I built a long range rifle over the past year based on a Savage Model 10 FCP SR. I just recently got certified to shoot at 600 yards at my club. Afterward I brought a friend and we both shot my rifle while the other worked the pit. We both noticed a weird whizzing/buzzing sound as the bullet passed overhead and through the target before hitting the berm behind. My first thought was maybe the bullet was tumbling, but the 20 bullet holes we made were all clean holes. I also thought maybe the flight was unstable but at 600 yards the gun is shooting about a 4" group, which seems to match the .5" grouping at 100 yards fairly well. Hoping for some advice and maybe some things to look into. Maybe the round is too hot? Other potential issues?
Geoff Glover
Mar 26, 2019
At the distances you mention, the bullet is still supersonic. What you are hearing is the sound of the bullet passing through the air.
It's been a while since I've watched the video on estimating distances using the "Crack/Thump method, but if memory serves, you may be able to hear the same thing in that one. If not, I suspect you can find a YouTube video where there is a camera in the pits and hear it.
A long time ago, in another phase of my life, I saw some knucklehead shoot at some other knuckleheads with a handgun from a distance of less than 40 yards. The sound of the bullet as it passed through the air was like that of someone ripping a linen sheet.
At my range, we don't have pits-thank goodness, but we only have 500 yards to enjoy, so I'm a tad jealous! :-)
I, and many of the guys I know shoot suppressed, and it's neat to be able to hear the air being displaced as the bullet travels down range.
Nice groups, by the way!
leongbarnett
Mar 26, 2019
@Geoff Glover
- The ripping sheet sounds about right. I suppose my concern is that I didn't recall hearing other bullets making that sound when I went to the certification a few weeks earlier and worked the pit. On that day about 13 shooters were sending bullets overhead with the other 13 working the pit. Maybe its just certain guns?
Geoff Glover
Mar 26, 2019
@leongbarnett
Ya got me! I've never been in the pits-at least not literally!
I'll see if I can remember to listen the next time I go out and see if I can hear the .223 rounds going down range. The .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor I can, but I use a different can on the .223, and it's nowhere near as quiet as the other one. And, the bullets are smaller for the .223, obviously, so they won't displace as much air.
By the way, if you haven't already, sign up for the seminar, or if cost is a consideration, the RX100.
Rex can't get into everything covered in the seminar at RX100, but you get to shoot! ;-)
David Cole
Mar 30, 2019
Every bullet I ever had shoot at me or past me made the same wiz kinda cool to hear
Geoff Glover
Mar 31, 2019
Should have been scary and annoying to have someone shooting at you! You must have ice water running through your circulatory system!
I built a long range rifle over the past year based on a Savage Model 10 FCP SR. I just recently got certified to shoot at 600 yards at my club. Afterward I brought a friend and we both shot my rifle while the other worked the pit. We both noticed a weird whizzing/buzzing sound as the bullet passed overhead and through the target before hitting the berm behind. My first thought was maybe the bullet was tumbling, but the 20 bullet holes we made were all clean holes. I also thought maybe the flight was unstable but at 600 yards the gun is shooting about a 4" group, which seems to match the .5" grouping at 100 yards fairly well. Hoping for some advice and maybe some things to look into. Maybe the round is too hot? Other potential issues?
At the distances you mention, the bullet is still supersonic. What you are hearing is the sound of the bullet passing through the air.
It's been a while since I've watched the video on estimating distances using the "Crack/Thump method, but if memory serves, you may be able to hear the same thing in that one. If not, I suspect you can find a YouTube video where there is a camera in the pits and hear it. A long time ago, in another phase of my life, I saw some knucklehead shoot at some other knuckleheads with a handgun from a distance of less than 40 yards. The sound of the bullet as it passed through the air was like that of someone ripping a linen sheet. At my range, we don't have pits-thank goodness, but we only have 500 yards to enjoy, so I'm a tad jealous! :-) I, and many of the guys I know shoot suppressed, and it's neat to be able to hear the air being displaced as the bullet travels down range. Nice groups, by the way!
I'll see if I can remember to listen the next time I go out and see if I can hear the .223 rounds going down range. The .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor I can, but I use a different can on the .223, and it's nowhere near as quiet as the other one. And, the bullets are smaller for the .223, obviously, so they won't displace as much air. By the way, if you haven't already, sign up for the seminar, or if cost is a consideration, the RX100. Rex can't get into everything covered in the seminar at RX100, but you get to shoot! ;-)
Every bullet I ever had shoot at me or past me made the same wiz kinda cool to hear
Should have been scary and annoying to have someone shooting at you! You must have ice water running through your circulatory system!