Ballistically Challenged??

[Cookiemann]

I have, basically, little or no knowledge of ballistics.  I mean, I can read some of the charts and know which bullets have more distance and knock-down power, but beyond that, I am lost.  Is there 1 or 2 really good books or reference articles that I can read to get educated?  I need it in laymans terms that I can understand.  I mean, if it's like reading Homer,  that won't help me.  I would like to get my hands on a .357 Handi, but I will probably have to buy a Handi in something else and then send it off for the .357 barrel.  I would also like to have a 30-06.  From what I have read here and a few other places, those 2 calibers have about a bazillion variations of loads.  I need to get educated in order to really get the most out of shooting them.  
I will probably start with a 30-30 as that is a popular deer gun here in Minnesota and I, most likely, will not be able to find a .357.   I want to stay away from the models with Monte Carlo stocks as I want to use the same gun with my Tracker II barrel.  Therefore, the first choice of a 30-30 rather than the '06.  
Anyway,  all that said, any assistance you all can provide will be appreciated.

[jgalar]

Basically a long streamlined bullet is ballistically efficient, a short blunt bullet is not.

You need to determine what you are going to be shooting at and at what distance to determine your needs in a cartridge/bullet.

[Mac11700]

Cookieman:

No need to feel that way...it isn't as difficult to understand all of this as you imagine. Go buy...or order the Lyman's 48th edition Reloading Handbook...it has about the absolute best printed descriptions of  what your seeking...written in plain english....It also contains good loading data for you to look thru and use when your ready to reload as well.It is a very good place to start.....you won't be dissapointed...Then...start picking up all the other bullet manufactures reloading books...each of them offer loading data for their bullets for you to use...and compare the differences you find...understand...alot of them use pressure barrels to test their loads in...and they get a baseline of how that paticular cartridge works...because each rifle is different and gives different readings for each load that is used...in other words my rifle may have higher or lower pressures for any given load that is printed...in comparison to your rifle...and may give different pressures and  velocities...which makes the bullets behave differently...

That said...remember this...for most hunting situations...for shots under 250 yards...it really won't matter how high the B.C.(ballist co-efficent) is on a given bullet...for most big game cartridges...you might gain an inch or 2 in what the bullet would drop( this is in comparision of a round nose to that of a ballistic tipped bullet)...but in pratical terms that won't mean a great deal...where the real streamlined high BC bullets come into play is at shots over that distance...and that is where velocity plays an important part...the faster the bullet is traveling and the higher the BC the less it will drop...and your hunting needs and type of terrain will dictate which bullets you will...or should use... and as to something you said...Knock down power...since we aren't talking throwing bricks at what we are shooting...bullets are designed to penatrate thru a animal...rupturing blood vessels and destroying vital organs...they gennerally don't knock any down...unless you hit spine or brain on the animal...or disrupt the central nevous system...you will find certain bullets designed to smash thru heavy hide, gristle,fat,and bones. these are usually used on dangerous game..to get to the vital organs...but in most practicle hunting applications these type bullets aren't really used...all of this you will learn when you start going over the various reloading manuals...they will give the bullet discription and it's figures...and what it is used for...

Hope this helped...

Mac

[MSP Ret]

Cookieman, there is a post here somewhere that talks about a dealer that has several new .357 Handi's with camo laminated stocks and a limited edition medallion inset into the buttstock. I am sure a call to that dealer would put you in possession of one, they would just have to send it to a FFL dealer near you and you could pick it up there. I read that the dealer had 3 on the shelf and more out back. If I did not have one and wanted one that is something I would immediately explore. He must have had them quite a while and since they are not readily available I say go for it. I am surprised that more here have not jumped on the information!!! Good Luck, and if I can help in any way to research it let me know....<><.... :grin:

[quickdtoo]

That would be in Cookieman's thread that he started on the 357mag...

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=56356