Help Simplify It

[Reelamin]

Hello, I am ready to step out past 600yards and start dialing in exact hold for my hunting. I think I have the gear stuff figured out, but I have no desire to do a bunch of math calculations. I know it is me....but man this stuff seems super confusing and I can't imagine I will have that much time.

I will be getting a PDA with the Night Force Program. Can I just enter in the distance, angle, Barometric Pressure, Elevation, Temperature, wind speed, etc. with a known bullet at a known FPS, and it will tell me how many clicks to adjust my scope?

 

[midnightmalloy]

If you want easier then g7 rangefinder and get a gunwerks setup. Done no ballistics programs

 

[grit]

Hello, I am ready to step out past 600yards and start dialing in exact hold for my hunting. I think I have the gear stuff figured out, but I have no desire to do a bunch of math calculations. I know it is me....but man this stuff seems super confusing and I can't imagine I will have that much time.

I will be getting a PDA with the Night Force Program. Can I just enter in the distance, angle, Barometric Pressure, Elevation, Temperature, wind speed, etc. with a known bullet at a known FPS, and it will tell me how many clicks to adjust my scope?

Exactly. For example, it'll tell you 10.5 MOA for 600 yards. Just turn to ten and a half (No counting clicks) and hold dead on. You don't do the math. Just gotta feed the PDA good info.

It really is simple. A day doing it and you'll have it down.

 

[Scot E]

No need to worry about math. The ballistic program will take care of it for you. The biggest thing is making sure you know your software inside and out so you get everything entered correctly. Then you MUST verify that your software numbers match your real world results.

Not trying to change you mind on gear but I think there are easier to use and cheaper ways to go than the PDA and exbal. If you have an android or apple type product already you can get some excellent programs like shooter for around $10.

Scot E.

 

[SBruce]

In theory, yes. It's that simple. The program will generally get us on a big piece of paper or "close" at extended distances, but that's only the first step.

In reality, our drops and drifts need to be verified with real range practice at the distances we intend on shooting at, and then the program tweaked to match our real world results. I've seen over a foot difference in elevation at 1000 yds from what the program said.

Have you verified your scope adjustments really move the poi the advertised amounts? Do your trajectories match your program really close out to 600 so far? If yes to both of the above, then you're probably gonna be really close once you get out to 700 and 800 too. I'd Just shoot paper or steel or a rock or something beyond 600 and try it. Wind is the kicker, what it's doing between us and the target at the moment the bullet travels through it has a huge effect once we get out there a ways.

One thing with the Nightforce on the PDA, make sure you update/save any environmental changes you make just before the shot and then re-open the drop chart/hit calculate. Sometimes when we change the distance or wind or temp, it doesn't take effect in the program until we update/save the change and re-open the fireing solution page. Also, you may have to do a "trajectory validation" or tweak the BC some or change the click value, to get exact matches to your real world results..................I know this may not sound simple, but it's really not complicated. Just takes some doing it.

 

[Trikstr]

Like was mentioned previously you need to check real world drops. I was shooting at 1000 and 1550 yds and hitting HIGH using the BC from Hornady book on some fireforming loads. Had to adjust BC up by .105 to get program to give correct MOA come ups. Gonna try some more on paper next days off.

 

[Reelamin]

All, Thanks a lot and I appreciate all your information. I do have some experience with long range shooting....but everything is doped and logged and I have all the time I need. I have been a LE Sniper or PC version "Marksman/Observer" for the last 18 years. Trained by the military and LE, and yes we did all the math and mils, but as soon as we left class never used it again. If a piece of equipment does not work...they just bring us a new one. The enviroment I would use at work is nothing like the enviroment/terrain I hunt in. We train and shoot out to 600, but very little in reality. 90% of our shootingis 300 and in.

I also am an avid hunter both rifle and archery. I know it sounds crazy...but I have never had adjustable turrets on any of my big game rifles. I just use hold and my taped on dope card. I have not had a failure well past 500yds with many different opportunities in a big game hunting enviroment.
The reason I am going to start shooting long range 1000yds+ is because I hunt public land general season Elk in Wa. So unless I have a permit (took 11 years to draw the last one) I have to shoot a spike. Plus Wa totally sucks for the number of hunters and ease of access so the opportunities to kill a legal bull are limited to say the least.
I am tired of having legal bulls at 900-1300 yards and no way to kill them. If I move by the time I get into a shootable position the elk have moved or been pushed out. This may seem strange to some...but the bottom line is if you don't kill it within minutes of seeing it....probably not going to happen.

I have also been reloading for over 30years and at least 15 different rifle calibers. I am confident I can get my current set up (300Rum Sporter Weight rifle) to shrink it's groups. Currently it will shoot 5/.75 180 Partition@3400 using brand new never fired neck sized brass. I am sending it off today to have a brake installed. I have some Bergers and my once fired brass to start doing the details with.

G7 rangefinder....way out of my price range. I just don't have the funds at this point. I currently have a LRF1200, that I will be selling to purchase a CRF1600. This is a hard one because my 1200 is dead nuts...and gets me quality readings to over 1200 on game. I do have great optics for bino and spotter (Swaro) so ability to determine legal animals can be done at long distances.

I have always verified everything at actual measured real world ranges...but only flat ground. I agree data is important but has to be verified.

I have a Leupold 6.5-20 that tracks dead nuts every time. Verified with a hyper accurate heavy BR target rifle. I bought it surplus when they replaced our "old" scopes with new 3.5-10 Mark 4's.

No smart phone...not going to get one....just replaced my flip phone that I dropped in the water. This one is actually water resistant...but is still just a normal old flip phone.

Thanks again and I'm sure I will be back as soon as my used $30 PDA shows up if not before.

 

[grit]

Sounds like you're in great shape. Shawn Carlock of Defensive Edge put out a superb how to video. He explains everything quite well. He's LE also. The video is very entertaining and a must have, in my opinion. In fact, all his videos are great. He teaches a class also.

defensiveedge.net

Give him a call. I'm sure you'd enjoy the conversation.