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OpenRocket – now we’re talkin’

For something a little bit different here is a link to the OpenRocket source download. It’s a Java based program. Don’t expect exact ballistics software but you cna construct your own designs and use the Component Analysis function to see how changes affect the drag etc.

Example I've done using OpenRocket
Example I’ve done using OpenRocket

Nose Cone Design or Projectile Ogive Design

So here is a link to download the original MS Excel spreadsheet for Nose Cone Design.

I use a modified version myself to plot shapes that resemble long range target projectiles. If I can do it I’m sure those of you some knowledge of spreadsheets can come up with their own modified version. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Example of a secant 338 calibre design I did using the Excel program.
Example of a secant 338 calibre design I did using the Excel program.

Measuring the ogive’s radius.

So if you’ve managed to magnify the outline of your ogive, effectively you can calculate the radius by measuring the meplat to the shank/ogive intersection. This will become your chord length W.  

The  Sagitta of the arc or height (H), is measured perpendicular from the midpoint of the chord W.  

For double or multiple radius ogives there will be multiple chord lengths measure. Note also this method only works with ogives using a tangent and secant radius. The larger your outline is magnified the more accurate your measure will be, useful for those of us without an optical shadowgraph comparator or other such metrology equipment. Remember though you may have to contend with the parallax error depending on how you capture your image outline.

Radius of an arc or segment 

(link to Math Open Reference.)

To calculate the radius

Given an arc or segment with known width and height:

Segment of a circle.  A horizontal base line with an arc on the top.  Its height is H and width of the base W
The formula for the radius is:

Circle.  One vertical line through the center, one horizontal across the upper part, each half labelled 'a' 			     Vertical line labeled B in top part, c in bottom where:
W  is the length of the chord defining the base of the arc
H  is the height measured at the midpoint of the arc’s base.

 

7mm.com.au – Antipodean Industrial Give Away

Here is a link to the projectile Give Away promotion with 7mm.com.au. Follow the link below for the entry form.

Antipodean Industrial Give Away

500m Fly – Interviews by Michael Bell – Subject 3 _ Ken Melgaard

Here is the link to an interview by Michael Bell with Ken Melgaard from CopperHead Bullets discussing bullet swaging.

Interviews by Michael Bell – Subject 3 – Ken Melgaard