Downloadable ballistics calculators

PALADIN85020

PALADIN85020

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A friend e-mailed me yesterday; he had encountered a downloadable ballistics calculator on the net, and didn't have a clue about how it worked or what it was for. I explained it all to him, but it might have gone over his head.

Years ago, I downloaded one (as I remember, from Hornady), to calculate the trajectory on my AT&T rifle illustrated above. Using it, I drew out a trajectory chart, and it's laminated and included in the buttstock pouch for future reference. I have a good supply of my standard .308 load of a 168 gr. Match King loaded to a MV of about 2600 fps. With my zero range of 200 yds, I calculated and verified the bullet strike at various ranges from 50 yards to 600 yards at 50-yard intervals. It was a fun exercise, and the computer-generated calculations were pretty close.

I'm curious - do any of you use such programs, and if so, which ones? What has been your experience with their validity for your use?

John
 
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I used to use the RCBS program with data collected from my PACT chronograph, but I'm changing from the PACT to an Oehler 35, and will likely use Oehler's ballistics program with that. I liked the RCBS program, but quit using it when the computer that I used it on went TU. It was an MS Windows type, and since I switched to Apple afterwards, I haven't found any ballistics programs that are compatible with OSX. I found a great sale on a Windows 7 laptop for under $400, so bought it to use with nothing but ballistics programs, the first of which will be the Oehler. Once I start using it I'll let you know what I think.
 
I used a few, I also wrote one.
I think that writing one gave me a better understanding of exterior ballistics than anything Ive encountered.
Most don't know that BC is a suggestion at best, it changes from day to day with barometric pressure temperature and humidity. It also changes with altitude.
I think it is the G2 function that is the closest general representation of most all small arms, though it too needs some adjustments to account for the lift a bullet produces due to its angle of attack changing as it travels to the target.
sum total, I like mine best. Perhaps due to actually understanding how and why it works and when and why to tweak it
 
I have a $10 app called "Shooter" on my wife's i-pad. You can select the bullets from a library (LOTS of choices), caliber, range, zero distance, temperature, barometric pressure, elevation, ballistic model, etc. I input the info for my 7mm Rem Mag (162 grain A-max, 2910 fps, 1000 ft elevation, 70 deg F) at the same time I bought my Leupold VX-3 CDS. I compared the results from Shooter to the scope by counting the number of clicks between the various distances marked on the scope dial. The scope matched Shooter exactly. When I went to the range, we were shooting a 12" diameter steel plate at 415 yards. I dialed the scope one click past the 400 yard mark and was hitting the plate regularly from a bench rest. I would highly recommend "Shooter" to anyone looking for a good ballistics calculator. I would also recommend the VX-3 with CDS!
 
Nikon offers a great ballistic calculator app for it's BDC and mil-dot scopes. It's called SPOT-ON and is available for the iphone and ipad.

In addition to the normal inputs, you can enter your specific Nikon scope and reticle.

The output data gives you an online printable chart for your scope, reticle, ammo, and related variants.

Very Cool!

LINK
 
Long distance, the next best thing to being there. Or reach out and touch someone is another. Same, same.
 
427mach1 said:
I have a $10 app called "Shooter" on my wife's i-pad. You can select the bullets from a library (LOTS of choices), caliber, range, zero distance, temperature, barometric pressure, elevation, ballistic model, etc. I input the info for my 7mm Rem Mag (162 grain A-max, 2910 fps, 1000 ft elevation, 70 deg F) at the same time I bought my Leupold VX-3 CDS. I compared the results from Shooter to the scope by counting the number of clicks between the various distances marked on the scope dial. The scope matched Shooter exactly. When I went to the range, we were shooting a 12" diameter steel plate at 415 yards. I dialed the scope one click past the 400 yard mark and was hitting the plate regularly from a bench rest. I would highly recommend "Shooter" to anyone looking for a good ballistics calculator. I would also recommend the VX-3 with CDS!
Click to expand...

Web site for "Shooter" for PCs?

John
 
Absolutely I do

Mike7.62 said:
I used to use the RCBS program with data collected from my PACT chronograph, but I'm changing from the PACT to an Oehler 35, and will likely use Oehler's ballistics program with that. I liked the RCBS program, but quit using it when the computer that I used it on went TU. It was an MS Windows type, and since I switched to Apple afterwards, I haven't found any ballistics programs that are compatible with OSX. I found a great sale on a Windows 7 laptop for under $400, so bought it to use with nothing but ballistics programs, the first of which will be the Oehler. Once I start using it I'll let you know what I think.
Click to expand...

I experiment with all kind of bullet weights, shapes and loads. I like to have some idea of what's going to happen when I try them out at the range. Going to shoot 4" high or 4" low?? I would find them even more useful if I did longer range shooting.
 
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