Fieldcraft What are your techniques for building dope?

[ReaperDriver]

Sorry if this has been asked before (I searched, no luck) but how do you guys - especially the professional shooters - build dope for your rifle? IOW, What is the process you go through to build your dope book?

I just spent the last couple weeks doing laborious load deveopment for my .308 (ugh!) and I think I finally found my 168 and 175 loads. The plan is to use the 168s for <600yds and the 175s for >500 yds. They are all chronographed and recorded in a log. Now, I want to load up a bunch of each and figure out my no-shit mil adjustments compared to what the ballistic program says. Ultimate plan is to get good dope out to 1K.

So how do you guys go about that process? What range increments do you shoot at? How many rounds per string? How many Strings at each range? Do you shoot at steel or paper? Are you most interested in drop? Or are you trying to dope out the wind too?

Thanks. I'm trying to do the right thing without wasting a lot of time flailing. I'm a big fan of not re-inventing the wheel if someone has a good method already.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: What are your techniques for building dope?

i typically put my data into something like JBM ballistics, which gets me close, then i fine tune it. Shoot 2 five shot groups after i get on target and then record that, come home put it into excel and print it out and tape it on the gun. I hold over for wind

 

[rrflyer]

Re: What are your techniques for building dope?

what deadly does.

Plus keep a tally over time in your book.

2 types of bullets is gonna make things complicated.

Why not just shoot the 175's and call it good?

Makes loading and carrying ammmo much much easier.

 

[:X2:]

Re: What are your techniques for building dope?

I just run DTAC Cards, then Im good for all atmospheric conditions.

 

[popeye089]

Re: What are your techniques for building dope?

In order to effectively gather DOPE (Data On Previous Engagements) you shoot at multiple distances under different conditions. You record your ammo lot number, temperature, light conditions along with the direction of light, wind speed and direction,in a notes column record misc bullets how you felt that day (were you sick, were you overly hot, sweating, dehydrated, hungry, anything you can think of) Again I repeat "Always reshoot these same distances under different conditions, not just enviromental but personal conditions" the reason why is because you may not always be able to rezero your rifle for the weather conditions in battlefield conditions, you must know not only how your round and rifle react under these conditions but how your body and mind respond so that you may better prepare yourself for the conditions that you must operate in. Also after you get good dope and you know where your round is hitting practice, practice practice alternate firing positions. Any sniper worth his weight will tell you , real world experience most shots are not shot in the prone supportive position. You must practice your alternate firing positions and know your limitations with each. Why take a shot and know your going to miss and compromise your position. The rule of sniping is always patience, weight for it and deliver, accomplish your primary mission of delivering long range precision fire on key targets and targets of opportunity. Always remember anyone can pull a trigger but can you achieve a one shot one kill under any and all circumstances? In order to do that you must know your equipment and your most important piece is your mind & the knowledge it stores