Data

Updated Deer Data: 2018-19 Harvest Report, Hunter Satisfaction, and More

May 30, 2020

Updated Deer Data: 2018-19 Harvest Report, Hunter Satisfaction, and More
FWC has recently released a great deal of deer hunting and management data. I talked about the South Florida Deer Research Project last month. But now, FWC has posted harvest data and hunter satisfaction data from a survey conducted last year. From FWC: “The FWC commissioned Responsive Management, an internationally recognized public opinion and attitude survey research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues, to conduct an annual scientific survey of licensed deer hunters in Florida. The survey… Read More »

Ian Nance
Good Hunt

Some Semi-Scattered Thoughts about Applying for Hunts while Mining the Florida Statewide Alligator Harvest Data

May 13, 2020

Some Semi-Scattered Thoughts about Applying for Hunts while Mining the Florida Statewide Alligator Harvest Data
At the surface level, Lake Parker’s stats in 2019 appear pretty darned good. The average gator length was 11′ 9″ with a success rate of 75%. However, only 2 permits are assigned to the lake. And remember, as we go through the math, each permit is matched with two CITES tags. So, a mere four gators could be tagged. One of these measured 12′ 7″ – someone went home happy and probably sore. One un-punched tag was sent back to… Read More »

Ian Nance
Good Hunt

270 vs 30-06 Comparison & Ballistic Data

December 3, 2019

270 vs 30-06 Comparison & Ballistic Data

The .270 and the .30-06 are the two most popular big-game cartridges among American hunters, and the 270 vs 30 06 debate can get heated!

Both cartridges are versatile workhorses that get the job done. Both are capable of bringing down the most popular North American big game – including whitetail, mule deer, elk, and black bear. Also, due to their popularity, the load selection is extensive, and there are plenty of factory model firearms chambered for each.

Before we get into the details of our comparisons, let’s take a look at the data. We want to share our caliber comparison dashboard. We have included 270 vs.30 06 data, as well as several other calibers for reference.

This dashboard combines 270 vs. 30 06, trajectory, velocity, and energy data ranging from Muzzle to 500 yards.

You can filter for 30 06 Springfield and 270 Winchester for this comparison, or you can compare the 270 Winchester or 30 06 Springfield to any of the other calibers in the list. You can also select specific cartridges/loads for a more detailed analysis.

.270 Winchester versus .30-06 Springfield: A Brief History

.270 Winchester

Developed by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, the .270 Winchester (or 6.8×64mm) was introduced to American shooters in 1925. Developed specifically for their bolt-action Model 54, the .270 is basically a necked down version of the .30-03.

The .270 Winchester gained popularity mostly due to outdoor writer Jack O’Connor, who sang the cartridges praises in the pages of Outdoor Life magazine.

Almost entirely a hunter’s caliber, the .270 has not been a popular cartridge for match competition. Although it delivers great long-range accuracy, there are few match-grade options available. However, the .270 Win. was designed for hunting big game, and it hasn’t been tainted by alterations or additions designed for other shooting applications.

In general, if you purchase .270 Win cartridges, you can rest assured they were designed for one thing and one thing only, to bring down big game effectively.

.30-06 Springfield

While the .270 has its background in hunting, the .30-06 (pronounced “thirty-aught-six”) cartridge has a military history. Introduced to the United States Army in 1906, the .30-06 remained the U.S. Army’s primary rifle and machine gun cartridge for half a century.

The military’s sweetheart for decades, this is the cartridge famed Marine sniper, Carlos Hathcock II, used both as his military sniping tool and to win the Wimbledon Cup. Hathcock is best known as the “White Feather Sniper” of the Vietnam War. Hathcock’s made the second-longest sniper shot (1,200 yards) with a .30-06 Springfield.

When it comes to hunting, the .30-06 is the number one choice for whitetails in the United States, although it has killed every big game animal in North America

.270 Winchester versus .30-06 Springfield: Performance

History is great, but how do these cartridges perform in the field against the most popular game animals in North America? Let’s break it down.

