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========================
______
| | | | |
| | |___ ___ | |
| | | | ___| | |
| _ | | | | | | |
|____|_| |___| |___| | |
|_
========================
SMALL ARMS EXTERIOR BALLISTICS
for
IBM PC's and COMPATIBLES
__________
Application Programming
and Documentation
by
Benjamin W. Hartley
Forest Park Estates #103
Jaffrey, NH 03452
---
Voice#: (603) 532-6248
America OnLine: BHartley
CompuServe: 70033,2612
GEnieMail: B.HARTLEY1
__________________________________________________________________
_______
____|__ | (R)
-| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
The author is a member of the Association of Shareware Pro-
fessionals, the ASP. ASP wants to make sure that the Shareware
principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a share-
ware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member
directly, ASP may be able to help. ASP's Ombudsman can help you
resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not
provide technical support for members' products. Please write to
the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Rd., Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA
(FAX 616-788-2765, 24 hrs./day) or send a message via CompuServe
mail to: ASP Ombudsman 72050,1433.
__________________________________________________________________
"QBALL" -- source code, executable files, and documentation
are (c) 1991-94 by Benjamin W. Hartley. All rights reserved.
[ QBALL i ]
_____________________
DEDICATION
QBALL was inspired by the many computer programs
published in The American Rifleman, and is
respectfully dedicated to their author:
William C. Davis, Jr.
_____________________
DISCLAIMER
QBALL is supplied as is. Responsibility for determining its suit-
ability for any use rests solely with the user. The author will not
be held responsible for injury or damages resulting from the use of
QBALL; all remedies rest solely with the user. QBALL is distributed
without any warranties whatsoever, except: QBALL copies distributed
on defective author-supplied media will be replaced; or if QBALL is
inoperative through an author error, a functional copy is available
upon request. The author reserves the right to update QBALL without
incurring any obligation to provide updates to any user, except as
otherwise stated herein.
_____________________
LIMITED LICENSE
Individual users may make copies of the program files for backup
and personal use. Individual users may distribute copies of the
Shareware Edition to others, but only if all files are distributed
in their entirety and without modification.
Computer clubs may make copies of the Shareware version for dis-
tribution. A copying/media fee not to exceed $10.00 may be charged.
ASP approved software vendors and BBS are hereby granted permis-
sion to distribute QBALL; verification of "latest revision" should
be obtained from the author. All other vendors/BBS must contact the
author for permission before distribution is begun.
Distribution of the User's Manual in printed form, or of any part
of the Registered Edition of QBALL, without the author's express
written consent, is prohibited.
_____________________
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author gratefully acknowledges the efforts of Jan Archambeau,
Bob Bender, Terry Lyman, Jim McCausland, Miguel Duran Perello, Bob
Pickell, and Dave Smith, all of whom have suggested improvements to
what QBALL does, how it does it, and have provided valuable feedback
and assistance. Many thanks to you all. -- B.W.H.
_____________________
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
IBM, PC-DOS are trademarks of International Business Machines.
4DOS is copyright, J. P. Software, Inc.
MS-DOS, Professional Development System (PDS) are copyright,
Microsoft, Inc.
All other copyrights and Trademarks are the property of their
respective holders.
[ QBALL iii ]
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter page
8. QBALL's Associated Utilities................ 47
8.1 RRGTABLE.EXE............................. 47
8.2 GRFXLATE.EXE............................. 48
Appendixes.................................. 51-75
Index.......................................... 77
_____________________
LIST OF APPENDIXES
A. Glossary................................... 51
B. Examples of Inferred Ballistic Data........ 57
C. Typical Saved Trajectory File.............. 59
D. Selected Bibliography...................... 61
E. Error Analysis............................. 63
F. QBALL and Other Programs................... 67
G. Error Messages............................. 71
H. Default Starting Values.................... 75
_____________________
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure page
1. Opening Screen............................ 3
2. Main Menu................................. 4
3. Computations Menu......................... 8
4. Partial Computations Menu, Zero Set....... 9
5. Typical Range Table....................... 9
6. Choose Next Output Menu.................. 10
7. Entering a Range Table Filename.......... 11
8. The Graphics Screen...................... 12
9. Graphics Menu After Two Saves............ 13
10. Second Trajectory Graphics Screen........ 15
11. Two Sets of Data Graphics Screen......... 16
12. New Input Data Menu...................... 17
13. Other Procedures Menu.................... 19
14. Enter the Maximum Deviation.............. 19
15. Point Blank Range Displayed.............. 19
16. Wind Vector Corrections.................. 20
17. Slant Fire "Hits High" Table............. 21
18. Free Recoil Velocity, Energy Display..... 22
19. Typical Bullet Lookup Display............ 24
20. The Infer Data Menu...................... 25
21. Schematic Layout, Infer
Ballistic Coefficient......... 25
22. Entry Screen, Infer
Ballistic Coefficient......... 26
23. Ballistic Coefficient Display 1.......... 26
[ QBALL v ]
INTRODUCTION
QBALL is a menu-driven application for the rapid computation of
ballistic data for small arms projectiles. QBALL will quickly
compute point-of-impact data, velocity and energy levels,
trajectories relative to line-of-sight, and times of flight.
Additional routines permit the calculation of ballistic coeffi-
cients, muzzle velocities from firing data (2 methods), slant-fire
corrections, point-blank range, and gun free recoil. Printing
routines (parallel printers only, LPT1) may be used to produce hard
copy. Starting values and the display to which the program will
default may be changed using the built-in configuration routines.
You are assumed to have some knowledge of exterior ballistics.
QBALL will not teach you exterior ballistics. Several of the ref-
erences in the Bibliography contain basic introductions to the
subject. Their study will amply repay the effort expended.
Warning! All QBALL-generated data should be used as a guide to
ballistic performance! You MUST verify QBALL's data with a stan-
dard reloading manual. Several manuals are listed in Appendix D,
Selected Bibliography, page 61.
If you find QBALL of use, but would like it to do something that
it doesn't do now, or have suggestions to improve what it does
already, please send in a copy of the Enhancement Form. If you are
the first to suggest an improvement which is included in a later
QBALL release, you will receive a free copy of that release.
Should you have problems with QBALL, you may call the author at
603-532-6248; no collect calls, please! Try to call during
reasonable hours. (For guidance: no calls later than 11:00 p.m.
Eastern Time.) You may contact the author by CompuServe mail
message to Ben Hartley, 70033,2612; on America On Line, address
BHartley; or on GEnieMail, address B.Hartley1. If you would prefer
to write, please do so. The author will respond to all requests
for help.
The latest Registered version of QBALL is available from the
author for a $25.00 registration fee. Registration entitles you to
the latest version with one free upgrade; a 3-hole-punched, printed
manual; and a custom bullet lookup data maintenance utility.
The most current Shareware version of QBALL--functionally the
same as the same-numbered Registered version--is available direct
from the author for a $7.50 fee, and on the EXEC-PC BBS (Modem: 414
789-4210, 1200/2400 8N1); the LegalEase BBS (Modem: 509 326-3238,
up to 14400 8N1); in the CompuServe Outdoor Forum, filename
"QBALnn.ZIP"; on GEnie, in the IBMPC Roundtable library; and on
America OnLine, in the "Sports" Conference, keyword "ballistics."
(The author uploads to these services and BBS. Downloads from other
sources may not include all the files -- caveat emptor.)
.
QBALL
User's Manual
[ QBALL 1 ]
Chapter 1
Getting Started
"""""""""""""""
1.1 Files Required.
===================
QBALL is distributed with the files specified in the PACKLIST.DOC
file. If any are missing, you have an incomplete copy of the QBALL
package. Contact the author to obtain a complete set; please include
the source of your incomplete copy.
The only absolutely required file is QBALL.EXE.
1.2 Will It Work ?
===================
QBALL is fully operational with MS-DOS 3.3, 4.01, 5.0, and 6.n,
with either COMMAND.COM or 4DOS 4.00/4.02, and should function pro-
perly on any PC-DOS or MS-DOS computer. QBALL also functions proper-
ly in the WINDOWS 3.n "DOS box." QBALL will not function in OS/2
protected mode. QBALL detects CGA or EGA installation; if graphics
are unavailable, the graphics routines, on-line help, and bullet
lookup are disabled. QBALL occupies approximately 232k RAM while
operating with the supplied bullet lookup files.
1.3 Copying the Program Files.
==============================
It is wise to make a copy of the original QBALL files, and keep
the original in a safe place. Run QBALL from your copy!
1.4 QBALL Installation.
=======================
Log on to the drive where you have put the distribution disk, or
into the directory where you have placed the uncompressed files, type
INSTALL (+[Enter])
and follow the prompts to
install QBALL. While QBALL will work from floppies, it is s-l-o-o-w!
QBALL should be installed on a hard disk if at all possible.
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| QBALL uses "Universal INSTALL", a product of The GoodSoft Co., |
| 1630 30th St., Suite 235, Boulder, CO 80301 USA. It has been |
| provided through the good offices of Matt Brown of GoodSoft. |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
1.5 General Instructions.
==========================
Selecting menu options. Press the key corresponding to the letter
which is highlighted/bracketed in that option. For example, to choose
option "P", press upper- or lower-case "P." QBALL's menus are not
case sensitive. If the option does not appear, or appears in low-
intensity characters, QBALL will "beep", and do nothing further.
[ QBALL 3 ]
1.6 Starting QBALL.
====================
Log into the directory or onto the drive where QBALL.EXE is
located and type:
QBALL (+ [Enter]).
Hint: If you have a monochrome monitor, or you just don't like
colors, start QBALL with: QBALL /b (+ [Enter]). Save the black-
and-white configuration; see Chapter 5.
QBALL will display some initialization information.
The next thing you'll see is the opening screen, which looks
something like this:
------------------------------------------------------------
+==========================================================+
| +=======+ = = = |
| | | | ---+ | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | +---+ +---+ | | |
| | =+ | | | | | | | |
| +=====+=+ +---+ +---+ - - |
| += Reg #N240SW |
| |
| [ Exterior Ballistics for PC's & Compatibles ] |
| [ Using G1 Drag Functions --- version 2.40 ] |
| [ Copyright (c) 1991-3, Benjamin W. Hartley ] |
+----------------------------------------------------------+
QBALL...when you need fast and accurate smallarms...
Users are encouraged to verify QBALL data with a...
handbook! The author will NOT be responsible for ...
faulty application of QBALL-generated data.
===> press any key <=== EGA
Graphics
------------------------------------------------------------
Figure. 1. Opening Screen.
If your computer is graphics-equipped, QBALL reports what kind
of graphics it has found: "CGA," or "EGA." (VGA graphics "fall
through" to EGA standard.) If no graphics equipment is detected,
QBALL specifies "No Graphics."
