Ballistics Calculators and BC

[Billygoat1]

New to long range shooting, so please forgive the possible stupid question:

Are the various calculators available (either on the web or phone) programed so that the ballistic coefficient changes as the velocity changes? For instance, my bullet’s BC is one figure at the muzzle, but a different BC 600 yards downrange since the velocity has dropped. Do the ballistics calculators take this into account when determining drop?

The reason I ask is because I was talking to a guy at Federal Premium Ballistics Calculator and he said they use a static BC number for the entire range in their calculation. That seems odd to me so I am wondering if they all do that since BC becomes pretty important farther down range.

Any particular app or program I should look at that has a more dynamic BC in making its calculation?

 

[Conaso]

Strelok and others allow both single and multi-BC based on velocity.

 

[ShtrRdy]

If a bullet has different BC for a specific velocity range then you have to enter the ranges yourself. This will typically be for a G1 Ballistic Coefficient.

If you are using a G7 Ballistic Coefficient then a single number for BC will usually suffice. This is because the G7 drag curve is very close to matching the drag curve of our modern long range bullets. i.e. long ogive and a boat tail.

 

[Long Range 338]

Many calculators allow you to use multiple BC numbers to account for the velocity loss. Others use a "custom drag" approach that uses doppler radar information at distance.
It really matters how far you are shooting. If you are 800 yards and closer, one BC number should be good enough. If you are going to a mile or further things most certainly change and you may even have to set up a couple of different profiles (one for 1200 yards and in and another for further) to really get things to match up to your real world results.
Applied Ballistics does a good job and even more so if you purchases the custom drag model for the individual bullets but it does get expensive. Hornady's 4DOF also does a great job and is free so its very hard to beat. Most of the other popular ones allow for multiple BCs to help match your dope. Also many if not all allow for free limited use to try out the interface and see which one you like best. I've got 6 or so and they all do a pretty good job. Keep in mind each one offers different features as well such as kestrel integration, mapping, exporting of range cards, etc. Here's a list of the calculators I'm acquainted with:

Trasol
Hornady 4DOF
Applied Ballistics
Ballistic Arc
Strelok
Ballistic AE
Bullet Flight

 

[Deleted member 10043]

It's Strelok Pro version. It also has Lapua drag settings.