Recoil and Shootability

Recoil (sometimes called “kick”) is the rearward movement of the firearm when fired. Felt as impact on our shoulder when we shoot, the amount of recoil generated by any rifle load depends on several factors, including the weight and design of the rifle. Therefore, the felt recoil of any specific cartridge will vary according to the specific firearm used to fire the round.

Perceived recoil, or what the shooter feels, is purely subjective. For example, recoil is the last thing a hunter is thinking about when he has a big elk in his crosshairs. However, the amount of recoil felt affects second shot accuracy and the overall shootability of the firearm.

Most shooters agree the .30-06 generates more recoil than the .270. Generally speaking, the .30-06 cartridge is loaded with more propellant and is shooting a heavier projectile, so this seems to make sense. However, most .30-06 rifles tend to be heavier than their .270 counterparts, absorbing much of the recoil by the heavier weight of the gun itself.

Still, if you want cold hard facts, here are the numbers laid out for you to compare. Just keep in mind that the amount of recoil generated may not be what you will feel when you shoot, especially during the excitement of the hunt!

Rifle Recoil Table

Cartridge	Rifle Weight	Recoil Energy	Recoil Velocity
.270 Win (130 grain)	8 pounds	16.5	unavailable
.270 Win (140 grain)	8 pounds	17.1	11.7
.270 Win (150 grain)	8 pounds	17.0	11.7
.30-06 Spfd. (150 gr.)	8 pounds	17.6	11.9
.30-06 Spfd. (165 gr.)	8 pounds	20.1	12.7
.30-06 Spfd. (180 gr.)	8 pounds	20.3	12.8

Ballistic Coefficient

The Ballistic Coefficient of a rifle bullet basically refers to how well it cuts through the air. When it comes to ballistic coefficient (or BC), the higher the number, the better a bullet will resist drag and wind drift, giving you more consistent downrange accuracy.

The shape of the projectile and the speed it travels will affect the ballistic coefficient. For example, a round nose bullet will have a lower BC than a Spitzer. On the back end of the bullet, a boat tail reduces drag, increasing the ballistic coefficient.

When it comes to 30 06 v. 270, there is little difference in the general ballistic coefficients of both cartridges. Both have a long, thin tapered design, which helps cut drag and stabilize the bullet in flight, producing impressive ballistic performance.

.30-06 cartridges are typically available in heavier grain weights than the .270. A heavier bullet is harder for a crosswind to push around, helping improve the general ballistic performance of the .30-06. However, the improvement is minimal, and there is no clear trend favoring one load over another, especially when comparing cartridges with matching grain weights.

Trajectory

Simply put, trajectory is the path your bullet takes as it moves toward your intended target. As your bullet leaves the muzzle and travels downrange, it is affected by both gravity and air resistance. Air resistance causes it to slow, and gravity pulls it toward the ground. With a loss of speed, gravity’s force increases, causing your bullet to drop more quickly.

If you chart your bullet’s path through the air, it will resemble an arc or a parabolic curve.

When it comes to long-distance shooting, the flatter a bullet’s trajectory, the less the shooter must compensate for distance, and the more accurate those long range shots will be. When we say “flat,” we are referring to the parabolic curve. A bullet with a flat trajectory will have less drop in altitude as the bullet travels distance.

When comparing .270 and .30-06 rounds of similar weight and design, we see almost no difference in short range trajectory. However, we start to see a small difference once we move out past 400 yards.

The .270 has flatter trajectory options compared to the .30-06. However, unless you are shooting out past 600 yards, you aren’t going to see a significant difference.

270 vs 30 06 Long Range Trajectory Graph

Accuracy

The accuracy of any given round is hard to determine. Besides the specific cartridge being used there are many variables, including wind conditions, the specific firearm, and the individual shooter.

