Learning Ballistics Calculations

[DECreedmoor21]

Hi all,

I am new to precision rifles and will be shooting my new rifle for the first time at 600 yards this Sunday. Does anyone know of any videos or websites to begin learning ballistics calculations/MOA calculations, etc?

I’ve been watching some YouTube videos but not sure what is legit and what is just smoke.

Any help appreciated!

-Joe

 

[spife7980]

First off: do you have gear capable of making these corrections?

Basically you just enter the data that the app requires and it will spit out an answer. Sight height over bore, twist rate, velocity etc. Then youll either chose from the library or manually enter the info on your bullet, length bc weight caliber etc. Then youll enter the weather. Then you simply dial in the correction it calls for into your scope.

Sounds hard but its not, its just dependent on you entering in good info. If you give it incorrect info it can only give you an incorrect output.

 

[Bob2650]

Applied Ballistics is one of the best apps but they don't have my scope reticle.
Strelok does have my reticle in the free version and it works well.
There are many others but reading and understanding the instructions for those two phone apps will provide a good foundational understanding of the process.
The small amount of money they charge for the full versions of the phone apps is more than made up in ammo costs up by getting on paper quickly. If you have a good zero at 100 yards either of these apps will make it relatively easy to get on paper with the first shot if you enter accurate data and shoot well.

 

[Lowlight]

A ballistic calculate is to manage your changes, understanding you have to adjust the computer to match the rifle as the rifle can never match the computer.

if you truly want to "Learn" ballistics in any meaningful way, an App is not the answer. You shot and record actual data then line up the computer to match so when conditions change, the necessary changes to your data are handled seamlessly.

Here is a better way of learning and doping your rifle that is not caliber specific, and will work for both Mils and MOA.

It uses real world data from your rifle system and gives you dope out to distance minus all the App variables.

 

[Bob2650]

I agree with Lowlight.
Using an app is like using a GPS in the truck. It will get you there but you don't really know how at the level you would if you used a map and figured everything out yourself.

 

[DECreedmoor21]

A ballistic calculate is to manage your changes, understanding you have to adjust the computer to match the rifle as the rifle can never match the computer.

if you truly want to "Learn" ballistics in any meaningful way, an App is not the answer. You shot and record actual data then line up the computer to match so when conditions change, the necessary changes to your data are handled seamlessly.

Here is a better way of learning and doping your rifle that is not caliber specific, and will work for both Mils and MOA.
View attachment 7173875

It uses real world data from your rifle system and gives you dope out to distance minus all the App variables.

Thank you so much this is so helpful! Guess I have a lot more learning to do then I thought.
Downloaded the ballistics app you mentioned so I will give this all a try this weekend. Appreciate the help so much!

 

[seansmd]

I would also suggest shooting with someone who knows this stuff and can glass for you and observe your fundamentals and the POI results. You can end up chasing up and down based on shooter fundamentals, bad zero, equipment setup, etc.

The weaponized math assumes you have a good zero at a confirmed distance, and good repteapable equipment, and reasonably solid fundamentals.