Ballistic calculators

K

KLS

Member
Does anyone use one to find out how their ammo/load is affected by drop and wind?

I have the Hornady app. I have a 200 yard range as well. Had a ~10 mph 90 degree cross wind yesterday. Both my 243 and 223 were both 2” off with that minor wind deflection. The app was close. Did’t pay too much attention to wind drift previously. Probably should do more of that .
 
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I have one on my phone! And when I gave it the data for my 50gr nosler load for 300 yards it said 7" drop. So I went out on a nice calm day mid summer to the farm and tested it! I no longer trust those apps, my load was almost 11" low.
 
You have to input all the variables as accurately as you can. Sight height , humidity, elevation, pressure, velocity, KNOWN B.C. are all critical. Knowing your velocity is huge which can change with temp. You cant always go off box for bullet B.C. Go shoot it record drops vs the app. play with the calculator change the BC to true the data and see if it comes together.
 
The one that I ran when I had the burris verocity scope. I had to true it up just a touch from 500-800yds but at 900,1100,1250 and 1450yds were pretty much spot on for elevation and windage if i read the wind right. the wildcard was the 1450yd i ran out of adjustment on the elevation so i was trying to hold over and it was a task trying to make sure it was where i needed. missed the 1450yd by 4in to the left. so you have to true your app up cause if you don't have the correct speed, BC, and height above sea level you will be off. and as far as windage if you are of a couple miles per hour and the degree that it is coming at you it just compounds when you are at distance. A little bit here and there can make a big difference.
 
I use the JBM site. Very detailed/specific. Small fact-if you have the incorrect height above the bore, the trajectory will definitely be off. 1.5" is a default in most places, actual figure is 2.45" on my AR. But this won't change the wind drift.
 
I've found the Hornady app to be very good out to 1270 yards, which is the furthest my range goes.
As Widow Maker noted, you need to have all the inputs correct.
The biggest factor in shooting longer range is the wind. A calculator can only do so much for you there. If you miss left or right, it's not likely because the calculator is wrong, it's because you gave it the wrong wind read.
 
SupressYourself said:
I've found the Hornady app to be very good out to 1270 yards, which is the furthest my range goes.
As Widow Maker noted, you need to have all the inputs correct.
The biggest factor in shooting longer range is the wind. A calculator can only do so much for you there. If you miss left or right, it's not likely because the calculator is wrong, it's because you gave it the wrong wind read.
Click to expand...
Wind is the great equalizer.
 
I use the one Federal has on their web site, Sites-VistaFederal-Site.
I also made a spreadsheet with the math built into it. Both produce near identical numbers.
For the most part, if you get the proper info input the output is pretty accurate.
Though, the further you reach out the more real world data you'll need.
 
Take this with a grain of salt if you will.
I am not a competitive shooter (let alone a long-range shooter) but have been told by 2 very accomplished PRS shooters that out to 400 yds most sporting cartridges will follow the same path within a fraction of an inch to 300 and no more than a couple inches to 400.
For the rifles/ammo I have charted that has proved correct. As of right now I don't have all data in front of me but my Savage Model 11 in 204 with 39gr SBKs, Sav Mod 11 in 22.250 with 50gr vmax, and 2 different Ruger American Compacts shooting 58vmax (~3470fps) and 75vmax (3140). All with Varget and tested from a bench and bags to 300 with 1/2" or better MOA handloads (gun dependent).
 
if im playing at home, i use federals website. you can print out your solutions too. for an app, geoballistics(14.99 one time fee for more than 1 load)
the one on hornady glitches on me sometimes.like if i have a load, then it edit that. the app wont update itself with the new changes
 
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