When it comes to long range shots, the .270 may have a slightly flatter trajectory than the .30-06. However, the heavier weight of the .30-06 will be slightly more resistant to crosswind. The differences in the two are negligible, and certainly not enough to qualify one as being more accurate than the other.

As far as recoil goes, the .30-06, as we mentioned earlier, has slightly more recoil energy than the .270. Although the exact numbers of felt recoil vary, for some shooters, this could initiate a flinch response, potentially affecting accuracy, especially on those follow-up shots.

All these factors create only minor differences in the accuracy of these two cartridges. When the rubber meets the road, the cartridge that delivers better accuracy is likely to be the one being used by the better shooter.

Terminal Performance

Accuracy is an important factor in any cartridge selection. But for the hunter, terminal performance is even more important. The amount of stopping power your ammunition delivers is largely what puts meat on the table.

Even the most perfectly placed shot will be ineffective if that shot doesn’t deliver enough expansion and penetration to provide a clean kill.

Both the .270 and .30-06 cartridges were designed to travel long distances and still pack enough punch to drop a big game animal. Carving an effective wound channel to deliver a quick and humane kill is largely determined by the individual bullet design and its terminal expansion.

With so many loads available, today’s big game hunter has plenty to choose from when it comes to how a bullet expands once it hits the target. There are projectiles that mushroom or fragment upon impact and those that are designed to pass cleanly through with no expansion.

With so many variations, it is impossible to cover them all. Instead, we will focus this article mainly on energy transfer and penetration.

Energy Transfer

Once a projectile leaves the muzzle of your gun, it carries kinetic energy. Generated by the force of the gunpowder and the bullet’s weight, this energy is transferred to the target upon impact.

The force of the impact causes some effective organ and tissue damage regardless of penetration. It doesn’t take bullet penetration to cause serious damage. Blunt force trauma can devastate. For example, being hit by a truck can be pretty catastrophic.

When comparing similar grain weights, there is little difference in energy transfer between the .270 and .30-06 loads. On average, both cartridges will deliver enough kinetic energy to take down larger game.

Regardless of which cartridge you choose, be sure to look for a load that delivers at least 1,000-foot pounds of force. This is the minimum force necessary to take down most big game effectively. If you are in pursuit of larger game, including elk, bear, or moose, you may want to look for a load that delivers an even harder impact.

However, keep in mind that kinetic energy is just one variable in the equation. Tissue disruption and penetration also play vital roles in how effectively and humanely an animal is harvested. And of course, nothing is a substitute for a well-placed shot.

270 vs 30 06 Average Energy

Penetration

When hunting large game, you need a round capable of penetrating through tough thick hide and still keep traveling far enough to reach deep vital organs.

There are several factors that determine how well a given round will penetrate, including the bullet’s diameter and weight, the velocity it is traveling, and the bullet’s design. Bullets with a higher density, traveling at a higher velocity, will usually deliver deeper penetration.

However, as with most things related to ammunition, penetration is slightly more complicated. For example, a highly bonded projectile will penetrate more deeply than one that mushrooms or fragments upon impact.

In this case, deep penetration doesn’t necessarily equate to higher lethality. In general, bonded bullets with deeper penetration create less tissue disruption and are less effective, especially when used on the largest game animals.f

Conclusion and Recommended Applications

After laying the performance of each cartridge type out for comparison, I think we can all agree the differences between the .270 and .30-06 are minimal. Both cartridges are an excellent choice for hunting big game. With the proper bullet weight, both cartridges are capable of humanely harvesting whitetails, mule deer, wild hogs, and even elk.

For hunting moose, bear, and other larger game, the .30-06 may have a slight advantage. The .30-06 is available in bullet weights capable of delivering higher energy transfer and more effective killing wounds. A .30-06 cartridge loaded with a 180 grain bullet is going to be more effective against a big moose than a .270 loaded with a 130 grain bullet.