The version number is shown on the opening screen. (Here, it's
"version 2.40.") If you need to contact the author with comments,
suggestions, or requests for help, it would be helpful if you
include the version number with your communication.
Press any key to continue.
[ QBALL 5 ]
Note, also, that standard metro is shown on the info line. There
are several occasions when you'll need to confirm that QBALL is
indeed using standard metro; make a mental note of what the stan-
dard metro display looks like:
[ Met: 59d 0' 29.53" 78% ].
One frequent use for QBALL is the production of ballistics tables
for a specific cartridge/load. With the Main Menu shown on the
screen, press <C> to open the menu for computation of ballistic or
gun data. More information about using this option is contained in
Chapter 2.
If you wish to infer a ballistic coefficient or a muzzle velocity,
then press <I>. See Chapter 3 for more information.
Use <U>tilities... accesses the menu which permits changing the
display colors, the status of the printer, graphics grid, and
noise toggles, and several values which QBALL will use when
started. A "shell to DOS" routine is also included. See Chapter 5
for more information about configuring QBALL. You may also access
"RRTABLE" and "GRFXLATE" from within the Utilities Menu; see Chap-
ter 8.
<R>ecall Saved Graphics...accesses saved trajectory data, and
allows you to use that data. If there is no trajectory data saved,
this option will not appear. (You did copy the two trajectory data
files from the distribution disk, didn't you?) This option is dis-
cussed in detail in Chapter 6, Recalling Saved Trajectory Files.
<Q>uit... -- press <Q> to return to DOS. QBALL will ask you to
confirm that you indeed wish to quit. Press [Y] to return to DOS
or press "N" to continue using QBALL. If you confirm that you wish
to quit, and you have saved trajectory data, you will also be
prompted:
Retain Saved Data ? ([Y] or N).
The default is [Y] -- that is, keep the saved data. It is strong-
ly recommended that you press <N>: erase the saved data, at least
until you've played with QBALL for awhile.
Let's put QBALL to work. Press <C> to compute ballistic data,
and to do the tutorial which follows. Go on to Chapter 2, page 7.
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| If this prompt appears when you press <C>: |
| |
| Retain Displayed Ballistic Data? ([Y] or N) |
| |
| ...you've already entered some data. |
| Press N to delete that data and to do the tutorial, or [Y] |
| or [enter] to keep what you've already entered. See page 17. |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
[ QBALL 7 ]
Chapter 2
Computing Ballistic or Gun Data
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
2.1 Preliminary Data Entry.
============================
Before doing anything else, QBALL prompts you for the informa-
tion shown below. Suggested practice entries are also shown.
a. The ballistic coefficient (C1) for the
projectile in question................ .300
[ For tutorial purposes, enter ballistic ]
[ coefficients and bullet weight by hand, ]
[ and reserve trying QBALL's bullet look- ]
[ up facility for later on. ]
b. The bullet weight in grains................... 180
[ Automatic entry if data lookup is used. ]
c. Whether or not to use the displayed weapon.... [Y]
and if you've used [L]ookup
Whether or not to use the displayed bullet.... [Y]
d. Whether or not to use the displayed metro..... [Y]
[ QBALL defaults to the weapon, bullet, ]
[ and metro displayed. You may change any ]
[ of them; for now, press "Y" or [enter] ]
[ to accept the defaults. ]
e. The muzzle velocity in FPS.................... 2200
Enter values at the appropriate places when prompted. If you try
to use an impossible value, QBALL will respond with an error mes-
sage specifying a valid range of values for that parameter. Try
entering some impossible values and see what happens. A complete
list of QBALL's error messages is in Appendix G, with a description
of the most common conditions under which they are displayed.
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Bullet Lookup Facility: |
| For initial ballistic coefficient and bullet weight entry, |
| Press [L] while the appropriate entry box is displayed. Use |
| PgUp, PgDn, Home, End, and arrow keys to navigate through the |
| list. Press [Enter] to use the highlighted data. Bullet lookup |
| sets/resets both ballistic coefficient and bullet weight when |
| used. Maker abbreviations: HDY=Hornady, LYM=Lyman, NOS=Nosler, |
| SRA=Sierra, SPR=Speer. Bullet lookup is displayed in bullet- |
| diameter order by default; press [M] to change to by-maker |
| order. More information is on page 23. |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
[ QBALL 9 ]
The Range <T>able... option of the Computations Menu displays the
zero range, if one is set, thus:
+=================================+
| Range <T>able (0 = 250 Yards) |
+---------------------------------+
Figure 4. Partial Computations Menu, Zero Set
Let's continue with this range table; enter the data shown.
Range to Point of Impact.......... 300
Range Increment................... 50
The following table is displayed:
---------------------------------------------------------------
> Ballistic Computations: Typical Firearm <
Range Table, Zeroed at Highlighted Range
----------------------------------------
Range R e m a i n i n g Total Path/Sight Line Defl'n Time
Yards Velocity Energy Drop M.O.A. Inches 10 MPH Flght
----- ----------------- ----- --------------- ------ -----
0 2200 1934 0.00 0.00 -1.00 0.00 0.000
50 2068 1708 0.94 7.77 3.89 0.39 0.070
100 1939 1503 3.88 6.76 6.76 1.48 0.145
150 1816 1319 9.14 4.88 7.33 3.52 0.225
200 1700 1155 17.13 2.58 5.16 6.68 0.311
>>250 1589 1010 28.11 0.00 0.00 10.80 0.402<<
300 1485 881 42.40 -2.82 -8.47 15.89 0.499
----------------------------------------
===> press any key <===
---------------------------------------------------------------
Figure 5. Typical Range Table
Range tables are interpreted as follows: for a bullet having the
given ballistic characteristics and fired at the given muzzle velo-
city, then, at a range of, say, 200 yards, it will retain 1700 FPS
velocity, 1155 ft-lbs of energy, will have dropped 17.13 inches
below the line of departure, will strike 5.16 inches (2.58 minutes
of arc) high, will have been blown 6.68 inches sideways by a 10 MPH
crosswind, and will have taken 0.311 seconds to travel 200 yards
downrange from the muzzle. In similar fashion, data for other ranges
may be read from the table for each of the listed ranges. Note that
the table specifies that Path/Sight Line is 0.00 at 250 yards, the
zero range. That line is highlighted on the screen display; here,
it's shown >> thus <<.
[ QBALL 11 ]
You may also <S>ave the range table to a file in/on the current
directory/disk. Press <S>; the following prompt box is "windowed"
over the Choose Next Output Menu:
+=================================+
| *** Choose Next Output *** |
| ---------------------------- |
+=> Save as <===========================+
| Filename (8 chars): RGTAB_01 |
+---------------------------------------+
| ---------------------------- |
| <ESC> to Computations Menu |
+---------------------------------+
Figure 7. Entering a Range Table Filename
You may press [enter] to accept the default filename displayed, or
enter an up-to-eight-character-long filename of your choice. Type
FILENAME as the file to save. (You may not use spaces or periods at
this point.) Edit your entry with the standard editing keys. When the
filename is to your liking, press [enter] to write the file. QBALL
reports:
+=> Save as <===========================+
| Saving as FILENAME.R01 |
+---------------------------------------+
and returns to
the Choose Next...menu. <S>ave is disabled, as shown by its low-
intensity video character display. (You don't want two identical
files, do you?)
2.3 Displaying Graphics.
=========================
+------------------------------------------------------------+
| If QBALL did not find a graphics card/monitor, the Display |
| Trajectory <G>raphic option will not appear. If this true, |
| please skip ahead to page 17, Changing Input Data. |
+------------------------------------------------------------+
On the assumption that QBALL found appropriate graphics hardware,
press <G> to display a graphic representation of trajectory data.
Figure 8, on the following page, is a printed representation of
what your screen should look like.
(If you didn't copy the two trajectory graphics files from the
distribution disk, "<R>ecall..." will indicate "none saved.")
[ QBALL 13 ]
Press <G> to redraw the screen without the background grid lines.
Tick marks are displayed at the left and right, and on the sight
line; appropriate numbers are shown. Press <G> again to redisplay
the grid lines.
<R>ecall... tells you that you have one set of trajectory data
saved to disk.
Now press <S> to write this trajectory's data to a disk file.
(It will go into the current directory.) As with range tables, you
may specify the filename under which you want to save the data.
When presented with this prompt box:
+==>Save<===========================+
| Filename (8 chars): EGA_SAV2 |
+-----------------------------------+
You may press [enter] to accept the default filename displayed, or
enter an up-to-eight-character-long filename of your choice. Type
FILENAME as the file to save. (You may not use spaces or periods at
this point.) Use the regular editing keys to edit your entry. When
the filename is to your liking, press [enter] to write the file.
The following message is displayed. If you're working with CGA
graphics, FILENAME.CT2 will appear. (The message box clears auto-
matically, or you may press a key to clear it.)
+==>Save<===========================+
| Saving as FILENAME.ET2 |
+-----------------------------------+
The Graphics Menu will now look like this:
+=========================+
| *** Graphics Menu *** |
| --------------------- |
| Toggle <G>rid (Now ON) |
| <S>ave Current Data |
| <R>ecall <1> thru <2> |
| --------------------- |
| <ESC>ape to Choose Next |
+-------------------------+
Figure 9. Graphics Menu After Two Saves
<R>ecall... tells you that you now have two sets of trajectory
data saved to disk. Also note that <S>ave Current Data has been
disabled; you don't want two sets of identical data, do you?
+--------------------------------------------------------+
| HINT: If you can afford to set up a 400K RAM Disk, the |
| file write/read process is vastly speeded up. See the |
| documentation for your computer, probably under Device |
| Drivers. (Look for VDISK.SYS or RAMDRIVE.SYS.) |
+--------------------------------------------------------+
[ QBALL 15 ]
> Ballistic Computations: Typical Firearm <
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| | 8 8 |
|I| |
| | 6 6 |
| | o * |
|N| 4 * 4 |
| | * |
| | 2 * 2 |
|C| |
| |-0------------------------------------------------*-------0-|
| * |
|H|-2 [draw a smooth curve] -2 |
| | [connecting the "*".] |
| |-4 -4 |
|E| *
| |-6 -6 |
| | |
|S|-8 YARDS -8 |
| | 50 100 150 200 250 |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| [ --- Remaining Velocity/Energy, Current Round --- ] |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| >Current< +=======================+
|Max Ht : 4.56" @ 138 | *** Graphics Menu *** |
|Min Ht : -5.31" @ 300 | --------------------- |
|C1 / Wt: [As Shown] |Toggle <G>rid (Now ON) |
|Muz V/E: 2700 / 2913 |<S>ave Current Data |
|Ter V/E: 1877 / 1408 |<R>ecall <1> thru <2> |
|ZeroRg : 250 Yards | --------------------- |
|Metro : [As Shown] |<ESC>ape to Choose Next|
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| [ --- info line schematically indicated --- ] |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
Figure 10. Second Trajectory Graphics Screen
Press <R> to recall saved data. This "selection box" will be
"windowed" over the lower left data block:
+====================+
| <1> EGA_SAV1.ET1 |
| <2> [yours ].ET2 |
+--------------------+
You may press the highlighted number, or use the arrow keys to
move the indicator, and press [Enter] to select the file to recall
and display.
