Best Ballistics Calculator

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Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by 308cool » 22 Aug 2016, 7:17 pm

Hi,
I was just wondering everyones thoughts on some of the most accurate ballistics calculators that are preferably free? I'm looking at calculating my Point Blank Range Zero.
Cheers
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by Gwion » 22 Aug 2016, 7:25 pm

There are quite a few.

JBM and Litz... Do you have accurate velocity data? If not you will only return approximate MPB. I learnt the hard way that guesstimates can be a big mistake!
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by bladeracer » 22 Aug 2016, 7:52 pm

308cool wrote:Hi,
I was just wondering everyones thoughts on some of the most accurate ballistics calculators that are preferably free? I'm looking at calculating my Point Blank Range Zero.
Cheers


I would think they'll all give the same sort of accuracy as the maths is pretty standard.

I find this one really quick and easy to use.
http://www.shooterscalculator.com/balli ... -chart.php

But it is lacking in some features.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by bladeracer » 22 Aug 2016, 7:58 pm

Gwion wrote:There are quite a few.

JBM and Litz... Do you have accurate velocity data? If not you will only return approximate MPB. I learnt the hard way that guesstimates can be a big mistake!



I agree, get a chono.
You can shoot groups at different ranges and then calculate the velocities based on the trajectory but it's much easier to calculate the trajectory from the velocity.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by petemacsydney » 22 Aug 2016, 7:59 pm

Finally started using strelok pro over the last few weekends. I love it. Very good and very accurate.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by on_one_wheel » 22 Aug 2016, 8:56 pm

petemacsydney wrote:Finally started using strelok pro over the last few weekends. I love it. Very good and very accurate.


+1 :thumbsup:
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by 308cool » 22 Aug 2016, 9:17 pm

Ahh, cheers guys.
Because I'm just using factory ammo at the moment, I was just going to input the data published by maker. Would this not be accurate enough do you think?
Cheers
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by bladeracer » 22 Aug 2016, 9:25 pm

308cool wrote:Ahh, cheers guys.
Because I'm just using factory ammo at the moment, I was just going to input the data published by maker. Would this not be accurate enough do you think?
Cheers



Probably.
All the rimfire ammo I've chrono'ed runs very close to claimed spec but I've never chrono'ed any factory centrefire as I've hardly ever used any.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by on_one_wheel » 22 Aug 2016, 10:00 pm

308cool wrote:Ahh, cheers guys.
Because I'm just using factory ammo at the moment, I was just going to input the data published by maker. Would this not be accurate enough do you think?
Cheers


One of my favorite sayings applies here ... Rough enough for out bush.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by 308cool » 23 Aug 2016, 12:15 am

Alright I'll give a few ago, however just a question with the JBM, if I enter the vital zone as a 2.5" radius (so a 5" wide circle - a standard that could be used for pigs/goats/deer?) and it gives me a sight in range of say 200 meters, is there an application to convert the 200 meters into a certain height or drop in a 50 meter sight in (for example 1.8" high @ 50m)?
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by bladeracer » 23 Aug 2016, 12:20 am

308cool wrote:Alright I'll give a few ago, however just a question with the JBM, if I enter the vital zone as a 2.5" radius (so a 5" wide circle - a standard that could be used for pigs/goats/deer?) and it gives me a sight in range of say 200 meters, is there an application to convert the 200 meters into a certain height or drop in a 50 meter sight in (for example 1.8" high @ 50m)?



Any calculator should let you set whatever zero range you want. Put in a 200 meter (220yd) zero, then see what the trajectory is at 50m.
I don't recommened zeroing at close range, but if you do be sure to shoot it at 200m as well to confirm it is on zero.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by Gwion » 23 Aug 2016, 6:54 am

When you generate the drop table if will tell you where you should be at 50 or 100, etc. you can then sight it at the closer range but as stated above, make sure you confirm with a group at the actual zero range.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by 308cool » 23 Aug 2016, 11:31 am

Edit #2:
I spoke to the people at silverdale range and I think my plan of attack is to find how high or low I need to shoot at their 25m sighting range, using JBM's MPBR trajectory calculator. Then once I've done that I'll confirm it at their 200 yard range and see if I'm roughly where I should be @ 200 yards, with JBM's trajectory.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by Gwion » 23 Aug 2016, 9:28 pm

Honestly think 25m/yd is way too close to set any MPB zero, except for a 22lr. Maybe start at 50.

If you do start at 25, I'd do a 5 round group at 50, 100 & 200 to get an idea where you are in relation to your drop chart.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by 308cool » 23 Aug 2016, 10:31 pm

Thanks for the reply.
That sounds like a good idea. The other reason I want to start at 25, is so I can properly see where I'm hitting. Since I'm really only going to go to the range to sight in, I obviously wont buy a spotting scope to be able to accurately see where I'm hitting the target. One thing I forgot to ask, do most ranges have a break where you can go out and look at your target?
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by RoginaJack » 24 Aug 2016, 5:19 pm

Winchester has a very easy to use Ballistic calculator on their site.

http://www.winchester.com/learning-cent ... lator.aspx
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by Osty » 15 Sep 2017, 8:26 am

Reviving an old thread with this post but sharing is caring. After reading this I came across a free version of Strelok Pro for Android devices. If anyone is interested you can download the apk installer file here;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1Z_UILNnva5X3FZdS11cWliQnM/view?usp=drivesdk

As it's a non-market app you'll need to allow Android to install apps from "unknown sources" in Settings >> Security >> Device Administration. Cheers.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by monbeg » 15 Sep 2017, 1:28 pm

petemacsydney wrote:Finally started using strelok pro over the last few weekends. I love it. Very good and very accurate.


x 2 :thumbsup:
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by sungazer » 15 Sep 2017, 2:35 pm

The bench mark would have to be JBM.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by Yipikaye » 17 Sep 2017, 8:59 am

Now I've setup strelok pro properly it's always bang on.
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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by Gwion » 18 Sep 2017, 11:39 am

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Re: Best Ballistics Calculator

Post by Gwion » 20 Sep 2017, 7:45 am

Perhaps so but he is a well respected ballistician and widely considered a leading authority. The JBM calc has options for 'Litz' calculated BCs on certain pre-loaded bullets. I do find his branded calculator quite user friendly.
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