On the other hand, the lighter grain weights typical of the .270 round make it more practical for smaller game (including whitetails) where you might not need the stopping power or recoil of a .30-06 round.

While there are a few differences between the two, both the .270 and the .30-06 are capable of excelling in most North American big game hunting situations. Choosing which one will work best for you is best discovered on the shooting range. If you have the opportunity, try shooting several different loads of both. Ultimately, the “best” cartridge is the one you feel most confident shooting.

It is easy to understand why the 270 vs 30 06 debate is often so heated. They are both great cartridges for big game hunting. Choosing which one is “best” is really just a matter of personal opinion.

The post 270 vs 30-06 Comparison & Ballistic Data appeared first on MyHuntinGear.com.

Roy Ayers
MyHuntinGear.com

Interactive Ballistics Data – Graphs, Tables, and More

December 1, 2019

Interactive Ballistics Data – Graphs, Tables, and More

Ballistics

The science of projectiles and firearms, or in other words, the info you need to make the kill!

If you are looking for the 270 vs 308 vs 30 06 ballistics chart, the 5.56 trajectory chart, the 300 Win Mag Ballistics data, or the 30 06 trajectory chart; you are in the right place!

Here are a few suggestions for using the below dashboard:

Select specific calibers and cartridges by using the filters
Hover over graphs and lines to see more detail
Click around to highlight specific data or to apply detailed filtering
Don’t forget to try out full screen (there is a button on the bottom right, below the graphs)
Please give us some feedback!
1. Additional calibers/cartridges that you would like to see?
2. Other data that is important to you? Ballistic Coefficient, longer range, more detail, etc.
3. Share with your friends to get their feedback as well
Last of all, help us keep building interesting content by using our affiliate links. When you need hunting or shooting supplies if you click through our links to Amazon it helps support myhuntingear.com. Thank you!

Explanation of Ballistics Data

Ballistics includes the understanding of trajectory, velocity, energy, as well as other factors as they pertain to projectiles and firearms. An understanding of these principles is essential to shooting accurately and selecting the right caliber/round for the job.

We have compiled ballistics data for some of the most popular calibers around.

Our data-set includes detailed information for:

223 Winchester (5.56 NATO)
270 Winchester
30 06 Springfield
308 Winchester
300 Win Mag
More to come soon

The ballistics charts (trajectory graph, velocity chart, and energy chart) can easily be filtered for the specific calibers (223 Win, 5.56 NATO, 270 Win, 308 Win, or 300 Win Mag) that you are interested in. We have compiled ballistics data for over 80 different cartridges that you can choose from!
Below is some important information about trajectory, velocity, and energy. We hope that this helps.

Trajectory

Trajectory – the path your bullet takes from the muzzle of your rifle to the target down range.

We measure trajectory as the bullet drop in inches or the MOA (Minute of Angle). In our trajectory graph, we show how much the bullet drops in inches from the zero point. In the data set if you filter on a specific caliber such as the 223/ 5.56 Trajectory chart. The average drop at the 100 yards is 1.3 Inches up, but then at 200 yards, the bullet drop is at 0 (200 yards is the zero point or the range the rifle is sited for).

MOA made simple

MOA or Minute of Angle is a common way people describe accuracy and trajectory. One minute of angle equals one-sixtieth of one angle. There are 60 minutes of angle in each degree, 360 degrees in a circle. When your rifle is pointed down range, there is a total of 180 degrees to your immediate left, right, and everything in between. See the example below.

Minute of Angle (MOA) explained

If we shine a laser down the end of your barrel in a perfectly straight line, we can describe the variance from this line in MOA. If the barrel is rotated 1 MOA, and we shoot out another perfectly straight line the difference between where these two lines hit at 100 yards will be about 1 inch at 100 yards. About 2 inches at 200 yards and so on.

