  Each observable ballistic phenomenon of a spin-stabilized rifle bullet can be
explained in terms of the acceleration of gravity and the total aerodynamic
force acting on that bullet. In addition to the coning motion itself, Coning
Theory explains the spinning bullet's aerodynamic jump and its steadily
increasing yaw of repose together with its resulting spin-drift. The total
aerodynamic force on the bullet comprises its drag and lift rectangular
components and produces an associated overturning moment acting upon the rigid
bullet. The coning motion of the bullet includes two distinct but synchronized
aspects: 1) the well-known gyroscopic precession of the spin-axis of the
bullet, and 2) the previously little-known orbiting of the center of gravity of
the bullet around its mean trajectory with the nose of the bullet angled inward
toward that trajectory. New equations are developed governing the orbital
motion of the CG as a circular, isotropic harmonic oscillation driven by the
lift and drag forces as they revolve together at the gyroscopic precession
rate. Standard Tri-Cyclic Theory governs the uniform circular precession of the
spin-axis driven by the overturning moment acting on the spinning bullet as a
free-flying gyroscope. The synchronization of these two motions is the defining
principle of Coning Theory.
