Per the instructions I found on Hornady's website:
Axial Form Factor:
Allows the shooter to adjust the average Drag Coefficient (Cd) curve for each projectile listed in the calculator, higher or lower, to match his/her specific barrel, propellant, twist rate, rifling, muzzle brake, etc. (all these variables have an effect on the drag performance of a projectile).
- Insert all other input information
- Leave Axial Form Factor input at the standard (1.0)
- Shoot your rifle, then measure the elevation deviation, as accurately as possible, from the trajectory solution given in the calculator to that of what was shot. NOTE: Shoot at the farthest distance you can without compromising the ability to get an accurate point of aim/point of impact results in order to measure deviation.
- Adjust the Axial Form Factornumber either up to drop, or down to elevate the trajectory given in the calculator until it matches the trajectory you shot.
- If impacts are HIGHER than the predicted trajectory, DECREASE the Axial Form Factor number until the predicted and actual trajectory match.
- If impacts are LOWER than the predicted trajectory, INCREASE the Axial Form Factor number until the predicted and actual trajectory match.
- Keep the Axial Form Factor number for the gun, bullet, and load you shot somewhere for safe keeping. This number is specific to that rifle and load and should be used to calculate accurate trajectory information anytime you use the Hornady 4DOF® Ballistic Calculator.