What is Minute of Angle

It is common for the adjustments on optics to be made in MOA. If a scope has ¼ MOA adjustments, it will take four clicks to change the impact point by about one inch at 100 yards. In the below table you can see the MOA adjustment vs. the change at 100 Meters/Yards. In our example of the 223/ 5.56 ballistics, if your rifle was shooting ½ inch high at 100 yards, and your optic adjustments were in ¼ MOA you would want to adjust your scope down two clicks.

MOA Sight Adjustment Table – 100 Yards

Velocity

Velocity is the speed at which the bullet travels. Pretty simple right!

Velocity is usually measured in feet per second (fps). For any given projectile, as you push it faster, you will, of course, have improved trajectory and higher energy output. When you compare velocities of projectiles with differing weights, you will want to take all of the data into consideration.

The smaller calibers, such as the .223 Win/5.56 NATO, generally have a projectile weight of 50 gr-62 gr. The .223 Win (5.56 NATO) bullet FLIES out of the muzzle anywhere from 3,000 – 3,500 fps but the velocity drops off relatively quickly. The heavier projectiles from larger calibers, such as the 300 Win Mag, come out of the muzzle a little slower but do not lose that velocity quite as quickly.

We have put together a heat map for the average velocities and the rate at which the velocity declines for each caliber. In the heat map, green is higher and red is lower. Again with the .223 Win/5.56 NATO, which has the highest velocity coming out of the barrel, but also the highest rate of decline in that velocity. The .300 Win Mag, with a bullet weight of 150 gr – 200 gr, has an average muzzle velocity of 2,980, but the projectile with heavier mass holds that speed better than the lighter options.

This discussion about velocity in relation to projectile mass is directly related to the energy of the projectile and makes for a nice transition!

Average Bullet Velocity – FPS

Bullet Velocity Lost every 100 Yards

Energy

Having just discussed velocity and its interaction with bullet weight, it will come as no surprise to see that the energy produced by the .300 Win Mag is significantly higher than the .223 Win/5.56 NATO, and noticeably higher than the other calibers.

Energy is measured in foot-pounds and represents the kinetic energy of the projectile. Energy is a factor of the bullet mass and the bullet velocity. Energy has a linear relationship with mass but an exponential relationship with velocity. In other words if you increase the projectile mass by two the energy will also increase by two; however, if you increase the projectile velocity by two, the energy will increase by four times!

When the projectile strikes, the target, energy is transferred from the projectile into a target. This massive release of energy is what causes much of the damage which will create a fatal wound in the intended game.

Average Energy – 223 Win – 5.56 NATO -270 Win – 300 Win Mag – 30 06 – 308 Win

Conclusion

We hope that you find this data useful, and we hope that you will let us know how we can improve this tool. We intend to continue adding calibers, cartridges, and additional data so please bookmark this page and come back often. If you have suggestions, please let us know! We have selected .223 Win/5.56 NATO, .270 Win, .300 Win Mag, .30-06, and .308 Win because they are some of the most popular calibers, and some of our favorites. We will be adding to this list and building out some fun and new graphs, tables, charts, and visuals.

The post Interactive Ballistics Data – Graphs, Tables, and More appeared first on MyHuntinGear.com.

Roy Ayers
MyHuntinGear.com

Reloading 223 Rem/5.56 Nato – Interactive Data Tables

October 27, 2019

Reloading 223 Rem/5.56 Nato – Interactive Data Tables

Below is an interactive data table for reloading 223 Rem / 5.56 NATO based on Hodgon’s reloading data. We hope this will be a helpful resource as you put together new loads. If you find this helpful, let us know! We would love to expand this to include more calibers.

Here at Myhuntingear.com we love data, we love reloading, and we love the 223 Rem/5.56 NATO caliber. When researching reloading information it is common to have, what seams like, a dozen or so tabs open in the web browser. Each tab with a different data source, each more difficult to navigate than the last. In this post we are trying to simplify your (and our) lives a small degree.