This time, press <2> ("two") to recall the data that you saved.
Remember, the data has to be read from a disk, so it'll take some
time to obtain and display. Figure 11, on page 16, shows what you
should end up with.
[ QBALL 17 ]
2.4 Changing Input Data.
=========================
From time to time, you may wish to change some or all of the
data which you have input to the program.
"Clean Sweep".
--------------
If you would like to change everything--that is, start over from
scratch, just as though you had newly-started QBALL, then <ESC> to
the Main Menu and press <C>. This prompt will appear:
Retain Displayed Ballistic Data? ([Y] or N)
Respond with [Y] or [enter] to keep the currently-set data, or [N]
to use QBALL's start-up defaults.
Changing Single Inputs.
-----------------------
The New Input Data Menu, Figure 12, may be accessed from the Com-
putations Menu to change single inputs. Press <N> to display the:
+==================================+
| *** New Input Data Menu *** |
| ------------------------------ |
| <F>irearm & Bullet Identifiers |
| Muzzle <V>elocity |
| <B>allistic Coefficient |
| Bullet <W>eight |
| <M>etro (dF 'Alt "Hg %RH) |
| Sight <H>eight |
| Yds/Mets <S>wap (Now Yards) |
| ----------------------------- |
| <ESC> to Computations Menu |
+----------------------------------+
Figure 12. New Input Data Menu.
Firearm and Bullet Identifiers: You may change the designation of
the cartridge, bullet, or firearm with which you are working.
Enter any string of characters at the prompt, e.g., ".30-'06
Springfield." Identifiers are limited to a length of 35 charac-
ters; QBALL defaults to "Typical Firearm."
You will also be prompted for a bullet maker and type. If none is
available, the editing box will display "[]." If a maker/type is
displayed, and you don't want to use it, enter "[]" in the editing
box. QBALL defaults to "no type," and displays "[]."
In either case, press [Enter] to retain the information in the
editing box, or edit it and press [Enter] to use that information.
You may keep the same identifier by writing QBALL initialization
data as explained in Chapter 5. Bullet maker and type are NOT saved
to QBALL's default starting data.
[ QBALL 19 ]
2.5 Other Ballistics Procedures.
=================================
Five "other ballistic procedures" are described in this section.
Two, point-blank range and wind vector corrections, directly affect
the range table/graphics displays. The remaining three, slant angle
of fire corrections, sectional density, and gun free recoil are
informational in nature, only. From the Computations Menu, press
<O> to display the "Other Procedures Menu."
+=================================+
| *** Other Procedures Menu *** |
| ----------------------------- |
| <P>oint-blank Range |
| <W>ind Vector Corrections |
| Slant <A>ngle of fire |
| <S>ectional Density |
| <F>ree Recoil of Gun |
| ----------------------------- |
| <ESC> to Computations Menu |
+---------------------------------+
Figure 13. Other Procedures Menu
Point-Blank Range.
------------------
The point-blank range for any weapon/ammunition combination may
be defined as that range for which the trajectory deviates not more
than a specified distance above or below the line of sight. Press
<P> to access the point-blank range determination routines. Enter
a maximum deviation in inches, say, 5, as shown in Figure 14.
+==========================================+
| |
| Determination of Point Blank Range |
| ---------------------------------- |
| |
| Maximum Deviation 5 |
| |
| Trial Zero Range = 512 Yards |
| |
+------------------------------------------+
Figure 14. Enter the Maximum Deviation.
The trial zero range changes rapidly, and this is displayed:
+====================================+
| |
| ---------------------------------- |
| Point Blank Zero Range = 257 |
| Maximum Range = 304 |
| ---------------------------------- |
| |
+------------------------------------+
Figure 15. Point Blank Range Displayed.
[ QBALL 21 ]
Slant Angle of Fire.
--------------------
Virtually all firing tables and ballistics computation programs,
QBALL among them, assume that the angle of fire is relatively close
to horizontal. It is known, however, that firing "uphill" or "down-
hill" will cause the bullet to hit high relative to the point of
aim. How high? Press <A>, and enter the following data: maximum
range 304 yards and range increment 100 yards. You may enter the
"vertical" dimension as an angle, or as a height in feet above or
below the firing point. You'll be prompted thus:
+==========================================+
| Use <H>eight above/below firing point or |
| Vertical <A>ngle above/below horizontal: |
+------------------------------------------+
For this example, press <A> and enter the vertical angle 25d (the
vertical angle may be entered as positive or negative). The fol-
lowing table is displayed.
+=================================+
| |
| Hits High for Slant Fire, 25d |
| Above or Below Horizontal |
| ----------------------------- |
| Range True Hits |
| Yards Drop High |
| ----- ----- ----- |
| 0 0.00 0.00 |
| 100 2.56 0.24 |
| 200 11.19 1.05 |
| 300 27.36 2.56 |
| 304 28.20 2.64 |
| ----------------------------- |
| ===> press any key <=== |
| |
+---------------------------------+
Figure 17. Slant Fire "Hits High" Display
The table tells you that the given weapon/ammunition combination,
fired at an angle of 25d above or below the horizontal, will hit
high by the specified distance at each listed range. The effect is
relatively small at short range and smaller vertical angles, but
can become large enough to be of real concern as the range or the
vertical angle increases. Try several examples and see.
QBALL prompts...
---> More? ([Y] or N) <C>ontinuous <---
...if there are more data lines than will fit on
one screen.
[ QBALL 23 ]
Unfortunately, these figures are relatively meaningless without
some basis for comparison. Here are three for starters, all data
computed using QBALL:
+------------------------------+-------------------+
| | Weapon |
| Selected Weapon, Caliber, +----------+--------+
| and Load | Velocity | Energy |
| | FPS | Ft-Lbs |
+------------------------------+----------+--------+
| | | |
| 1. Ruger M77R (6.75 pounds) | | |
| .22-250 Remington | 7.86 | 6.49 |
| Muz Vel = 3680 | | |
| Bul Wt = 55 | | |
| Pow Wt = 36 | | |
| | | |
| 2. Marlin 336CS (7 pounds) | | |
| .30-30 Winchester | 10.67 | 12.39 |
| Muz Vel = 2390 | | |
| Bul Wt = 150 | | |
| Pow Wt = 35 | | |
| | | |
| 3. M1 Garand (9.5 pounds) | | |
| .30-'06 Springfield | 10.88 | 17.47 |
| Muz Vel = 2700 | | |
| Bul Wt = 180 | | |
| Pow Wt = 50.5 | | |
| | | |
+------------------------------+----------+--------+
Table 1. Free Recoil, Selected Weapons.
The ammunition specified is a "best estimate" using published
Winchester data for velocities and bullet weights; the powder
weights are from the Hornady Handbook. The weapon weights were
taken from the 1991 Edition of Gun Digest.
2.6 Bullet Lookup Facility.
============================
If "[L]ookup" appears on the prompt line when QBALL prompts for
a ballistic coefficient or a bullet weight, you may use the bullet
lookup facility. Press [L] to do so; a bullet listing is "windowed"
over the prompt screen. (An example appears on the next page.) The
supplied AMMO.DAT file contains information about more than 500
bullets from several makers.
If D.NDX is available, bullet lookup defaults to a listing sorted
by diameter and weight. If you prefer, and if M.NDX is available,
you may change to a list sorted by maker, diameter and weight by
pressing [M].
[ QBALL 25 ]
Chapter 3
Inferred Ballistics Data
""""""""""""""""""""""""
QBALL permits you to infer a ballistic coefficient or a muzzle
velocity from live firing or other data. Select "<I>nfer C1 or MV
from Firing Data" at the Main Menu to display this Infer Data Menu.
+===============================+
| *** Infer Data Menu *** |
| ----------------------------- |
| Infer <B>allistic Coefficient |
| Infer Muzzle <V>elocity |
| ----------------------------- |
| <ESC> to M A I N M E N U |
+-------------------------------+
Figure 20. The Infer Data Menu
3.1 Inferring a Ballistic Coefficient.
======================================
Select "Infer <B>allistic Coefficient" from the Infer Data Menu.
QBALL will ask for four pieces of information: two ranges, and
two velocities. The following diagram, a schematic layout of a
firing range viewed from above, will help you visualize the setup.
(Two chronographs are shown. See the note on page 28 if only one
chronograph is available.)
+---------------------------------------------------------+
| | ( > > > > = bullet path ) |
| | ( C = chronograph location) |
| +---[r1]----+ +-------------------------------+
| +-----------[r2]----------+ |
| |
| Gun > > > > C > > > > > > C > > > > > > > > > > > > |
| v@1 v@2 |
| |
| r1 = range, muzzle to first chronograph |
| r2 = range, muzzle to second chronograph |
| v@1 = velocity at first range |
| v@2 = velocity at second range |
| |
+---------------------------------------------------------+
Figure 21. Schematic Layout, Infer Ballistic Coefficient.
It is possible for r1 to equal zero; in that case, of course, v@1
would equal the muzzle velocity. (This is the only time that QBALL
will allow you to enter a range of zero; "zero" is the default
value for r1.)
The routine for inferring a ballistic coefficient allows use of
nonstandard metro, should you have developed your own velocity data
from live firing. You may change the metro conditions to be used
before beginning to enter velocity data. Reported ballistic coeffi-
cients, however, are adjusted to standard metro conditions.
[ QBALL 27 ]
Ballistic Coefficient: r1 = 50.
-------------------------------
Enter "first range" = 50 and "second range" = 100. When prompted
for the velocities, enter 2068 and 1939. You should end up with
the following display:
+==============================================================+
| ----------------------------------- |
| Metro: as displayed |
| Relative Air Density = 1.000 Relative Sonic Velocity = 1.000 |
| ----------------------------------- |
| |
| |
| For Round Number 1 |
| First Velocity (Ft/Sec) 2068 |
| Second Velocity (Ft/Sec) 1939 |
| |
| For Standard Atmosphere, C1 = .298 |
| |
| Calculate another Round? ([Y] or N) |
| |
| |
| [ Lower & Upper Ranges (yards) 50 & 100 ] |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
Figure 24. Ballistic Coefficient Entry 2.
