Ballistics Equations

Dale Patterson · May 3, 2021, 08:57 AM

I am looking for ballistics equations, primarily bullet drop and loss of velocity over distance. I've googled for hours but cannot any equations. What I am looking for is basically found on http://www.cleverinsite.com/ballistics/calcs.asp. I have 34 calibers (handgun and rifle) that I am currently looking at however, and do not want to have to sit and plug each one in. Does anyone know the equation that was used to generate this table?

Thanks

Jim Watson · May 3, 2021, 09:26 AM

If you had an "equation" wouldn't you still have to plug in data for each load?
There isn't a single equation that spits out velocity and trajectory; there are multiple calculations and I assume the present computer programs contain the vast Ingalls lookup tables.

Dale Patterson · May 3, 2021, 09:39 AM

For plugging in, I am using a program to do so, it will go through each caliber, using common weights, calculate and save. Realizing that there are a lot of factors that determine the velocity of a bullet, I was hoping that there was a 'generic' equation where I could plug in weight of bullet, coefficient, muzzle velocity and get the estimated velocity for various distances. Are these Ingall tables available in spreadsheets? Thanks

Jim Watson · May 3, 2021, 09:53 AM

The only place I have ever seen the Ingalls tables is 'Hatcher's Notebook'.
I don't know that the internet calculators have lookup tables, maybe they calculate everything from first principles. I think that involves numerical integration but it has been a long time since I read about it in any detail.

Good luck.

ghbucky · May 3, 2021, 11:24 AM

Hornady makes a smart phone App (Hornady Ballistics) that gives you the option of 2 different calculation models (4DOF and G1/G7) as well as lookups for a lot of off the shelf ammunition types. That may be helpful.

burrhead · May 3, 2021, 02:25 PM

JBM Ballistics has several calculators.

https://www.jbmballistics.com/ballis...culators.shtml

Destructo6 · May 4, 2021, 11:51 AM

Google, "projectile motion" and take a look. There's a pretty good wikipedia article: choose your equation, plug in your data and test the results.

**Aguila Blanca** · May 4, 2021, 12:07 PM

I can't imagine how trying to run the calculations yourself would be faster or easier than entering the data into a program and letting it crunch the numbers. I like Point Blank, which is free:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...tics-software/

jmr40 · May 5, 2021, 09:01 PM

There are several online calculators. You need to find the bullets BC and approximate muzzle velocity. Obviously the more accurate the info you put in the more accurate info you're going to get. Having a chronograph is best, but you can approximate MV from ballistics charts.

I use this, but they all do the same thing. I'm just familiar with this one.

https://www.hornady.com/team-hornady...alculators/#!/

May 3, 2021, 08:57 AM	#1
Dale Patterson Junior Member Join Date: May 2, 2021 Posts: 3	Ballistics Equations I am looking for ballistics equations, primarily bullet drop and loss of velocity over distance. I've googled for hours but cannot any equations. What I am looking for is basically found on http://www.cleverinsite.com/ballistics/calcs.asp. I have 34 calibers (handgun and rifle) that I am currently looking at however, and do not want to have to sit and plug each one in. Does anyone know the equation that was used to generate this table? Thanks

May 3, 2021, 02:25 PM	#6
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,149	JBM Ballistics has several calculators. https://www.jbmballistics.com/ballis...culators.shtml __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

May 4, 2021, 11:51 AM	#7
Destructo6 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 1999 Location: Nogales, AZ USA Posts: 4,016	Google, "projectile motion" and take a look. There's a pretty good wikipedia article: choose your equation, plug in your data and test the results. __________________ God gave you a soul. Your parents, a body. Your country, a rifle. Keep all of them clean.

May 4, 2021, 12:07 PM	#8
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 19,051	I can't imagine how trying to run the calculations yourself would be faster or easier than entering the data into a program and letting it crunch the numbers. I like Point Blank, which is free: http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...tics-software/ __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

May 5, 2021, 09:01 PM	#9
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,976	There are several online calculators. You need to find the bullets BC and approximate muzzle velocity. Obviously the more accurate the info you put in the more accurate info you're going to get. Having a chronograph is best, but you can approximate MV from ballistics charts. I use this, but they all do the same thing. I'm just familiar with this one. https://www.hornady.com/team-hornady...alculators/#!/ __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

May 3, 2021, 09:26 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,187	If you had an "equation" wouldn't you still have to plug in data for each load? There isn't a single equation that spits out velocity and trajectory; there are multiple calculations and I assume the present computer programs contain the vast Ingalls lookup tables.

May 3, 2021, 09:39 AM	#3
Dale Patterson Junior Member Join Date: May 2, 2021 Posts: 3	For plugging in, I am using a program to do so, it will go through each caliber, using common weights, calculate and save. Realizing that there are a lot of factors that determine the velocity of a bullet, I was hoping that there was a 'generic' equation where I could plug in weight of bullet, coefficient, muzzle velocity and get the estimated velocity for various distances. Are these Ingall tables available in spreadsheets? Thanks

May 3, 2021, 09:53 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,187	The only place I have ever seen the Ingalls tables is 'Hatcher's Notebook'. I don't know that the internet calculators have lookup tables, maybe they calculate everything from first principles. I think that involves numerical integration but it has been a long time since I read about it in any detail. Good luck.

May 3, 2021, 11:24 AM	#5
ghbucky Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2020 Posts: 1,187	Hornady makes a smart phone App (Hornady Ballistics) that gives you the option of 2 different calculation models (4DOF and G1/G7) as well as lookups for a lot of off the shelf ammunition types. That may be helpful.