Weather meter + ballistic solver

[50wt]

I dont want to rely on electronics, but seems as though its almost necessary when shooting at distances beyond 500yds.

Garmin and Kestrel seem to be the major players in this segment. Are there others ? Is the AB software an absolute must have option ?

 

[vicorjh]

Is the AB software an absolute must have option ?

No. But it's a pretty good solver. I use it for reloads that have been chrono'd. They also have a decent library for off-the-shelf ammunition. There are alternatives that are less expensive. Or, for that matter, creating a dope book for various scenarios as an option.

As fair as environmental data, I enter information that's provided by a Sig Kilo. It provides ranging, humidity, temperature, and atmospheric pressure. But, really, only when reaching out. Temperature having the most effect of those three, mostly having to do with the temperature of the powder in the ammo ... e.g. initial velocity. The progressive burn rate changes depending on powder sensitivity to temperature. Ignoring wind calls.

For instance,
6.5CM @500yards, 70 degrees F, 25% RH: ~-47 inches drop.
6.5CM @500yards, 80 degrees F, 25% RH: ~-40 inches drop.

 

[cockpitbob]

Past 500y it is ALL about reading the wind. A wind meter is nice, but the wind downrange is likely to be very different, so you learn the visual clues: mainly mirage, plants moving in the breeze and flags if you're at a range with them.

Wind direction can shift too quickly to keep up with typing in an app. For me, a fun part of long range shooting is learning to do the mental math for the wind direction. It really matters. A 10mph wind from 12 o'clock doesn't matter. If it shifts to 1:00 it's now a "half value wind " and acts like a 5mph crosswind.

 

[rogerk]

I’m done with my kestrel for the season if you’d like to try it out before committing. For PRS style shooting it’s been beyond helpful. Shoot me a message if you’d like