Press "N"; (you would probably use more than one round in a "real
world" situation.) After a pause, the following is displayed:
+=================================================+
| ----------------------------------------- |
| Average C1 for 1 round = .298 |
| Between Mean Velocities 2068 and 1939 FPS |
| Calculated Muzzle Velocity = 2201 FPS |
| ----------------------------------------- |
| |
| Print C1 Data? ([Y] or N) |
+-------------------------------------------------+
Figure 25. Ballistic Coefficient Display 2.
Press "N" to skip printing the table. If no bullet weight has
been entered, you will be asked for one; QBALL returns you to the
Computations Menu. You may now go on to calculate ballistic data
using the values obtained using this routine; QBALL will use the
calculated ballistic coefficient and muzzle velocity until changed.
Now, granted, the calculated muzzle velocity does not equal what
we know it has to be, that is, 2200 FPS, nor does the ballistic
coefficient exactly match what we know to be correct. If, however,
you run a range table using 2201 FPS and C1 = .298, and another
using 2200 FPS and C1 = .300, the difference is well within QBALL's
roundoff error. (Try it using the input data used to develop the
table on page 9 and see.) You may use the calculated muzzle velo-
city and still expect excellent practical accuracy.
[ QBALL 29 ]
Chronograph Not Available (Bullet Drop) Method.
----------------------------------------------
Zero your weapon at a range between 50 and 100 yards; the greater
the zero range, the more accurate the results. Without changing
your weapon's sight settings, fire a string of three to five rounds
at a range at least twice the zero range. Find the center of the
group, and measure the vertical distance between the group center
and the point of aim. This is the vertical difference. In most
cases, the group center will be below the point of aim, but with
extremely high velocities, it may be above the point of aim. For
this example, QBALL was used to generate a typical bullet drop,
assuming ballistic coefficient = .300, bullet weight = 180 grains,
muzzle velocity = 2700 FPS, standard metro, zero range = 50 yards,
and maximum range = 100 yards. The vertical distance (drop) at 100
yards was found to be 0.33 inches, as shown in Figure 26.
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
|Range R e m a i n i n g Total Path/Sight Line Defl'n Time |
|Yards Velocity Energy Drop M.O.A. Inches 10 MPH Flght|
|----- ----------------- ----- --------------- ------ -----|
| 0 2700 2913 0.00 0.00 -1.00 0.00 0.000|
| 50 2551 2601 0.60 0.00 0.00 0.28 0.057|
| 100 2407 2315 2.60 -0.33 -0.33 1.11 0.117|
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
Figure 27. Vertical Drop Generation.
Select "From Bullet <D>rop..." from the "Infer Muzzle Velocity"
menu. QBALL will prompt you for the information shown in Figure 28,
and reports a calculated muzzle velocity.
+---------------------------------------------+
| |
| Inferring a Muzzle Velocity |
| --------------------------- |
| |
| Ballistic Coefficient (C1) .300 |
| Range for Zero Drop 50 |
| Range to Point of Impact 100 |
| Impact Height Difference (Inches) .33 |
| <A>bove or <B>elow Line of Sight B |
| Use Displayed Metro? ([Y] or N) Y |
| |
| |
| Calculated Muzzle Velocity = 2695 FPS |
| |
+---------------------------------------------+
Figure 28. Inferred Muzzle Velocity Data Entry and Result.
Press a key. If no bullet weight has been entered, you will be
prompted for one. QBALL will return you to the Computations Menu.
[ QBALL 31 ]
CAUTION! Since the bullet-drop method is so prone to error, you
are cautioned that any resulting velocity data is--basically--a
"good guess." The value you obtain will certainly be of the right
order of magnitude, but may not satisfy your accuracy requirements.
For practical purposes, however, muzzle velocities so derived will
serve if you have no access to a chronograph.
Here's one way to develop a sufficiently accurate value for the
average bullet drop at the center of a group--the vertical differ-
ence.
Assume that you have zeroed your weapon at 50 yards. Further
assume that you have fired a three-round string at the target shown
in Figure 29, and have obtained the group shown. (The bullet holes
are indicated by "o's.")
+----------------------------------------+
| | Range : 100 yards |
| | Aiming |
| | point: | |
| | --O-- |
| | | |
| |
| [horizontal] | |
| ------------- --O-- -------------- |
| [ line ] | | | | |
| d1 | | |
| | | d2 | |
| Drop for group = | o ----- | d3 |
| | o ------- | |
| (d1+d2+d3)/3 | o ------------ |
| | |
+----------------------------------------+
Figure 30. Measurements to find a group center.
Carefully measure each drop, d1 through d3, to the nearest 1/64th
of an inch. (Use a bullet plug, measure from the horizontal line to
the top of the plug, and add one-half the bullet diameter to obtain
the individual bullet drops.) For illustration, suppose that the
resulting measurements are as follows:
+------------------------+
| d1 = 19/64 = 0.29688" |
| d2 = 5/16 = 0.31250" |
| d3 = 11/32 = 0.34375" |
+------------------------+
Add the three drop measurements together, obtaining 0.95313;
divide that by the number of rounds, in this case, three. The drop
to the group center, then, is 0.31771(-). Round this drop-to-group
center to 0.32 (or 0.318) for use as the vertical difference in
this procedure.
[ QBALL 33 ]
Chapter 4
Printed Output
""""""""""""""
4.1 Printer Warnings.
=====================
QBALL is internally configured to print to parallel printers,
only, specifically, to LPT1. If your printer is connected to a
different parallel port, you will need to "swap" ports for the
duration of the QBALL session, or even reconfigure your printer
setup.
QBALL will detect whether or not your printer is on/on-line; it
is not specifically set up to detect "paper out." Ensure that
your printer is properly set up before you try to print any QBALL
output! (The error recovery routine dumps you back into the prev-
ious menu, so you do end up losing some displayed data.)
Some "generic" printer buffers will not respond properly to the
print routines. If you are using a printer buffer, and you keep
getting the error message "Printer does not respond," then try
bypassing your buffer. Buffers which are built into printers do
not seem to cause any problem.
While no extensive testing has been done, QBALL's print routines
have been found to work properly on an ALPS Allegro 24; an Epson
LQ-570 and LQ-850; an HP Deskjet 500; and a Tandy DMP-130.
4.2 Screen Dumps.
=================
It is possible to print a screen's worth of tabular information
using the Shift-PrtScr key combination available in DOS. This prac-
tice is not recommended, however, as you might very well lose in-
formation which has already scrolled past on the screen. If your
computer is properly configured, however, you might want to print
out a graphics screen using Shift-PrtScr; see your DOS documenta-
tion, probably under "Graphics," for details.
4.3 Printer Setup.
==================
You need not set up your printer to skip perforations in fanfold
paper; QBALL keeps track of the number of lines printed and issues
a formfeed (ASCII12) when appropriate. Continuation pages are num-
bered in order, and each page will have appropriate column headings
printed on it. (A formfeed is issued at the end of each table.)
You need not set your printer to indent from the left margin,
either. Use a printer setup of "left margin = 0," as QBALL is set up
to indent each table an appropriate number of spaces.
You may also toggle the printer prompt completely off, replacing
it with a "press any key" prompt. This feature is useful if you do
not have a printer, or you are sure you won't want hard copy.
QBALL defaults to printer "ON," and displays the prompt.
[ QBALL 35 ]
Typical printed "Infer Ballistic Coefficient..." output, using
the data from Chapter 3, second run, looks like this:
========================================================
> Inferring Ballistic Coefficient for: Typical Firearm <
--------------------------------------------------------
Given the following meteorological conditions:
Temperature..........: 59 deg F Barometric Pressure....: 29.53"Hg
Relative Humidity....: 78 % Gun Altitude...........: 0 Feet
Relative Air Density.: 1.000 Relative Sonic Velocity: 1.00
and the number of rounds shown, the ballistic
coefficient (C1) was computed using the veloci-
ties indicated.
----------------------------------------------
Round V1 V2 C1
----- ---- ---- ----
1 2068 1939 .298
----------------------------------------------
Average C1 for 1 round = .298
Between Mean Velocities 2068 and 1939
Calculated Muzzle Velocity = 2201
==============================================
Figure 34. Sample Printed Output,
Inferring Ballistic Coefficient.
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Hints: |
| |
| If you want to print a graphics screen, temporarily |
| change the display colors to Blk/[W]ht using the color |
| configuration routine; see Chapter 5, page 38. |
| |
| Don't want to wait while the printer churns through |
| a long range table? Rather than choosing <P>rint in the |
| Choose Next Output menu, choose <S>ave instead. Then, |
| when you go off to lunch, or whatever, issue the follow- |
| ing command: COPY [filename].Rnn PRN. Let the hardware do |
| the work while you do something else that's more fun..... |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
[ QBALL 37 ]
Chapter 5
Configuring Display and Default Starting Values
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
5.1 The Utilities and Configuration Menu.
==========================================
Should you wish to change some or all of QBALL's start-up data or
its current configuration, access QBALL's associated utilities, or
invoke a DOS shell, press <U> at the Main Menu, to display this
"Utilities Menu:"
+===============================+
| *** Utilities Menu *** |
| --------------------------- |
| Toggle <S>witches |
| Change Display <C>olors |
| <W>rite QBALL.INI Data |
| Invoke a <D>OS Shell |
| <R>ead a Range Table File |
| <T>ranslate a Graphics File |
| --------------------------- |
| <ESC> to M A I N M E N U |
+-------------------------------+
Figure 35. The Utilities Menu.
Toggle <S>witches will change several of QBALL's operating set-
tings; ...<C>olors is used to choose the display colors; <W>rite
QBALL.INI Data saves the current configuration; and ...<D>OS shell
permits "dropping" to the operating system without exiting QBALL.
<R>ead... and <T>ranslate... "shell out" to the two associated
QBALL utilities, RRTABLE.EXE and GRFXLATE.EXE; if the utility
program is not present in the current directory, the option is
disabled. <R>ead and <T>ranslate are discussed in detail in Chapter
8, QBALL's Associated Utilities, page 47.
5.2 Toggle Active Switches.
============================
Press <S> to display this "Switch Toggle Menu." Pressing the
appropriate key toggles that particular item; the current setting
is reflected immediately, and QBALL will act accordingly until it
is again changed.
+===============================+
| *** Switch Toggle Menu *** |
| -------------------------- |
| Yds/Mets <S>wap (Now Yards) |
| Graphics <G>rid (Now ON) |
| <P>rinter on/off (Now ON) |
| <N>oises on/off (Now ON) |
| -------------------------- |
| <ESC> to Utilities Menu |
+-------------------------------+
Figure 36. The Switch Toggle Menu.
