Originally Posted By: Wonko the Sane
I believe that you're wrong, Rocketman.

Hi, Charles. Thanks for taking the time to answer. Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong about something, but I don't think so.

Pix of shot columns emerging from barrels show the center of the mass poking ahead, not a hole as your explanation (front of the shot column to the back of the column as it flows through the constriction) would anticipate.

My "model" does not anticipate a hole in the shot column. It anticipates a longer shot column with lower initial dispersion. Look at the photos Drew posted and note that his photos and my model agree.

Also the choke effect is opposite of your view ( Thus, the pellets subject to more choke effect will have lower "sideways" velocities and will take longer to disperse compared to less choke effect) as the radial acceleration toward the bore center imparted to the shot is speed and constriction dependent - more of either making more choke effect.

I must disagree with your view of how choke works. The passage through the choke constriction is an orderly process. There is no inward acceleration as the pellets are accelerating forward and rearranging themselves to meet the instantaneous bore diameter. The pellets have no inward velocity at the muzzle. they have only forward velocity, pellet to pellet contact pressure, and internal air pressure. The pressures are exchanged for small accelerations,some of which are perpendicular to the forward velocity. Thus, we have a large forward velocity and a small sideways velocity. Absent aerodynamic forces, the trajectory is the resultant of the two velocities.

I find it difficult to accept that the air in the shot mass has any effect even in the least.

Keep in mind that the air is at stagnation pressure at or near sonic velocities. Said air will have some relatively high sideways velocities as it seeks to achieve ambient pressure.


did you read what you had written before you posted it?

Yes, I did and I stand by it until "enlightened." ;-}