Ballistic Coefficient Calculator

Result:

Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a measure of a projectile's ability to overcome air resistance in flight. This is an important factor in long range shooting. To calculate the ballistic coefficient, you usually need the following information:


  • Bullet weight (in grains): The mass of the projectile in grains.
  • Bullet diameter (in inches): The diameter of the projectile.
  • Muzzle velocity (in feet per second): The speed of the bullet as it leaves the barrel.
  • Drag Function or G1/G7 BC Value: This is a dimensionless number that represents the shape of the bullet and how it interacts with the air. Different shapes have different drag functions.

Assuming you have this information, you can use a ballistic coefficient calculator or formula to determine the ballistic coefficient.


Here is a simplified formula for the ballistic coefficient:


BC ≈ (bullet weight/diameter^2) x drag function


Let's put it into practice! Imagine a 168-grain .308 bullet firing at 2800 ft/s, with a G1 drag function of 0.462. plug it in:


BC ≈ (168 / 0.308^2) x 0.462

≈ 0.495

Now, let's say you have a 168-grain .308 caliber (0.308 inch) bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2800 feet per second and a G1 drag function of 0.462. Plugging in values:

So, the ballistic coefficient in this example is approximately 0.495. Please note that this is a general example, and you should use specific values for your bullet and load to get accurate results.

Ballistic Coefficient Calculator

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