[ QBALL 39 ]
Figure 37 indicates "Now set -- " as the supplied default set-
tings. If you started QBALL with the "/b" switch, the values will
be, in order: 7, (white/light gray); 15, (high intensity white); 7,
(white/light gray); 0, (black); 0, (black).
5.4 Using The Values You've Set.
=================================
Having set the display colors and toggles as you like them, <ESC>
to the Utilities Menu, where you may:
<W>rite QBALL.INI Data
or, you may:
<ESC> to M A I N M E N U.
If you're sure of the values you've entered, press <W> to write
the new QBALL initialization data to the end of QBALL.EXE. (And if
you change your mind, there's nothing to stop you from running
Configuration again.)
If you'd like to use the values for this session only, perhaps to
see how they work out, press <ESC>. If you decide later to save
your "temporary" setup, choose <U> from the Main Menu, then choose
<W> immediately from the Configuration Menu. QBALL doesn't care if
there's a delay between choosing configuration values and writing
the configuration data; it will quite cheerfully write that data
using whatever values are in effect at the time the <W> option is
chosen.
If you choose the <W> option, remember that the QBALL.INI data
includes a good bit more information than just the display colors
and toggle status. It also controls the starting text and values
for the:
a. Cartridge/bullet identifier
(but not the bullet maker/type);
b. Meteorological conditions; and
c. Sight height.
Upon invocation of the <W>rite... option, the new configuration
data will include the text or values of these items which are cur-
rently in effect. This allows you to "tailor" your copy of QBALL to
match your own conditions: your weapon, and the actual (or antici-
pated) metro which is encountered at your own firing range.
Specific times you might very well want to use metro values other
than standard are, for example, if your range is not at sea level,
or if you're shooting during the summer, when the temperature might
very well exceed 59° Fahrenheit. You can configure QBALL to start
with the altitude of your range, or an expected temperature, with-
out the hassle of changing the values after start-up.
In similar fashion, you may configure QBALL to start with the
name of your own weapon, say, "Ruger M77/.270" and the actual mea-
sured height of that weapon's sight, say, 1.25 inches.
[ QBALL 41 ]
Chapter 6
Recalling Saved Trajectory Data
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Assuming that one or more trajectory graphics files exist on/in
the current disk/directory, QBALL's Main menu allows you to access
them without having to work your way to the graphics display rou-
tines. At the Main menu, press <R>ecall Saved Trajectory Data to
access this information screen and the Recall Trajectory Data menu:
Recall Saved Graphics Data
--------------------------
EGA_SAV1.ET1 Typical Firearm
--------------------------------------------------
Muzzle Velocity 2200 FPS Ballistic Coefficient .300
Bullet Weight 180 grains Zero Range 200 Yards
Metro conditions Standard Maximum Range 300 Yards
+===================================+
| *** Recall Trajectory Data *** |
| ------------------------------ |
| <R>ecall <1> thru <2> |
| Display Trajectory <G>raphic |
| Use Displayed As <D>efault |
| ------------------------------ |
| <ESC> to M A I N M E N U |
+-----------------------------------+
Figure 38. Recall Trajectory Data Display and Menu
For purposes of this example, it is assumed that you have copied
the two saved trajectory files from the distribution disk, and that
you saved one trajectory file from the "tutorial" in Chapter 2.
The information shown above the menu is the saved filename, the
identifier, and sufficient other information to identify the file.
(If you are using a CGA-equipped computer, the specified filename
will be "CGA_SAV1.CT1.") This routine always displays [filename].*T1
first. Recall the others by pressing <R>ecall, which will "window"
a choice box over the Recall... menu, thus:
+===================================+
| *** Recall Trajectory Data *** |
| ------------------------------ |
| <R>ecall <1> thru <2> |
+==============+ Display Trajectory <G>raphic |
|><1> EGA_SAV1<| Use Displayed As <D>efault |
| <2> FILENAME | ------------------------------ |
+--------------+ <ESC> to M A I N M E N U |
+-----------------------------------+
Figure 39. Recall Trajectory Data Menu and Choice Box
Press the highlighted number, or use the arrow keys to move the in-
dicator arrows and press [Enter] to select the file whose data you
wish to examine. The header block will reflect that file's data.
[ QBALL 43 ]
Chapter 7
File Handling
"""""""""""""
QBALL performs disk reads and writes. You may run QBALL from a
floppy disk, but reads and writes are necessarily slow. If at all
possible, run QBALL from a hard disk, or better yet, a RAM disk.
That said, QBALL deals with the following disk files.
QBSHELIT.BAT batch file.
------------------------
When first started, QBALL writes a special batch file to the cur-
rent disk or into the current directory: QBSHELIT.BAT. This batch
file does several things, the most visible of which is setting the
DOS prompt within the shell. That prompt looks like this:
[ Exit >> QBALL ] [drive:]\[directory] > _
Additionally, QBALL will look for this batch file when started.
If QBSHELIT.BAT is found, you'll be shown "QBALL is already
loaded!" and get dumped back to the DOS prompt; this prevents
starting a second copy of QBALL while you're in a DOS shell. (If
you're running QBALL from a floppy, ensure that there is a copy of
COMMAND.COM on that floppy! Otherwise, you'll be able to run only
one command in the shell.)
QBSHELIT.BAT is erased upon normal exit from QBALL, i.e., when
you <Q>uit... QBALL from the Main menu. If, however, you break out
of QBALL using, say, Cntrl-Alt-Del to reboot, you will be unable to
start QBALL again until QBSHELIT.BAT is erased, which you'll have
to do manually in this case. Log onto the disk or directory where
QBALL resides, and enter this command:
DEL QBSHELIT.BAT (+ [enter]).
QBALL will now start normally.
Under ordinary circumstances, the operation of QBSHELIT.BAT is
completely transparent; you won't even know it's there.
Graphics Trajectory Data.
-------------------------
Trajectory data saved with QBALL versions 2.30 and preceding are
not compatible with later versions of QBALL, and are ignored. One
workaround is to "start from scratch" with version 2.40, rebuilding
the graphics files. (See Appendix C for another workaround.) Note
that CGA-equipped computers are directed to ignore EGA graphics
files; EGA computers, to ignore CGA graphics files. It is possible
to translate from one format to the other; see Chapter 8, QBALL's
Associated Utilities, page 47.
[ QBALL 45 ]
Manual File Renaming.
---------------------
Assume that the trajectory files you saved in the above example
were all named MYFILE_n.ETn. When you delete some of them, as
shown, the filenames change thus:
MYFILE_1.ET1 becomes MYFILE_1.ET1
MYFILE_2.ET2 becomes MYFILE_2.ET2
MYFILE_A.ETA becomes MYFILE_A.ET3
MYFILE_B.ETB becomes MYFILE_B.ET4
If this is confusing, then you may change the files' basenames
manually. The important point to remember is >DON'T TOUCH THE FILE
EXTENSION!< QBALL keeps track of saved trajectory graphics files by
the extension; file renaming doesn't touch the basename (the first
eight characters).
There are two ways to change file basenames:
You can use a DOS batch file like this to change the filenames:
FOR %a in (3 4) REN MYFILE_?.ET%a MYFILE_%a.ET%a
(Note that this one will work for the example given. You'd have to
change it if the filenames don't match. Also note that this works
only if the file basenames, except for the sequence number, are all
alike.)
Alternatively, you can rename the files individually using the DOS
REName command.
+------------------------------------------------------------+
| When you come right down to it, this may be more work than |
| it's worth. You might want to allow QBALL to erase these |
| files on exit, and start over. |
+------------------------------------------------------------+
The same renaming principals apply to range tables saved to disk.
You may change the filename (the first eight characters) to your
heart's content, but don't touch the file extension!
[ QBALL 47 ]
Chapter 8
QBALL's Associated Utilities
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Two custom utilities are included with QBALL 2.40: RRTABLE.EXE
and GRFXLATE.EXE. Both may be accessed from the QBALL Utilities
menu, and either may be started from the command line. Once loaded,
the procedures are exactly the same; the remainder of this chapter
assumes that you are accessing the utilities from within QBALL.
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| CAUTION! RRTABLE.EXE and GRFXLATE.EXE supplied with QBALL 2.40 |
| are not compatible with files saved with earlier versions! |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
8.1 Range Table Reader (RRTABLE.EXE).
=====================================
In order to access the Range Table Reader from within QBALL, both
of the following conditions must be true: first, QBALL.EXE and
RRTABLE.EXE are on/in the same disk/directory; and second, a saved
range table--"[filename].Rnn"-- exists on/in that disk/directory.
If either of these conditions is untrue, QBALL disables the <R>ead
a Range Table File option in the Utilities menu, i.e., the option
is displayed in low-intensity video.
At the Utilities menu, assuming that the option is activated,
press "<R>." After a short pause, the following screen will appear:
+==============================================================
===== = = = [ ]
| | |-+ -+ | | [ R G T A B L E R E A D E R ]
| | | | +-| | | [ ]
|___| |_| |_| | | 1.0a
-- |_----------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
1 QBALL-generated Range Table found:
------------------------------------
FILENAME.R01
------------------------------------
Enter <1> to read table ("0" exits):
Figure 41. QBALL's Range Table Reader
There is one range table available to be read. Enter "1" (or
"01") to examine that range table. Looks a lot like the printed
output from Chapter 4, doesn't it? It should: it's the same file,
stripped of blank lines, form feeds, and page continuation head-
ers. If this saved range table were longer, you would use the up-
and down arrows, PgUp, PgDn, Home, and End keys to navigate. Press
<ESC> to return to the opening screen as shown in Figure 41. If you
had more than one range table available, you could then read any of
the additional tables. When you're finished looking at range tables,
enter "0" to return to QBALL.
[ QBALL 49 ]
After a short pause, during which GRFXLATE will report that it
is, indeed, translating, you will be asked if you wish to trans-
late another file. A "no" response returns you to QBALL.
If you invoke GRFXLATE and decide that you don't want to trans-
late any files at all, press <ESC>, which returns you to QBALL. The
newly-translated EGA-format data is fully usable by QBALL's graphics
routines.
----------
Both RGTABLE.EXE and GRFXLATE.EXE may be used as stand-alone
utilities, invoked from the command line, as noted above. Their
use, either accessed from within QBALL or from the command line
requires a series of disk reads, and in the case of GRFXLATE.EXE,
disk writes. These are necessarily slow on floppy disks. Further-
more, you may discover that a floppy doesn't have sufficient space
for QBALL, its associated utilities, and any saved data. Experi-
mentation is in order.
Note, too, that both RGTABLE.EXE and GRFXLATE.EXE obtain their
start-up colors from QBALL.EXE. If you have temporarily changed
QBALL's display colors, those in the utilities display won't
match.