As always be smart and safe when reloading. Double check all load data and use the manufactures recommended loads for the 223 Rem Caliber.

We know that you are mostly here for the data, but we do want to share a few other recommendations when reloading 223 Winchester. These guidelines apply across most calibers, but since we are talking mostly about reloading the common 223 Rem 5.556 NATO we have tailored these suggestions.

Selecting a reloading press for reloading 223 Rem/5.56 NATO:

Selecting a reloading press can sometimes leave people with doubt because they are unsure if they selected the best one for their needs. Lets face it, reloading equipment is expensive and we want the most bang for our buck! Selecting a reloading press can be difficult and you may be asking some of the following questions:

Do I need a progressive press?

The short answer is no, you don’t need a progressive press. Especially if you are getting started, go with a basic high quality option. You will be reloading 223 for years to come! The press that I use is still a basic RCBS Partner Press. Reloading 223 Win is fun! Getting a press for less than $ 100 is a great option. If budget is not a concern for you, there are some incredible presses available.

How much should I pay?

The cost of reloading press varies from one reloading press to the other. Although the region sometimes determines the cost of the reloading press, size is the most determining aspect. Prices may vary due to from single press, progressive press, and a turret press. The progressive press comes with inflated prices as it can perform many functions as compared to other types of reloading press in the industry. A single reloading press is cheap and easily accessible.

The following are some factors to consider when choosing the best reloading press for your needs.

1. Consider your shooting practice

The number of times you will be loading ammunition and shooting is a crucial determinant to the reloading press you would prefer. Loading a lot of ammo and shooting on a frequent basis, you will require an ergonomic reload press so that it can be comfortable on your hand. Moreover, frequent loading and shooting require that you invest heavily in your reloading press to increase its effectiveness.

2. Consider your gun collection

Do you plan on reloading calibers other than the 223 Rem? The other types of calibers you plan to reload is an essential determinant when one is choosing a reloading press. Ammunition varies in size and a large majority of presses only accept limited sizes. If you buy a press specifically to load 223 Win/5.56 NATO, don’t expect to start reloading 50 BMG on the same press! It is important to consider a reloading press that will either do many sizes that will fit your firearm needs or select one with only the size you need. Understandably the price will go up the more sizes the press offers and vice versa.

3. Space Considerations

Space considerations always come into play when the size of the item under consideration is of concern. The modern reloading press can be quite tall. Before buying a reloading press, you should evaluate the amount of space that you have. People with workshops and large garages should not be as concerned about the size of the reloading press. Moreover, the stable mounting arrangement that is necessary for presses also takes an ample amount of space. Consider the amount of space that you have at your disposal before making a decision on which reload press you want to purchase.

While reloading 223, or any other caliber, you will have a variety of tools, notebooks, supplies, etc which you will want to keep close at hand. Make sure you have plenty of space and storage to make your life easier.

4. Time vs. Money

Individuals with sufficient time to practice using a press might want to consider a cheaper press. A cheaper press does not mean poor quality but rather sometimes just time consumption. If someone wishes to spend less time using a press then they should consider spending more money on an automatic press.

To wrap it all up, one has to consider the factors highlighted above before choosing a presser. Reloading presses available on the market are different in regards to quality, cost, effectiveness, compatibility, and amount of space required. Therefore, it is important that you choose what works for you so that you can optimize your shooting practices.

We recommend only buying what is need for your purposes. No need to get carried away when reloading 223 Rem.

Author Bio:

Collaboration between Roy and Annie Grace Wilson. Annie did all of the heavy lifting with this post and I added some of my personal experience and recommendations reloading 223 Rem. Annie is a Public Relations Specialist for Diamond K Brass. She regularly produces content for a variety of blogs that cover topics from reloading press information and tips to ammunition and firearm safety.

The post Reloading 223 Rem/5.56 Nato – Interactive Data Tables appeared first on MyHuntinGear.com.

Roy Ayers
MyHuntinGear.com