fps

Couple of interesting things. First the angle does not change when you increase power so 28 degrees. I would have expected a higher angle myself. Second we increase velocity by 1/8 or 12.5% but we increase range by only about 5%.

 

[ctshooter]

The maximum distance under most circumstances would be achieved at a 45 degree incline, not at 20 degrees. The maximum distance of a 22 cal pellet at a know speed would be affected by air resistance of pellet, air temperature, elevation or air density.

Sorry - this is not correct information. Do not assume that because 45 degrees is halfway to vertical it would give maximum distance. The max distance angle is actually around 25-30 degrees depending on the speed.

 

[FrankinFairfield]

Airgun pellet are hollow at the rear as a safety factor.

450 yards is about right, regardless of caliber.

if you shoot slugs….further….

 

[JungleShooter]

If you like to calculate things like maximum range when in the field, or just don't want to bother firing up your computer, or you want to run it on Linux, there is a new ballistic suite by George P Conway (UK + Spain).

It's free.

No adds.

No privacy intrusion.

Because the apps are product of a broken ankle, extreme corona lockdown measures in Spain (and the excessive boredom that resulted thereof).



So far there are 13 separate apps out, with the main app (MERO) uniting several.

The 13 apps include functions like PCP efficiency and fill calculator, truing, scope validation, optimal PBR, 3 methods of BC calculation and analysis, conversions, etc. And of course, maximum range.

Employs a host of different drag model for pellets, including an improved GA model and one for airgun slugs (both courtesy of professional ballistician Miles Morris / Balllisticboy [GTA and AGF]). He also offers a lot of the formulas he's been using.



Here's the link (Linux, Android, iOS, Window): https://GPC.fotosoft.co.uk/Home.html

Matthias

 

[SDellinger]

Try this.

 

[cworkman74]

The maximum distance under most circumstances would be achieved at a 45 degree incline, not at 20 degrees. The maximum distance of a 22 cal pellet at a know speed would be affected by air resistance of pellet, air temperature, elevation or air density.

Sorry - this is not correct information. Do not assume that because 45 degrees is halfway to vertical it would give maximum distance. The max distance angle is actually around 25-30 degrees depending on the speed.

His answer is correct if using any freshman level Physics text. However, this excludes air resistance. Without air resistance, max range is always at 45 deg no matter the projectile. Once you add air resistance, things get more complicated.

 

[bandg]

The maximum distance under most circumstances would be achieved at a 45 degree incline, not at 20 degrees. The maximum distance of a 22 cal pellet at a know speed would be affected by air resistance of pellet, air temperature, elevation or air density.

Sorry - this is not correct information. Do not assume that because 45 degrees is halfway to vertical it would give maximum distance. The max distance angle is actually around 25-30 degrees depending on the speed.

His answer is correct if using any freshman level Physics text. However, this excludes air resistance. Without air resistance, max range is always at 45 deg no matter the projectile. Once you add air resistance, things get more complicated.

So "under most circumstances" means his answer was incorrect, as ctshooter stated.

 

[cworkman74]

True, unless the shooter is on the moon. Of course, we'd need to use the moon's gravitational acceleration in the motion equations as well.

 

[Guest]

The maximum range of travel is a tricky question to answer. When a slug or pellet becomes unstable due to loss of velocity, air density, and spindrift, strange things start happening to the trajectory. These factors can't be calculated, which is why bullet companies rely on radar to track real-world data.

If you hit a person past a hundred yards or probably less, your not going to break the skin, but you will leave a nasty bruise.

 

[18.13]

The maximum range of travel is a tricky question to answer. When a slug or pellet becomes unstable due to loss of velocity, air density, and spindrift, strange things start happening to the trajectory. These factors can't be calculated, which is why bullet companies rely on radar to track real-world data.

If you hit a person past a hundred yards or probably less, your not going to break the skin, but you will leave a nasty bruise.

A 16gr pellet at 800 fps has 9 fpe left at a 100 yards 3 in. Of penetration and will kill 

 

[Guest]

18.13

I can only tell you it didn't. 

 

[JungleShooter]

Ouuch!!!

 

[Guest]

The maximum range of travel is a tricky question to answer. When a slug or pellet becomes unstable due to loss of velocity, air density, and spindrift, strange things start happening to the trajectory. These factors can't be calculated, which is why bullet companies rely on radar to track real-world data.

If you hit a person past a hundred yards or probably less, your not going to break the skin, but you will leave a nasty bruise.

I don't think that is reasonable. I don't know what the minimum energy to break the skin is with a pellet or a BB but even my lowly spring rifles are carrying two or three FPE at 150 yards and more like five or six (or more) at 100. Chairgun says my 14.4 fpe .20 is still carrying 2+ fpe and traveling at nearly 300 fps at 200 yards.... That's not a bruise it is a puncture wound unless it hits a good stout coat in winter. I think it is reasonable to say that most pellet rifles are dangerous to 300 meters at the least. That is for pellets, not for slugs. Slugs are a far more dangerous proposition than pellets. Most pellets will probably break a window at that distance or knock a ding in a vehicle, etc. Bottom line? Know where that thing is going to land.

 

[Vetmx]

The maximum range of travel is a tricky question to answer. When a slug or pellet becomes unstable due to loss of velocity, air density, and spindrift, strange things start happening to the trajectory. These factors can't be calculated, which is why bullet companies rely on radar to track real-world data.

If you hit a person past a hundred yards or probably less, your not going to break the skin, but you will leave a nasty bruise.

Glad I don’t live near you.

 

[JimNM]

The maximum distance under most circumstances would be achieved at a 45 degree incline, not at 20 degrees. The maximum distance of a 22 cal pellet at a know speed would be affected by air resistance of pellet, air temperature, elevation or air density.

Sorry - this is not correct information. Do not assume that because 45 degrees is halfway to vertical it would give maximum distance. The max distance angle is actually around 25-30 degrees depending on the speed.

His answer is correct if using any freshman level Physics text. However, this excludes air resistance. Without air resistance, max range is always at 45 deg no matter the projectile. Once you add air resistance, things get more complicated.

Nope. Not at all. The acceleration of Earth's gravity is 32 ft per second PER SECOND. 32ft*seconds*seconds.

4 the grade science, not college freshman calculus. Here is is from Google...

Near Earth's surface, gravitational acceleration is approximately 9.81 m/s2, which means that, ignoring the effects of air resistance, the speed of an object falling freely will increase by about 9.81 metres per second every second.

IIRC, 28 degrees a over horizontal is near optimal elevation for projectile travel.

 

[airgunmike56]

I been shot with a 177 pellet, if I remember right it was a 177 sliver jet (Beeman) with a Crosman 2100 with 10 pumps , 750 fps ? I was at 40 yards when I stepped, into target range . Got me in the left upper shoulder had a T poop on and it did not break the skin, Hurt like hell and left a bruise, Anyway that was 45 years ago.

Mike