Section 3 3-10-2011

I.                   III.           So exactly how does someone use their understanding of wind, drag, gravity, and many other factors to determine how a projectile will travel while in flight? This was my major question and, as I found, there is no simple answer. I have watched shows on TV about sharpshooters such as Marine snipers and the secret service and I have learned that their training has provided them with vast amounts of knowledge necessary to complete these tasks. It is overwhelming and amazing how quickly and effectively these teams can counter all of the Earths natural obstacles, to effectively hit their mark. This is why it interested me; a combination of firearms and science, what could be better?

Ever since I can remember I have been very interested in guns. My family is full of hunters and outdoorsmen who own firearms so I have always been interested in finding out how they work, and how they have changed over the years. I shot my first gun when I was in second grade, a BB gun which my father had bought me for my birthday. It was nice and I loved shooting it, but I had always wanted to shoot the big guns that I’d seem my parents use. Eventually I convinced my mom to let me fire some of her guns. When I was merely 9 years old, my mother took me on my first hunting trip, where I acquired my first deer trophy. I was instantly- hooked. The rush of the hunt, the deafening blast of the gun, the kick of the gun against my shoulder, and my heart beating out of my chest were things I could just never forget.

Although I have always had an interest in firearms, I have had an equal interest in physics and how the “rules” of the earth change certain things in our world. I remember asking my parents and grandparents why the moon shifted shapes, why the tides changed, why there was wind. Even though they did their best, there were still some unanswered questions that grabbed my attention. I hope to learn about how these certain factors caused by the earth affect a projectile in flight to better understand both firearms and physics.

My main question is what factors alter a projectile from its line of trajectory? From what I have learned so far, there are tons of different factors that can cause a significant change in trajectory of a bullet. All of these factors must be considered and corrected before a successful shot can be taken, especially from very long distances. Another question I had was how shooters compensate for these factors so effectively that they are able to make shots at very long distances such as a mile. I want to know the answers to these questions because I think it is mind-boggling how Marine Scout Snipers and secret service workers can locate a target, determine the factors that will change where the bullet impacts, calculate the necessary adjustments, and fire. Doing this is incredibly tough in places like Iraq and Afghanistan where some targets only show themselves for a limited amount of time. At first, I thought finding out how to make these adjustments was going to be easy. I thought I could just plug the information into a formula and there would be the answer for that specific factor. I was wrong. These formulas are extremely long and I do not know what the variables meant or where to plug in the information. I expect to figure out how to use these formulas and successfully understand how the conditions of the earth can affect the trajectory of a projectile.

Update 2-27

I have recently checked out the book "Understanding Firearm Ballistics" by Robert Rinker from the local library. Even though this book is hard to read, i have still used it to figure out more about the forces that effect a projectile while in flight.

The main factors that effect a projectile in flight are gravity, drag, and wind. Gravity is always acting on a projectile, pulling it down to earth and altering it from its original line of sight, this drop may not seem present in close range shots, but can be huge during longer range shooting. Drag or air resistance also decelerates the projectile while in flight. Wind effects the projectile by changing the path of trajectory. All these factors need to be accounted for when firing a rifle at long distances and corrections must be made.

The first thing that needs to be done before attempting any shooting at a target is to "zero" the weapon system you are using. This means to sight the gun in, or to see where the bullet is penetrating and line that up with the scope or sights that are used so that you know where you are going to hit when you pull the trigger. Most high-powered rifles are sighted in at 100 meters. When zeroing a weapon system, an initial shot is taken at a target then (if using a scoped sight) make the necessary corrections to move the crosshairs. Most scopes use a "click" system to sight in, one click moving crosshairs 1/4 of an inch at 100 yards. Two knobs are "clicked" when sighting in, a vertical knob and a horizontal knob. The shooter must D.O.P.E. ( data on previous engagements, or using previous shots to help predict where the next shot will impact) his scope and play with the clicks until the projectile hits where the crosshairs cross. Once a zero is made at a known distance, a shooter can remember that zero and adjust it to compensate for different ranges and other determining factors such as gravity, drag, and wind.

