Thread: Lower than expected velocities

Originally Posted by No.3

I know - that speed figure of about 300fps is working backwards off the range drops for the trajectory to get to a muzzle velocity that makes the pill (with it's BC) match the rainbow. There's a lot of doubt and I need to get back to the range to confirm a few things up - although I very much suspect that the issue here is the ammo is not even close to the claimed velocity figure that Winchester has slapped onto their box. I am halfway wondering if they've used a 26" test barrel, which could be good for a bit more than 150fps over the 20" and then allowing for difference factor between barrels which could be 100fps - that may explain what's going on for me.

Greetings No 3.
Trying to guess velocity based on range drops is a pretty rough method. Just chronograph the load and you will know the velocity assuming a half decent chronograph. The BC for a projectile is not carved in stone and varies with conditions and even from shot to shot. Most data these days is for 24 inch barrels and I think that your actual velocity is higher than you think.
Regards Grandpaneil.