ballistic calculator

[JNG]

I am looking in getting a ballistic calculator for my reloading. I road the short bus on computers, so I need an easy to understand type. I am looking for the bullet drop at various yards. I also wish to have it for rifle and handgun. Any thoughts?
Thank you,
Joe

[Griff]

There are several on-line ballistic calculators: JBM probably has the most versatile, but others are just as good as long as you have the necessary information to put into the calculator.

[7.62 Precision]

I have always used the Sierra Infinity software - I started using it with Beamhit's sniper trainer system, and it works well. It is not free, though.

[AJMD429]

if you have a 'SmartPhone' there's the Strelock ballistic calculator that is pretty nice...

• android - http://download.cnet.com/Strelok-Ballis ... 19926.html
  iPhone - http://istrelok.borisov.mobi/

A regular computer version also exists, according to Google...

• http://www.2000shareware.com/downloads/ ... alculator/

44MagHunter uses it and likes it.

I've used the AmmoGuide.com website one on occasion (membership $19/year or so) and I guess you can just 'buy' it - http://www.2000shareware.com/info/ammog ... or/128546/

I wound up purchasing two though -

• Ballistic Explorer - for use under Windows (I hate) 8 - http://www.oehler-research.com/explore.html
  
  RCBSLoad - was my previous one and I liked it - http://www.gmdr.com/rcbs/rcbs.htm

Neither is 'smooth' but clearly written by shooters/ballisticians/engineers. Reminds me of the 'Chrony' chronograph. Neither was expensive though.

[Blaine]

I've test driven some of the software. I run into the problem of the software wanting information that I have no idea about. Particularly about the bullet. Most of us are wanting a close idea for hunting purposes, not an algorithm to land a bullet on a moving comet

[gundownunder]

I've been using Pointblank for years. It used to be freeware, not sure if it still is.

[AJMD429]

Most of us are wanting a close idea for hunting purposes, not an algorithm to land a bullet on a moving comet

Speak for yourself, Blaine, my favorite targets are moving comets...

....not that I ever manage to actually hit any of them...





[disclaimer - no, I actually never shoot without a proper backstop - and the Milky Way is not one ]

[Blaine]

Most of us are wanting a close idea for hunting purposes, not an algorithm to land a bullet on a moving comet

Speak for yourself, Blaine, my favorite targets are moving comets...

....not that I ever manage to actually hit any of them...







[disclaimer - no, I actually never shoot without a proper backstop - and the Milky Way is not one ]

I'm not talking about East LA LowRiders.....

[octagon]

Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen ....

[ollogger]

my old Hornady 3rd edition manual has all the info I ever needed on loads from 17 rem to 45 cal
hand guns also, from 50 to 1000 yards with foot lbs of energy & bullet drop
after over 30 years its still my go to manual


ollogger

[vancelw]

There are a lot of free ones but I paid for Oehler's Ballistic Explorer years ago and love it. There may be better and cheaper ones out there, but I've never had any reason to look.

[7.62 Precision]

I've test driven some of the software. I run into the problem of the software wanting information that I have no idea about. Particularly about the bullet. Most of us are wanting a close idea for hunting purposes, not an algorithm to land a bullet on a moving comet

One of the things I like about the Seirra software is they include a pretty comprehensive list of bullets, all with the necessary data.

[Blaine]

I've test driven some of the software. I run into the problem of the software wanting information that I have no idea about. Particularly about the bullet. Most of us are wanting a close idea for hunting purposes, not an algorithm to land a bullet on a moving comet

One of the things I like about the Seirra software is they include a pretty comprehensive list of bullets, all with the necessary data.

Thanks

[7.62 Precision]

Thanks

No problem. I like the ability to choose a bullet out of a list and have all the necessary data automatically load.

Few things frustrate me more than going to manufacturer's websites and reading boxes to try to figure out what data to plug in on a particular bullet, only to find it isn't listed anywhere easy to find. Of course some manufacturers inflate their bullet data, so that throws it off anyway.

[Griff]

I forgot, I have the "Lee Shooter" program, which besides the ballistic calculator has a number of other calculators plus a firearm and reloading logs.

[JNG]

Thank you all for your post. Santa Maw is going to leave of my choice under the tree this Christmas. At this time I
am still reviewing my options.

Thanks again,
Joe

[BrentD]

Joe,
Just in case there is something else on your list that might get bumped, you can use this website anytime, from anywhere, for free. And it is darn good for most anything you might want or need to do. In fact, I prefer it over all others, regardless of price.

http://www.jbmballistics.com/index.shtml

[Steelbanger]

Since you need to know the velocity of your loads in order to calculate trajectories, etc. you'll be needing a chronograph. My late wife gifted me with a PACT back in the 90's. The PACT has a built-in ballistic calculator that does so many things and is easy to understand. Another key bit of information you'll need is the ballistic coefficient of your chosen bullet and the PACT has a library of bullet makes from most of the bullet providers or you can enter your information like I often do with cast bullets. Other selections will allow you to calculate energy, etc. It has a printer too so you can output on paper and save your data.

So there's my recommendation. Get a PACT and be prepared to be amazed.

Sales pitch over.

[JNG]

I had a chronograph some years ago until the wind pushed a 45 through it. Been using a friends, it does not have all that info
in it. Might be a time to look at another one. Thanks of the idea.

Joe

[AJMD429]

Few things frustrate me more than going to manufacturer's websites and reading boxes to try to figure out what data to plug in on a particular bullet, only to find it isn't listed anywhere easy to find. Of course some manufacturers inflate their bullet data, so that throws it off anyway.

Yep.

The BEST way to get the ballistic coefficient is probably to be daring and put your chronograph out about 100 yards, and get velocities there in addition to the 10-15 ft range like normal.

[BrentD]

Exactly.

a chrony with the "brains" separate from the "eyes" is a good thing.

Shoot at least 10 at each distance to calculate the BC.

[Blaine]

Or, you could look at the little graph on the ammo web sites, establish a ratio between the long/short range calculations, and extrapolate it out. Unless you are in a bench rest competition, you'll never notice a difference for hunting.