APPENDIXES
----------
A - Glossary ................. 51
B - Examples of Inferred Data 57
C - Saved Trajectory Data File 59
D - Selected Bibliography .... 61
E - Error Analysis ........... 63
F - QBALL and Other Programs.. 67
G - Error Messages ........... 71
H - Default Starting Values .. 75
[ QBALL 51 ]
Appendix A
Glossary
absolute zero - Properly, that temperature at which all molecular
motion ceases. For practical purposes, -459.67d Fahrenheit, or 0d
Rankine.
air density - The mass (or loosely, the weight) of a unit volume
of air.
air resistance - The retardation of a bullet's forward flight due
to the atmosphere.
altitude - The vertical distance above or below sea level. Alti-
tudes above sea level are taken as positive; those below, as
negative.
ballistics - The study of moving projectiles. Commonly, what is
meant is exterior ballistics: that portion of the bullet's flight
between the muzzle and the point of impact. (Internal ballistics
studies events prior to the bullet's exit from the muzzle; term-
inal ballistics, the interaction between the bullet and the
target.)
ballistic coefficient - The ratio of the sectional density of a
projectile to its coefficient of form. A measure of how well a
bullet retains its velocity. Commonly supplied by reloading manu-
facturers, or it may be derived from their ballistic tables. In
QBALL, the ballistic coefficient is always taken at standard metro.
The program corrects for nonstandard conditions, but does not
display the corrected ballistic coefficient(s). See also: standard
metro.
ballistic efficiency - The relative ability of a bullet in flight
to overcome air resistance.
bore - The inside of a firearm's barrel. In rifled firearms, the
bore diameter is the original dimension of the barrel before the
rifling grooves are cut or swaged in it. Bore diameter may also be
taken as the transverse dimension between the lands of the rifling.
See also: grooves, lands, rifling.
brass - Alloy of copper and zinc commonly used in the fabrication
of cartridge cases. Also, one or more cartridge cases containing
neither powder, primer, nor bullet.
bullet - The actual projectile in small arms ammunition. Commonly
corrupted to refer to the entire cartridge.
bullet weight - Weight of the actual projectile, usually stated in
grains. See also: grain.
[ QBALL 53 ]
form factor - A multiplier which relates a bullet's shape to that
of the standard projectile used to prepare a particular ballistic
table.
grain - A unit of weight equal to 1/7000 of a pound, or 1/(437.5)
ounces. May also refer to an individual particle, or kernel, of
powder. In cartridge specifications, always refers to the weight of
the powder charge, never to individual particles.
grooves - Swaged impressions or cuts spiraled through a bore to
impart spin to projectiles. See also: lands.
group - The pattern made at the target by a number of shots fired
at a single point of aim and (usually) a common sight setting.
Usually measured from center-to-center of the two most widely
spaced holes.
gun - In popular usage, refers to firearms, generally. Properly, a
type of artillery or naval ordnance.
handgun - A firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.
hold off - The distance a shooter must shift his point of aim to
the left or right to compensate for wind deflection.
hold over - The distance a shooter must raise his point of aim to
be on target when his firearm is zeroed at a lesser range.
horizontal fire - That type of fire occurring if the firearm's
barrel is not elevated significantly above or below the horizon-
tal. Generally taken as 1 degree of arc or less.
Ingalls' Tables - A set of ballistic tables first calculated by
Col. J. M. Ingalls in 1918. Probably the most widely used tables
for small arms ballistics calculations.
iron sights - In popular usage, metallic sights.
lands - Those portions of a rifled bore not cut away by rifling
grooves. See also: grooves.
lead - (leed) How far ahead of a moving target a shooter must aim
to be assured of hitting it.
lead - (led) Soft, dense, silvery-gray metal with relatively low
melting point which forms the basis for many bullets.
line of departure - An imaginary line formed by extending the axis
of a firearm's bore in a downrange direction.
line of sight - An imaginary line from the center of the sights to
the point of aim. The bullet typically crosses this line only
twice; once, a few yards from the muzzle, and again at the targeted
distance.
[ QBALL 55 ]
powder - The propellant material used in firearms. Usually not in
powder form, but in the form of small rods, spheres, or flakes.
primer - Impact-sensitive component of a cartridge which ignites
the powder charge upon being struck by the firing pin or the
striker of a firearm.
projectile - A bullet, shell, golfball, rock, or other object shot,
hit, thrown, or hurled in space; a projectile receives a single im-
petus, and continues in motion by its own inertia. A bullet is not
properly a projectile until it is in motion.
relative air density - The density of air at the measured metro
divided by the density of air at standard metro, expressed as a
dimensionless decimal fraction; e.g., 1.000.
relative sonic velocity - The velocity of sound at the measured
metro divided by the velocity of sound at standard metro, ex-
pressed as a dimensionless decimal fraction; e.g., 1.000.
remaining energy - A projectile's energy in foot-pounds at a given
range.
remaining velocity - A projectile's velocity in FPS at a given
range.
rifling - The spirally-cut or swaged grooves in a firearm's bore,
taken collectively with the resulting lands, which impart a stab-
ilizing spin to the bullet. See also: grooves, lands.
round - One complete cartridge. May also refer to the sequential
number of a shot in a number of shots; e.g., "Round #3."
scope - Optical or telescopic, as opposed to metallic, sights.
sight height - The measured vertical distance between the horiz-
ontal centerline of the sights and the axis of the bore.
sighting in - The process of firing to determine point of impact at
a given range and adjusting the sights so that the point of impact
has the desired relationship to the point of aim. See also: zero.
sight radius - The distance between the rear and the front sight,
on those weapons equipped with iron (non-optical) sights.
small arms (also smallarms) - Rifles, pistols, or revolvers, gen-
erally.
sonic velocity - The speed of sound through air.
standard met - Atmospheric conditions as follows: Temperature of
59 degrees Fahrenheit, barometric pressure of 29.53 inches of
mercury, gun altitude of zero (sea level), and relative humidity
of 78 percent. Firing tables are usually corrected to standard met.
[ QBALL 57 ]
Appendix B
Examples of Inferred Ballistic Data
Ballistic Coefficient.
----------------------
Tables B1 and B2 summarize the determination of a ballistic co-
efficient using tabular values. The values for Table B1 are taken
from data published in the 1990 Edition of The Gun Digest, page
229; the values for Table B2 were calculated using QBALL.
+-----------------------------------------------------+
| From Gun Digest Table for 30-06 Spfd, 180 gr bullet:|
| |
| Range in Yards |
| ------------------------------------ |
| Muz 100 200 300 400 |
| ------------------------------------ |
| Velocity 2700 2469 2250 2042 1846 |
| Energy 2913 2436 2023 1666 1362 |
| Trajectory -1.5 2.5 0.0 -9.3 -27.0 |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
Table B1. Data Taken From Gun Digest Table.
QBALL's Infer Ballistic Coefficient routine, using 100 and 200
yards for the required ranges and the published velocities, reports
a ballistic coefficient (C1) of 0.384.
QBALL's Calculate Ballistic Data routines, using this C1 and the
appropriate values for muzzle velocity, bullet weight, and zero
range, produce the data shown in Table B2. (QBALL trajectory data
has been rounded to 0.1 inch.)
+-----------------------------------------------------+
| QBALL Data Table for 30-06 Spfd, 180 gr bullet: |
| |
| Range in Yards |
| ------------------------------------ |
| Muz 100 200 300 400 |
| ------------------------------------ |
| Velocity 2700 2470 2251 2043 1846 |
| Energy 2913 2437 2024 1668 1362 |
| Trajectory -1.5 2.1 0.0 -9.0 -26.2 |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
Table B2. Data Calculated Using QBALL.
The maximum variations are: Velocity, 1 FPS; Energy, 2 FtLbs;
and Trajectory 0.8 inches. It may be seen, therefore, that QBALL
can produce results in substantial agreement with published data.
[ QBALL 59 ]
Appendix C
Typical Saved Trajectory Data File
The following table represents, in somewhat compressed form, the
EGA_SAV1.ET1 file provided in the distribution package. The header
block contains data as detailed in the key, below. The first data
column is the range; the second, the trajectory height relative to
the sight line. Note that the range increment is 1/100 of the max-
imum range. This is true if the computer used is equipped with an
EGA card/monitor. CGA_SAVn.CTn tables use a range increment of
1/50 of the maximum range.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Yards |
| 1 |
| 2200 1934.281 1484.548 880.7699 .3 250 7.429059 |
| -8.466053 138 300 166.53 |
| 180 Typical Firearm |
| [] |
| 59 0 29.53 78 |
| 0 0 0 |
| 0.00 -1 |
| 3.00 -0.6572303 |
| 6.00 -0.3144605 |
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| (major portion of data omitted) |
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| 297.00 -7.87044 |
| 300.00 -8.466053 |
| 06-01-1994 12:00:00 |
| [end EGA_SAV1.ET1] |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
Table C1. Saved Trajectory Data File.
Key to values listed in the table:
[Unit Rg Measure]
[Sight Height]
[MV] [TermVel] [MuzEng] [TermEng] [C1] [ZeroRg] [MaxHt]
[MinH] [Rg @ MaxHt] [MaxRg] [MetroConstant]
[BulW] [Identifier]
[Bul Make/Type]
[TempF] [Alt @ Gun] [BarPress] [RelHumid]
[0Flag] [MaxDev] [CrossRg]
[Range] [Bullet position +/- sight line]
[Date] [Time]
[End of file indicator with Filename and number]
+------------------------------------------------+
| Graphics files generated with QBALL v 2.40 are |
| not compatible with earlier QBALL versions. A |
| workaround technique is on the next page. |
+------------------------------------------------+
[ QBALL 61 ]
Appendix D
Selected Bibliography
Davis, William C., Jr. "Ballistics on the Home Computer," The
American Rifleman, CXXXI, 6 (June, 1983), p. 36.
Davis, William C., Jr. "Ballistics on A Pocket Calculator," The
American Rifleman, CXXXV, 6 (June, 1987), p. 42.
Davis, William C., Jr. "Calculate Ballistic Coefficients," The
American Rifleman, CXXXVII, 3 (March, 1989), p. 44.
Davis, William C., Jr. "What Is The Ballistic Coefficient?," The
American Rifleman, CXXXVII, 3 (March, 1989), p. 12.
Federal 1992 Ammunition [Catalog and Guide]. Anoka: Federal
Cartridge Company, 1991.
Hatcher, Major General Julian S. Hatcher's Notebook. 3d ed.
Harrisburg: The Stackpole Company, 1962.
Hodgdon Basic Data Manual, Shawnee Mission: Hodgdon Power Company,
Incorporated, 1987
Ramage, C. Kenneth (ed.). Lyman Reloading Handbook. 46th ed.