I am still learning more about how shooters can effectively make these corrections in their head on the fly while shooting at various targets, i have found some mathematical equations used for calculating the drop of the bullet, but I must research more before i fully understand what they mean and how they are used.

Update for 2-18-11

 In this entry you should list any new materials you've found, new research you've done, tweaks made to to your product, etc.  In short, what have you been doing with your time?  And what do you see as your biggest challenges going forward?
I have found multiple sources that will be helpful with information about bullet trajectory. I am writing an email to them asking for information in return. I have gotten a library card from the public library and I am getting ready to check out Understanding Firearm Ballistics by Robert A. Rinker. I am thinking about using a blog as my main product, this will let me look back and really view how much i have learned throughout my research. My biggest challenges so far are being able to find information specific to my topic. It is very easy to find to find books and internet sources on ballistics, but not external ballistics. We will see soon if this causes any big problems affecting my research.

Experts

Stephan Wolfram – physicist and businessman

• Wolfram became in 1981 the youngest recipient of a MacArthur Prize Fellowship.
• He published his first scientific paper at the age of 15
• Wolfram was educated at Eton, Oxford, and Caltech
• Stephan Wolfram can possibly help me with my research because he is a physicist and my topic has a lot to do with physics and how outside forces affect bullet trajectory

Mr. Seiple – Physics teacher at sycamore high school

• Mr. Seiple could help me with my research by helping me understand how the physics aspect of trajectory may effect how the bullet travels through the air

Brigadier General Bryan R. Owens

Assistant Commandant at Fort Benning in Georgia

·       He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry through the ROTC Program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he graduated in 1983 as a Distinguished Military Graduate and with a Bachelor of Science Degree

·       Master of Science Degree from Central Michigan University in 1995

• Bryan Owens could help me with my research by sending/describing me information about bullet trajectory and how they teach snipers in the army to make successful long range shots

Mr. Shrimpton – Teacher at sycamore high school

• Teaches military history
• Mr. Shrimpton could help me with my research by giving me different books or sites where I could study my topic more. He could also provide me with the information necessary to fully understand my topic

Major Allen Boothby USMC Ret. S/SA president

• Recipient, Navy Achievement Medal for superior performance and exemplary service in Northern Iraq
•       Awarded Commendation Medal for meritorious service in Italy in support of operations in the Balkans
• Former OIC Scout Sniper Instructor School Quantico, VA
• Assistant Professor of Naval Science and Naval ROTC, Duke University 
• Finalist, National Instructor of the Year 2002

• Current President for S/SA (Scout Sniping Association)
• Major Allen Boothby could help me research my topic by sharing his expertise on scout sniping and showing me where to get the information I will need to conduct my research. 

Capstone #1

1.  My subject is external ballistics, or how the conditions of the earth can effect how a bullet travels through the air (trajectory) over long distances. I want to study external ballistics to learn more about how US Scout Snipers Spotters can make effective corrections according to the conditions and relay that information to his sniper. I will use this information to create a website so everyone who is interested in my subject can view it and appreciate all the amazing split-second decision making and on the spot trigonometry that is required to make a successful shot.
2.  Gun and rifle specialists know a lot about my subject, as well as US Army or Marines veterans. I am thinking about interviewing Mr. Shrimpton as well as a knowledgeable member of the NRA about my topic.
3. My role to help my peer group is to give my honest opinion about my members subjects and to help make sure everyone stays on track. It is also my role to be skeptical towards all my members and ask them certain questions to make sure they have all they have all the information covered that might be asked about their subject.
4.  I am thinking about making a website for my topic. On this website I could provide data charts for certain corrections that someone shooting at long distances could use. I also want to provide certain information which is interesting and amazing. I am also thinking about making a video of myself shooting a rifle at a long distance to show all the factors that contribute to the trajectory of the bullet which will be featured on the website.
5.  I thought capstone was going to be a pain and i was going to hate it, but it turns out it is not that bad.  I am gaining more interest about my subject every day which allows me to have a more positive outlook on the project. I also think that this project will better prepare me for the long papers that i will have to do in college.