"Kicking and Screaming" is the title of a fascinating article in the June/July 2009 issue of HANDGUNS Magazine by Dick Metcalf.  It's not online yet, so you'll have to go to a news stand to get it.  He explains why light bullets shoot low and heavy ones shoot high in handguns.

 

A few years ago, Nate Kjack, a neighbor boy who was then not yet interested in girls, but destined to terrorize gridiron back fielders came to an Elmer Keith Shoot with his Dad.  He shot most of the brick of ammo he brought for his 22 revolver as well as nearly all of his Dad's 357 fodder and immediately assumed a teenage boredom pose. 

 

I happened to have acquired a Thunder Ranch 44 Special a short time before and had a sack containing perhaps 250 rounds of ammo loaded with 200 grain bullets.  He proceeded to send them all down range in about the time it takes to consume a warm cup of coffee on a cold morning.  The next thing I knew, Nate had resumed the practiced countenance, the sack was empty and the gun was back in it's case.  His comment, "It shot really low." 

 

A few weeks later, I acquired a box of Black Hills 250 gr ammo that shot to point of aim.  Well, now I know why.  The same principle applies to long guns, but less dramatically.

 

Dick's article explains that recoil begins the moment fire is lit in the chamber.  As the gun recoils, it rotates upward in your hand until after the bullet leaves the barrel.  Light, fast bullets spend less time in the barrel, so exit at lower angles; while heavier, slower bullets exit at higher angles.  This is technically called "bore-transit recoil."  Over greater ranges, there is also a "crossover point", where the lighter faster bullet overtakes the heavier slower one.

 

                    

                          Dawn Malone with revolver in recoil             Photo by Ron Behrens

 

Additional factors including your grip, weight of the gun, length of barrel and possibly how hard you bite your lip or whether you squint an eye apply.  Regardless, you'll be able to experiment, practice and use your newfound skills at a variety of long range targets about a month from now, on Saturday, June 6, 2009, during the 9th Annual ELMER KEITH Memorial Shoot.  Bring a copy of the article along so we can debate it during "Lying & Bragging Hours" afterward.

 

If you have not already done so, NOW is an excellent time to send your entry, a donation check made out to the NRA FOUNDATION in the amount of $35.00 or more and mailed to ME at:

 

Will DeRuyter
 

It'll help insure adequate plans are made to accommodate everyone.

 

Will