Most commonly used on smartphones or tablets, the ballistic App is downloaded to a mobile device and can be used directly in the field. Trajectory data can be printed out and taken into the field. This type of solver is available for desktops or laptops, either as a program to be installed or viewed on the internet. Screenshot of an iPhone 6 with BulletFlight (M) Which ballistic calculator should I get?īefore we answer that question, let’s look at the different types of solvers available: Furthermore, I can accomplish the same thing with MOA or MIL-based stadia on a standard reticle with the help of a ballistic calculator. They can be fairly accurate for a lot of the shooting we do, even beyond the conditions they’re calibrated for, but fairly accurate isn’t really what we’re after. Because of this, they will only be as precise as a ballistic calculator in those conditions. Want to know how much drop and wind deflection a particular cartridge has at 1000 yards? Or the trajectory difference when you travel from sea level to 6,000 feet to hunt elk? A ballistic solver can answer those questions and more.Ī ballistic reticle or turret is only calibrated for a certain set of environmental conditions and ammunition specs. It will be one of the least expensive investments you’ll make. There’s no compelling reason not to use a ballistic calculator if you’re interested in long range shooting. Do I really need one? Isn’t a ballistic reticle or turret just as good? Click HERE for more information on trajectory validation.Ĭareful trajectory validation should be done with any ballistic calculator. It’s usually very close, but the solver typically needs to be trued to work properly.Īlso known as trajectory validation, truing is the process of calibrating the ballistic calculator, ammunition, and scope to work accurately together. In a perfect world, all of the inputs would be accurate and the ballistic calculator would give us the exact correction needed to pinwheel the target. The solver then uses an algorithm to compute a trajectory correction based on the gun profile stored in the solver. When you prepare to take the shot, the environmental inputs and range to target are entered into the ballistic calculator. Wind direction, wind speed, Coriolis, and spin drift are also classified as environmental conditions. Air pressure is typically referred to as station pressure, or when combined with air temperature, density altitude. Environmental conditions include air pressure, air temperature, and humidity. The variable parts of the equation are the environmental conditions and target distance. The profile is the constant of the equation it stays the same and consists of inputs such as scope height, muzzle velocity (MV), and the bullet’s ballistic coefficient (BC). To make a ballistic calculator work accurately, you start by building what is commonly called a profile. Depending on the solver, there can be a few more variables it will account for, but all of them correct for those three influences on the bullet’s travel.įield testing the Kestrel 5700 Elite w/ LiNK How do they work? The ballistic calculator’s sole purpose is to take the information we feed it, and calculate a correction for gravity, air resistance, and wind deflection. Also known as a ballistic app, solver, or engine, the ballistic calculator is used to convert environmental data and target information into a trajectory correction we can use to hit a long range target. I’ll also share my recommendations for some of the ones I’ve used. In this article I’ll outline what ballistic calculators are, how they work, and why you need one. Some of the most frequent questions I see in emails or on forums have to do with the ballistic calculator. It’s no surprise, considering how many options there are along with an equal number of opinions concerning which ones are the best. If you’re new to the world of long range shooting or hunting, you’ve no doubt wondered which ballistic calculator you should use.