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I run BulletFlight on my iFone and refer to JBM for ballistic data to back up my drop tables, what do you F-B members use for initial drops when shooting and how accurate is it?

I have Peter Jackson's (Jackson Rifles) downloaded onto my blackberry. Its proven surprisingly accurate so far.

ovenpaa wrote:I run BulletFlight on my iFone and refer to JBM for ballistic data to back up my drop tables, what do you F-B members use for initial drops when shooting and how accurate is it?

its vey accurate,

if the data you input is crap you will get crap results

as with ALL atificial data you need to check it with real time shooting


also try isnipe for the boing

if you need further help with this give us a shout

I prefer BulletFlight to iSnipe. I got the full app when it was first released on offer for around GBP6.99 but it is a lot more expensive these days. It works perfectly for .308's with a S&B, and is equally good with .303 and my 7mm the only one it falls over on is Christels 22-6.5x47. It is perfect to 1000 yards but looses the plot from that point onwards. By 1200 yards she needs 3MOA less than calculated. It could be down to 'scope though. Odd that it is only in the top end of the turret elevation.

Interestingly I think my 42X Nightforce is out as well, when it says 1 MOA I reckon it is closer to 1.08MOA, the good news is I can take this into account with Bulletflight.

Hi guys,

I don't have the luxury of a ballistic computer just yet. I was considering something like a Kestrel Weather Meter with the built-in Horus ballistics software as a late Xmas gift but I digress. Any recommendations/advice would be appreciated.

Don't laught... it may seem crude to you guys but I've been using the Hornady online Ballistics Calculator. I have taken an educated guess for the muzzle velocity (from the reloading manual) and used the defaults for temperature and atmospheric pressure. I have created a number of small, laminated cards for differing wind speeds with the appropriate elevation and wind drift calculations.

I don't know how reliable it would be at the greater distances because I've only been shooting from 200-600 yards. I found it a really useful aid when I changed from a factory-loaded .308W 147-155gn cartridge to a handloaded 185gn cartridge.

lapua338 wrote:Hi guys,

I don't have the luxury of a ballistic computer just yet. I was considering something like a Kestrel Weather Meter with the built-in Horus ballistics software as a late Xmas gift but I digress. Any recommendations/advice would be appreciated.

Don't laught... it may seem crude to you guys but I've been using the Hornady online Ballistics Calculator. I have taken an educated guess for the muzzle velocity (from the reloading manual) and used the defaults for temperature and atmospheric pressure. I have created a number of small, laminated cards for differing wind speeds with the appropriate elevation and wind drift calculations.

I don't know how reliable it would be at the greater distances because I've only been shooting from 200-600 yards. I found it a really useful aid when I changed from a factory-loaded .308W 147-155gn cartridge to a handloaded 185gn cartridge.

i would say that if you are guessing at your velocitiies you may find your drops quite a way off the actuall needed at extended ranges

lapua338 wrote:Hi guys,

I don't have the luxury of a ballistic computer just yet. I was considering something like a Kestrel Weather Meter with the built-in Horus ballistics software as a late Xmas gift but I digress. Any recommendations/advice would be appreciated.

Don't laught... it may seem crude to you guys but I've been using the Hornady online Ballistics Calculator. I have taken an educated guess for the muzzle velocity (from the reloading manual) and used the defaults for temperature and atmospheric pressure. I have created a number of small, laminated cards for differing wind speeds with the appropriate elevation and wind drift calculations.

I don't know how reliable it would be at the greater distances because I've only been shooting from 200-600 yards. I found it a really useful aid when I changed from a factory-loaded .308W 147-155gn cartridge to a handloaded 185gn cartridge.

http://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmtraj-5.1.cgi is without a doubt the best around and he is putting it into a hand held device later this year (It is in a beta stage already) These days I zero at 200m, put the MV or even estimated MV into JBM and shoot at 600m to confirm, I can tweak the MV slightly if needed to get it to conform to my calculated drops and with that I am on for 1000/1100/1200 or within an MOA or so. Once I have drops for 600/1000 it is back to JBM again to confirm and then I print a drop table out, laminate it and hang it off the scope.

The boing app is nice as it can calculate my drops in temperature extremes and even call the local weather stats in but if all else fails I have my tables attached and ready to use.

I cannot comment on the Kestrel/Horus combo as I have not seen one, what I can recommend is the TAS http://www.globalsecuritymarketing.com/tas_intro They are used by the UK Sniper teams, built to your rifle and your needs, cheap, robust and Dougie even says they are bullet proof (Literally!)

Thanks ovenpaa, they're both really useful links.

Personally, I use the most accurate method of shot placement - actually firing at a target on the range in question. I can't see the need for computing wind drift or drop at some range or other, when the only thing that matters is where the bullet ACTUALLY ends up. I just guess it, as it is a good test of what knowledge I have, and is a better way of learning elevations and windage.

Having said the above, it would be an interesting exercise I must admit, having a liking for technical things.

For example, my 260 shoots 2/3 the elevation of the 308/155 grain. I just use my 308 elevation and deduct 1/3 of the elevation, it is extremely accurate at all ranges I have tried so far. Within 1 MOA. windage is tougher, but is about half (is not 2/3 though that is clear enough) of the 308/155. I just call the windage like everyone does, and halve it.

Ballistics is not a hard science, there are still things that cannot be computed. No doubt it would be "close enough" for a first sighter, but then just call the rest on the fall of shot. Snipers do it, coached team shooters do it, it is only the first shot that we are talking about is it not?

I think the Kestrel is a good idea....we have one on the farm for wind readings etc for spraying crops. In a book we have been reading, it suggests that a wind meter is a good way to learn to accurately read flags/mirage.

woody_rod wrote:Personally, I use the most accurate method of shot placement - actually firing at a target on the range in question. I can't see the need for computing wind drift or drop at some range or other, when the only thing that matters is where the bullet ACTUALLY ends up. I just guess it, as it is a good test of what knowledge I have, and is a better way of learning elevations and windage.

.

i totally agree there with some off this statement all data must be checked with real time shooting but unless you are very luckey this practice cant be done when you are shooting 800 yards plus

i can shoot at ranges beyond this distance and too prove you are safe and will not miss the target you need to be on it from the off a drop chart will help you norrow the filed of missing down range



as for guessing drop at range , i hope you dont shoot live stuff at extended ranges because in my eyes that jsut plain stupid and unethical,