Middlefield: Lyman Products Corporation, 1982.
Reiber, Ron L., and Heers, Edward A. (eds.). Hornady Handbook of
Cartridge Reloading, Rifle-Pistol. 3d ed. Grand Island: Hornady
Manufacturing Company, 1980.
Reloaders' Guide for Hercules Smokeless Powders. Wilmington:
Hercules Incorporated, 1988.
Remington Firearms, Ammunition, Clothing and Accessories Catalog.
Wilmington: Remington Arms Company, Inc., 1992.
Speer Reloading Manual #11, Lewiston: Omark Industries,
Incorporated, 1987
Warner, Ken (ed.). Gun Digest, 1990. 44th ed. Northbrook: DBI
Books, 1989.
Warner, Ken (ed.). Gun Digest, 1991. 45th ed. Northbrook: DBI
Books, 1990.
Warner, Ken (ed.). Gun Digest, 1992. 46th ed. Northbrook: DBI
Books, 1991.
Warner, Ken (ed.). Gun Digest, 1993. 47th ed. Northbrook: DBI
Books, 1992.
[ QBALL 63 ]
Appendix E
Error Analysis
Velocity, Energy, and Trajectory.
---------------------------------
Results from several QBALL runs were compared with comparable
data from two sets of published tables: the Speer Reloading Manual
#11, and the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, 3d Edition.
Two questions were to be answered: first, how well do velocity
figures compare between the three sources?; second, are the traj-
ectories found by the different sources comparable?
Some difficulty was experienced in the choice of ballistic coef-
ficients and velocities due to the differences between the two
published sources. Speer, for example, rounds all ballistic coef-
ficients to two decimal places, while Hornady carries three. In
addition, when comparable values of ballistic coefficients could be
found, the Hornady tables quite often did not have the spread of
velocities available in the Speer manual.
The following table summarizes as-comparable-as-possible velo-
city data from all three sources. While severely limited, the data
shows that the results obtained from QBALL are in general agree-
ment with the two published sources.
+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Remaining Velocity, Conditions as Shown |
| ======================================= |
| [ Range = 200 yards, Standard Met ] |
+------------------------------------------------------------+
| MuzVel = 2100 MuzVel = 2500 MuzVel = 3300 |
| C1 = .12 C1 = .26 C1 = .50 |
| --------------- --------------- --------------- |
| QBALL 1112 1879 2899 |
| SPEER 1102 1872 2895 |
| HORNADY 1126 1875 2892 |
+------------------------------------------------------------+
(Key: MuzVel = Muzzle Velocity C1 = Ballistic Coefficient)
Table D1. Remaining Velocities With Given Inputs. Note should
be made that the Hornady ballistic coefficients were actually
.122, .259, and .496 for the three sets of data shown. This
accounts for the apparent "high-on-low" spread of values seen
here. QBALL was run with the ballistic coefficients as shown.
An examination of the data in Table D1 indicates that remaining
velocities found using QBALL will be, on average, 0.47% high rel-
ative to the Speer data, and 0.42% low relative to to the Hornady
data. The Hornady data must be considered suspect, as the actual
ballistic coefficients available in Hornady do not exactly match
those specified. Even so, it would appear that QBALL's velocity
results are within a percent or two of published data. There is
probably as much variation between successive rounds in a string.
[ QBALL 65 ]
+-----------------------------------------------+
| Below Resulting Below Resulting |
| LofS Velocity LofS Velocity |
| ----- --------- ----- --------- |
| 0.25 2789 +--> 0.320 2705 |
| 0.26 2775 | 0.321 2705 |
| 0.27 2761 | 0.322 2703 |
| 0.28 2749 | 0.323 2703 |
| 0.29 2737 | 0.324 2701 |
| 0.30 2725 | 0.325 2701 |
| 0.31 2715 | 0.326 2699 |
| 0.32 2705 >--+ 0.327 2699 |
| 0.33 2695 >--+ 0.328 2697 |
| 0.34 2687 | 0.329 2697 |
| 0.35 2677 +--> 0.330 2695 |
+-----------------------------------------------+
Table D3. Inferred Muzzle Velocity with Various Bullet Drops.
Table D4 presents final data using the inferred velocity, and the
base data used to find the vertical difference in Chapter 3.
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Using the "nominal" muzzle velocity |
| Range R e m a i n i n g True Path/Sight Line Defl'n Time |
| Yards Velocity Energy Drop MOA Inches 10 MPH Flght |
| ----- ----------------- ---- --------------- ------ ----- |
| 0 2700 2913 0.00 0.00 -1.00 0.00 0.000 |
| 25 2625 2754 0.15 1.49 0.37 0.08 0.028 |
| 50 2551 2601 0.62 2.86 1.43 0.28 0.057 |
| 75 2479 2455 1.42 2.87 2.15 0.63 0.087 |
| 100 2407 2315 2.56 2.53 2.53 1.11 0.117 |
| 125 2337 2182 4.09 2.02 2.53 1.79 0.149 |
| 150 2268 2055 6.02 1.41 2.12 2.66 0.182 |
| 175 2200 1934 8.38 0.73 1.28 3.71 0.216 |
| >>200 2133 1819 11.19 0.00 0.00 4.93 0.250<<|
| 225 2067 1708 14.46 -0.78 -1.75 6.32 0.286 |
| 250 2003 1603 18.21 -1.59 -3.97 7.86 0.322 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Using muzzle velocity inferred from bullet drop |
| Range R e m a i n i n g True Path/Sight Line Defl'n Time |
| Yards Velocity Energy Drop MOA Inches 10 MPH Flght |
| ----- ----------------- ---- --------------- ------ ----- |
| 0 2695 2903 0.00 0.00 -1.00 0.00 0.000 |
| 25 2620 2743 0.15 1.51 0.38 0.08 0.028 |
| 50 2546 2591 0.62 2.88 1.44 0.28 0.057 |
| 75 2474 2446 1.42 2.89 2.16 0.63 0.086 |
| 100 2402 2306 2.57 2.55 2.55 1.11 0.116 |
| 125 2332 2174 4.10 2.03 2.54 1.79 0.148 |
| 150 2263 2047 6.05 1.42 2.13 2.67 0.180 |
| 175 2195 1926 8.42 0.74 1.29 3.72 0.213 |
| >>200 2129 1811 11.23 0.00 0.00 4.94 0.248<<|
| 225 2063 1701 14.52 -0.78 -1.75 6.33 0.283 |
| 250 1999 1597 18.35 -1.62 -4.06 7.99 0.319 |
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
Table D4. Data Comparison, Inferred vs "Nominal" Muzzle Velocity.
[ QBALL 67 ]
Appendix F
QBALL and Other Ballistics Programs
QBALL user Jim McCausland provided several sets of data developed
with other ballistics programs. The following tables contain that
data, with as-comparable-as-possible QBALL data.
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Program: Sierra Ballistics. |
| Input Data: |
| Ballistic Coefficient (C1)....... .299 |
| Bullet Weight.................... 130 grains |
| Zero Range....................... 200 yards |
| Maximum Range.................... 450 yards |
| Range Increment.................. 50 yards |
| Sight Height..................... 0.9 inches |
| Crosswind........................ -- no wind -- |
| Metro............................ Standard |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|
|Range R e m a i n i n g Total Path/Sight Line Defl'n Time |
|Yards Velocity Energy Drop M.O.A. Inches 0 MPH Flght |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|
|Sierra Ballistics Reports: |
| |
| 0 3000.0 2597 0.00 -0.90 +0.00 0.000000 |
| 50 2840.3 2328 0.46 +-----+ 1.07 +0.00 0.051389 |
| 100 2686.3 2083 2.00 | Not | 1.96 +0.00 0.105659 |
| 150 2537.4 1858 4.74 |Given| 1.66 +0.00 0.163151 |
| 200 2393.3 1653 8.83 +-----+ 0 +0.00 0.224021 |
| 250 2253.9 1466 14.43 -3.17 +0.00 0.288606 |
| 300 2119.1 1296 21.74 -8.05 +0.00 0.357243 |
| 350 1989.0 1142 30.98 -14.85 +0.00 0.430310 |
| 400 1863.9 1003 42.41 -23.85 +0.00 0.508220 |
| 450 1744.1 878 56.34 -35.35 +0.00 0.591424 |
| |
|QBALL Reports: |
| |
| 0 3000 2598 0.00 0.00 -0.90 0.00 0.000 |
| 50 2840 2329 0.50 2.14 1.07 0.00 0.051 |
| 100 2686 2083 2.08 1.96 1.96 0.00 0.106 |
| 150 2537 1858 4.87 1.10 1.65 0.00 0.163 |
| 200 2393 1653 8.98 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.224 |
| 250 2254 1466 14.65 -1.28 -3.20 0.00 0.289 |
| 300 2119 1296 22.04 -2.71 -8.12 0.00 0.357 |
| 350 1989 1142 31.36 -4.28 -14.96 0.00 0.431 |
| 400 1863 1002 42.71 -5.96 -23.85 0.00 0.508 |
| 450 1744 878 56.85 -7.89 -35.52 0.00 0.591 |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
Table F1. Sierra Ballistics and QBALL Compared
Summary of absolute differences. Remaining Velocity: 0.9 FPS; Re-
maining Energy: 1 FtLb; Total Drop: .51 inches; Path/Sight Line:
0.17 inches; Time of Flight: 0.000424 seconds.
