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Ballistic software - whats good?

Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:46 pm
by AussieDave
Does anyone have experience with a ballistic program that allows you to compute POI shift (from existing POI) when changing bullet weights (given you can also add in the other variables such as fps, BC etc).

Currently my rifle is sighted in using my standard load and to then change to a differnt load requires resighting the rifle. I can of course do this all manually by measuring POI movement but was wondering if such a ballistic program exists.

The only programs I have come across calculate elevation, windage etc for a given load at a given zero range.

Thanks in advance if you can help.

Dave

Re: Ballistic software - whats good?

Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:55 pm
by Squatting Wolf
I recently picked up Sierra's Infinity Ballistic software which gives you multiple trajectory charts and graphics, point blank range, calculate zero, uphill/downhill shooting, maximum range, minute of angle, profiled wind and all kinds of atmospherics variables that you can play with among a bunch of other stuff.

I haven't had a chance to play with it much but if Rick comes along he might be able to comment a little more on the software.

Re: Ballistic software - whats good?

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:44 pm
by scootertrash
For external ballistics such as you seek, I use Ken Oehler's "Ballistic Explorer". It does what you are asking. You can set up three different "traces" to compare them side by side at one time.

For internal ballistics, I use Quickload.

Mike

Re: Ballistic software - whats good?

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:18 pm
by Rick in Oregon
Scooter above has it spot-on. Quick-Load is probably the very best of the lot by far, and anything Dr. Oehler puts out just has to be the cats meow.

When I purchased my first ballistics software, it was the RCBS.Load....barely adequate. About a year ago I upgraded to Sierra Infinity 6.0 because funds were limited at the time, but if I had my druthers, I'd set up exactly as scootertrash has described. I'd be able to afford that combination IF I'd quit buying rifles, scopes, and the hard as chicken lips to find these days......components! :?

If you don't want to blow the farm on this purchase, then Sierra Infinity 6.0 is about the best choice. But if you want to spend more, then Quick-Load is the way to go IMHO.

Re: Ballistic software - whats good?

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 2:07 pm
by Ray P
The "BOY's" have it spot on with Sierra's infinty 6 program. Quik Load also incoporates Quick target in there program. But you can only compare one load/ bullet combination at a time. Exbal from nightforce is good for field use, but only one one load / bullet combination at a time, not 3 like sierra allows. You can input loads and dump them to printer to compare. From what I hear Olher has the longest yardage out to 3500 yards, Quick Load and Exbal both go to 2500 yards.
Later
Ray P

Re: Ballistic software - whats good?

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 4:56 pm
by acloco
RIO/all, you can still do the same with Sierra's program. Export the info into excel and use the graphing function.

Re: Ballistic software - whats good?

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:04 pm
by AussieDave
Hi Folks thanks for all the replys.

Looks like Im off hunting for the Sierra software.

Cheers

AussieDave

Re: Ballistic software - whats good?

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:56 pm
by 22shooter
I have using LOAD FROM A DISK for several years. It has some excellent features. There is an extensive bullet database including bullet manufactures such as barnes, berger, lapua, swift, woodleigh and all major ones . Good external ballistics and good graphic for trajectories. It also allows what if calculatlions concerning wildcat designs. You can calculate ballastic coefficent three different way.

I bought the Sierra program several years ago and found that it was not to my liking.