Re: why the 155gr. scenar for .308
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TiroFijo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">squarenut, if you use the Miller formula you will see that gyroscopic stability changes VERY little with +/- 100 fps...
http://accurateshooter.net/Blog/millerformula.xls </div></div>
I agree Tiro. Your point is well-taken.
What this exercise tells me is that, when I shoot the 155 Scenar out of my gun, I need to stay south of 2900 fps (using standard atmospheric settings) to effectively stabilize the bullet and achieve accurate results. North of 2900 fps begins to affect my ability to stabilize the bullet, as well as my accuracy.
To your point, for the 208 Amax (which is what I shoot the most), I cannot physically make a bullet that would have a muzzle velocity that will push the gyroscopic stability number north of 2.0. I hit 1.40 at about 1950 fps and inputting wildly exaggerated muzzle velocities in the formula still doesn't push the gyroscopic stability number anywhere near 2.0.
So... I am comfortable knowing that, at the muzzle velocity of my current load (2625 fps), the 208 Amax is rotating and stabilizing as it should. Any variation in my results is most likely due to poor shooting technique. I will ladder test a 155 Scenar load within the next week or so. If I get a good node (or 2) and the chronograph readings are south of 2900 fps, I will be comfortable with that as well.
The more I read and learn and experience for myself, the more fascinated I am by the science of what happens once you pull the trigger.