[ QBALL 69 ]
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Program: BALTEC. |
| Input Data: |
| Ballistic Coefficient (C1)....... .295 |
| Bullet Weight.................... 130 grains |
| Zero Range....................... 200 yards |
| Maximum Range.................... 550 yards |
| Range Increment.................. 50 yards |
| Sight Height..................... 0.9 inches |
| Crosswind........................ 10 MPH |
| Metro............................ Standard |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|
| Range R e m a i n i n g Total Path/Sight Line Defl'n Time |
| Yards Velocity Energy Drop* M.O.A. Inches 10 MPH* Flght*|
|--------------------------------------------------------------|
| BALTEC Reports: |
| |
| 0 3000 2598 0.0 0.0 -0.9 -0.00 -.000 |
| 50 2838 2325 0.5 -2.2 1.1 0.24 0.051 |
| 100 2682 2076 2.1 -2.0 2.0 1.04 0.106 |
| 150 2531 1850 4.9 -1.1 1.7 2.36 0.163 |
| 200 2386 1643 9.0 0.0 0.0 4.26 0.224 |
| 250 2245 1454 14.7 1.3 -3.2 6.91 0.289 |
| 300 2109 1283 22.1 2.7 -8.2 10.28 0.358 |
| 350 1977 1128 31.5 4.3 -15.0 14.38 0.432 |
| 400 1850 988 42.9 6.0 -24.0 19.27 0.509 |
| 450 1730 864 57.2 8.0 -35.8 25.34 0.594 |
| 500 1616 754 74.4 10.1 -50.6 32.43 0.684 |
| 550 1507 656 94.7 12.4 -68.4 40.40 0.780 |
| |
| QBALL Reports: |
| |
| 0 3000 2598 0.00 0.00 -0.90 0.00 0.000 |
| 50 2838 2325 0.50 2.15 1.08 0.24 0.051 |
| 100 2682 2076 2.09 1.97 1.97 1.04 0.106 |
| 150 2531 1850 4.87 1.10 1.65 2.36 0.163 |
| 200 2386 1643 9.00 0.00 0.00 4.26 0.224 |
| 250 2245 1454 14.69 -1.29 -3.22 6.91 0.289 |
| 300 2109 1283 22.12 -2.72 -8.17 10.28 0.358 |
| 350 1977 1128 31.46 -4.29 -15.03 14.38 0.432 |
| 400 1850 988 42.94 -6.01 -24.03 19.27 0.509 |
| 450 1730 864 57.21 -7.96 -35.83 25.34 0.594 |
| 500 1616 754 74.44 -10.12 -50.59 32.43 0.684 |
| 550 1507 656 94.74 -12.44 -68.41 40.40 0.780 |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|
| *BALTEC requires two tabular displays. Combined data shown. |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
Table F3. BALTEC and QBALL Compared
Summary of absolute differences. Total drop: 0.04 inches; Path/
Sight Line: 0.04 MOA, 0.03 inches.
Available with BALTEC, unavailable with QBALL. Bullet Momentum in
Lb-Seconds; Maximum Ordinate, Maximum Height, both in inches.
[ QBALL 71 ]
Appendix G
QBALL error messages, with a description of the circumstances
under which they will be encountered.
----------
Cannot use MaxDev < [n] inches. Please reset: When finding point-
blank range, if the sights are below the bore, the maximum devia-
tion must be numerically greater than the sight height.
[Diameter][Maker] is active key: The Bullet Lookup listing is
already sorted on the requested key.
Disk Full: Insufficient space remains on/in the default disk/dir-
ectory to write the desired file. This most commonly occurs when
running QBALL from a floppy disk which has other files on it. Copy
QBALL.EXE to a fresh disk, and start over.
Enter 0.000 < Ballistic Coefficient < 1.000: You're trying to
enter a value outside the acceptable range of between 0.000 and
1.000. Ballistic coefficients are, by definition, greater than
zero and less than unity.
Enter 25 < Barometric Pressure < 35: You're attempting to enter a
barometric pressure value which is out of range. (These are rea-
sonable "real world" values.)
Enter Bullet Diameter > 0: In determining sectional density, the
bullet must have a diameter.
Enter 0 < Bullet Weight < 1000: You're attempting to enter a zero
bullet weight. (1000 gr = 2.3 ounces.)
Enter -1312 < Gun Altitude < 29028: You're attempting to enter a
gun altitude value which is out of range. (-1312 is the altitude
of The Dead Sea; 29028, of Mount Everest.)
Enter 0 < Gun Weight <= 30 lbs: In determining gun free recoil,
you're attempting to enter an out-of-range gun weight.
Enter Lbs + [space] + 0 <= Ounces < 16: In determining gun free
recoil, you're entering an incorrect format for pounds/ounces
data. Enter whole pounds, then a space, then ounces.
Enter Height difference greater than zero: In inferring muzzle vel-
ocity by measuring bullet drop, there must be a measurable drop.
Enter 0 < Powder Weight < 200 gr: In determining gun free recoil,
you're attempting to enter a zero propellant weight.
Enter Range greater than zero: You're really trying to enter a
range of "zero." Range = 0 is valid only when inferring ballistic
coefficients.
[ QBALL 73 ]
Inferred C1 exceeds 1.00 - check data: Your input data is probably
incorrect; ballistic coefficients cannot, by definition, exceed
unity.
Not Enough Velocity Remains - Input Greater MV: QBALL is unable to
complete a computation because the remaining velocity is less than
300 FPS.
Printer does not respond: Your printer is off or off-line.
QBALL is already loaded!: You're attempting to load a second copy
of QBALL from within the DOS Shell. Alternatively, QBSHELIT.BAT
wasn't deleted from the current disk/directory. See page 43.
-------------------
These are more warnings than errors, and are new in QBALL 2.40:
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Insufficient Velocity Remains to Achieve Specified Maximum Range |
| QBALL has internally reset the Maximum Range to [nn][units] |
| ===> press any key to display truncated table <=== |
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
Most commonly displayed when using low muzzle velocities, small
values for the ballistic coefficient, and unreasonably long ranges.
QBALL 2.40 allows a partial range table computation.
+---------------------------------------------------+
| Cannot continue. Input smaller maximum deviation. |
+---------------------------------------------------+
The remaining velocity used in the Point-Blank Range routine has
fallen below 300 FPS, and QBALL cannot continue. Reduce the value of
the maximum deviation entered.
-------------------
[ QBALL 75 ]
Appendix H
Default Starting Values
QBALL stores its initialization data in binary format at the
"tail end" of QBALL.EXE. That data is used to set the display col-
ors and several of the values with which QBALL starts. As supplied
that data is as follows:
"Typical Firearm" 15 10 7 1 7 "Yards " "Meters" 1 -1 59 0 29.53 _
78 1 -1 -1
In order, the individual entries translate as follows:
"Typical
Firearm" Cartridge/bullet identifier
15 Foreground (text) color ( = HI white )
10 Highlighted text color ( = HI green )
7 Title/Info line color ( = white )
1 Background color ( = blue )
7 Help display background ( = white )
"Yards " Unit of range measure (trailing space necessary)
"Meters" Alternate unit of range measure
1 Sight height in inches
-1 Noises on or off ( = on )
59 Air temperature, degrees Fahrenheit
0 Gun altitude in feet
29.53 Barometric pressure in inches of mercury
78 Relative humidity, in percent
1 Relative air density at given metro
-1 Graphics grid on or off ( = on )
-1 Print prompt on or off ( = on ).
Invoking the "<W>rite .INI Data" option from QBALL's Utilities
Menu will replace the existing intialization data with whatever
values are in effect when the option is invoked. This will cause
DOS to redate the QBALL.EXE file, and may (or may not) change
QBALL.EXE's size on disk. If you regularly use a virus-scanning
utility, it may react to these changes. If your virus detector can
be directed to ignore certain files, you may wish to instruct it
to ignore QBALL.EXE.
Index
[ QBALL 77 ]
Index
[ A ] Clean Sweep 5 17
Acknowledgments i Configuring QBALL 37-39
Already Loaded! 40 43 alert noises 38
AMMO.DAT 1 23 graphics grid 38
Association of Shareware printer on/off 38
Professionals (ASP) cover i range units 38
Author, contacting cover vi saving configuration data 39
Automatic screen colors 38
file renaming 44-45
graphics detect 3 [ D ]
D.NDX 1 23
[ B ] Data entry
Ballistic Coefficients ballistic coefficient 7 23
[L]ookup 7 23 bullet [L]ookup 7 23
entry 7 23 bullet diameter 22
example from tabular data 57 bullet weight 7 23
inferring (calculating) 25-28 default metro 7
valid data limits 17 gun weight, decimal pounds 22
Bibliography 61 gun weight, pounds/ounces 22
Bullet diameter maximum deviation 19
[L]ookup index (D.NDX) 1 23 maximum range for table 9
sectional density 22 muzzle velocity 7 17
Bullet drops 28-31 powder (propellant) weight 22
Bullet [L]ookup 7 23 range, slant angle of fire 21
AMMO.DAT 23 range increment, slant angle
changing input data 23 of fire 21
index (*.NDX) files 23 range increment for table 9
initial data entry 7 target above/below gun 21
using and display 23-24 wind direction 20
Bullet Weight wind velocity 20
[L]ookup 7 23 zero range 8
valid data limits 17 Dedication i
Default values 4
[ C ] changing/saving 39
C1 (see ballistic coefficients) Filenames
Cartridge/Bullet Identifier 15 Range tables 11 44
Changing Input Data 17-18 Trajectory graphics 13 44
ballistic coefficient 17 metro 4
Bullet [L]ookup 17 range unit 4
bullet maker, type display 17 sight height 4
bullet weight 17 supplied 71
Cartridge/Bullet Disclaimer i
Identifier 17 DOS Shell 40
metro 18 Drop (vertical difference) 28ff
muzzle velocity 18
sight height 18 [ E ]
swap range units 18 Error Analysis 63-65
Chronograph 25 Error Messages 71-75
using single 28 Exiting QBALL 5
[ QBALL 79 ]
Other Ballistics Procedures Sectional density 22
(continued) data entry 22
Point-blank range 19 data conversion 22
Sectional density 22 Shareware v vi
Slant angle of fire 21 Sight height 18
Wind vector corrections 20 valid data limits 18
Muzzle Velocity 28-32 Slant angle of fire 21
Other Ballistics Programs 67-70 data entry 21
(QBALL compared to...) Starting QBALL 3
BALCALC 68 Already Loaded! message 40 43
BALTEC 69 monochrome 3
Barnes Ballistics 70 Support vi
Sierra Ballistics 67
[ T ]
[ P ] Trajectory graphics (passim)
Point-blank range 19 filenames
graphics display 20 default 13
Printed output user specified 13
ballistic coefficient 34 modifying earlier formats 60
range table 10 35 recalling 41
Printer 3 saving 13
auto-detect 3 typical saved data file 59
functions 33
output 10 34-35 [ U ]
screen dumps 33 Uphill/downhill fire 21
setup 33 Utilities 37
warnings 33 DOS Shell 40
Graphics Translator 48
[ R ] Range Table Reader 47
RAM disk recommended 13 43
Range (passim) [ V ]
entering 9 Versions, availability vi
Range Increments (passim) Vertical difference 29ff
entering 9 entering 29
in graphics files 59 Viruses 71
Range Tables 8
data entry 8-9 [ W ]
display 9 Warranty (see disclaimer)
interpretation 9 Weight, bullets
filenames (see bullet weight)
default 11 Wind Vector Corrections 20
user specified 11 using in range tables 20
reading saved data 47 valid data limits 20
Range units 2 wind velocity, direction 20
swapping 2 18
References consulted 61 [ Y ]
Registration v vi [Y]es or No prompt 2 5
RRTABLE.EXE 47
[ Z ]
[ S ] Zero range (passim)
Saving display 8
range tables 11 entering 9
trajectory graphic data 13