Bullet Drop / Trajectory Calculator
Drop, wind drift, velocity, and energy at any range, using the standard G1 drag model.
How this works
The calculator steps the bullet forward in small time increments, slowing it at each step according to its ballistic coefficient and the current air density, then compares the resulting path to a straight line from muzzle to your zero range. That's the "path relative to line of sight" number.
Wind drift uses the lag-time method: the difference between how long the bullet actually took to reach that range and how long a wind-free bullet would have taken, multiplied by the crosswind component. A full 90° crosswind produces the most drift; a wind blowing straight down- or up-range produces none.
Why this is an estimate
Altitude, temperature, and pressure change air density, which changes drag — the calculator adjusts for all three. What it can't account for is your actual rifle, your actual ammunition lot, or a chronograph-verified muzzle velocity. Treat this as a load-development and holdover-planning tool, and confirm your real point of impact at the range before you hunt.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the calculator ask for a ballistic coefficient instead of just the bullet name?
Ballistic coefficient (BC) is what actually drives the drag math — the bullet name is just a label. Manufacturers publish a BC for each bullet on the box or their website, so look it up there rather than guessing.
Does this account for wind?
Yes — the Wind Drift figure shown alongside drop comes from the same trajectory model, using the wind speed and angle you enter. It uses the standard lag-time method, the same approach most independent ballistic calculators use.
Why does my real rifle not match this exactly?
This model assumes your entered muzzle velocity is exact and that your bullet's BC matches the published value precisely — neither is ever perfectly true for a specific rifle and lot of ammunition. Treat the result as a strong starting point and confirm your actual drop at the range.
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