Persnickety shooters measure this distance and enter it into the variables because it makes a slight difference in downrange trajectory (maybe an inch at 500 yards.) With some large-objective scopes, this could be -1.75 or -2 inches. This reflects the average distance of the scope reticle above the bore. Trajectory shows where the bullet should strike at the various ranges. Energy lists kinetic energy remaining in the bullet at each distance. The Velocity line reflects the speed of the bullet at each downrange distance shown.

Wind Speed is assumed on this and other ballistics charts as coming from a right angle to the line of departure of the bullet. Temperature, Barometric Pressure and Relative Humidity are included because both change a bullet’s flight path by changing air density, which increases or decreases drag on the bullet. Most input variables are self-explanatory. We’ll cover numbered tables and charts in this space.Īt left is a chart from Hornady’s online Ballistic Calculator. All will become clear as you explore.Ī ballistic chart or table can appear as a graphic depiction of the bullet’s flight or as a table of columns listing a number of parameters. It’s like reading a map of Russia with place names in the Cyrillic alphabet.įear not, intrepid shooter. So we start investigating and quickly discover ballistics charts, which can be confusing.Īll of those columns, numbers and abbreviations can make your head spin.

We want to know why we should use Federal’s 110-grain Barnes Tipped Triple Shock instead of Winchester’s 130-grain Ballistic Silvertip instead of Remington’s 130-grain AccuTip Boat Tail or Hornady’s 130-grain Spire Point Interlock. 270 Weatherby, ammo to work in our rifle. We are no longer satisfied to know we must buy. Many of us, however, become curious, sometimes fascinated by ballistics. Some of the most successful hunters know nothing more about rifles than which cartridge to shoot through it, usually to deadly effect. The majority of hunters are not ballistics experts. All those columns, numbers and abbreviations become clear as you explore.

Point blank range calculator