Why do some barrels shoot better in the wind?
Winds were a steady 10 – 12 mph yesterday so I decided to take 2 accurate 177’s out to shoot side by side. One barrel is a BSA the other an LW. Both guns are regulated and shoot 10’3’s around 905 fps. In light winds they are close in accuracy but when the wind picks up the BSA barrel is less affected.
Out to 30 yards the wind effects both barrels about the same but at 45 yards the BSA is noticeably less affected. In 10 – 12 mph winds I was holding off about 1/2 inch with the BSA to hit the bullseye at 45 yards and in the same wind I needed to hold off almost an inch with the LW. At 55 yards with the BSA I was able to shoot decent groups once I got a feel for the wind and got into a rhythm. I could not shoot the same kind of groups at 55 yards groups with the LW barrel. If the wind let up just a bit or blew a little harder groups suffered big time.
How is it one barrel is so much better in the wind?
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The BSA has a more aggressive choke and tighter bore in general with different shaped lands to most which have in all cals and pellets I have personally tested, made for a higher B.C at any given range when compared to other barrels.
The higher BC and faster twist rate will be what you are noticing in the windy conditions. Higher B.C = less effected by the wind.
Finally somebody that speaks about barrels and ballistics and actually is knowlegeable in this domain :8: :8: :8:
Deep Respect Wingmaster :8:
Your BSA barrel has a 1-16″ twist and the L/W use 1-17.5″ twist unless its a Matador L/W barrel which are closer to 1-16″.
The BSA has a more aggressive choke and tighter bore in general with different shaped lands to most which have in all cals and pellets I have personally tested, made for a higher B.C at any given range when compared to other barrels.
The higher BC and faster twist rate will be what you are noticing in the windy conditions. Higher B.C = less effected by the wind.
Just curious, how Long are the barrels?
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The BSA has a more aggressive choke and tighter bore in general with different shaped lands to most which have in all cals and pellets I have personally tested, made for a higher B.C at any given range when compared to other barrels.
The higher BC and faster twist rate will be what you are noticing in the windy conditions. Higher B.C = less effected by the wind.
Makes sense Wingman. In the past I have had LW barrels in 177 that did not seem to be affected by the wind like my current LW. This was my 1st time doing a side by side comparision but in the past I noticed wind affected the same brand barrel differently. I had two Crickets in 22 cal, a standard pup and a rifle carbine. Both guns had CZ barrels and were shooting 18.1′ at 890 – 900 fps accurately. The rifle was noticeably less affected by wind. Do Cricket CZ barrels for the bullpup and rifle have the same twist rate?
The LW barrel is 15.25 inches. The BSA is 17 inches.