How to Use a Ballistic Computer for Long Range Shooting

While the term “ballistic computer” sounds like an arcane piece of gear from the Apollo Space Program, but its purpose is simple. It’s designed to help you predict where a bullet will land—before you fire.

Knowing How to use a ballistic computer can tell you lots of interesting things like:

How much a bullet will drop over distance.
How much the wind will blow your bullet sideways at different distances.
How fast your bullet is moving at different distances down range.
Energy on target based on the distance.
How many clicks to adjust your scope based on its milliradian or minute of angle turrets or reticle.
The time of flight.

And a much, much more…

If you're going to shoot long range, you'll need to know exactly what your bullet will do as it travels down range. Ballistic calculators provide those answers. — If you’re going to shoot long range, you’ll need to know exactly what your bullet will do as it travels down range. Ballistic calculators provide those answers.

When push comes to shove, the most common uses of a ballistic computer are to figure out exactly where to aim to hit a distant target on the first shot. Once you understand the basics of what information a ballistic computer requires, using one to positive effect is easy. Let’s look at some inputs you’ll need to get accurate information about your shot.

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