Ballistic calculator/rangefinder/kestrel questions

[Jay03]

I moved this, think I may have been in the wrong section.

I am setting up a rifle that I plan to shoot out to 800-1000 yards when possible. This will be the first time I have built a rifle used primarily for long range. My plans are targets, and maybe some rock chucks and coyotes. The rifle is a 6.5x47Lapua with a nightforce ATACR 5-25(waiting for it still). So my questions are about the equipment used to get the right elevation and windage dialed in the scope.

I have a leica 1200 rangefinder and currently have a kestrel 4000 or 4500 non ballistic weather meter(I forgot witch one Ill have to look).

So with the stuff I have currently could I get the applied ballistics app for a smart phone and enter the data? Or is the dedicated AB kestrel necessary? Also is there anything about the 1600B leica that's a must have over my 1200 if I am using a ballistic calculator and kestrel?

I don't mind the money aspect but already having what I do currently 30 more for the app to at least get me started seems like it could be a good way to start and maybe upgrade to the better kestrel down the road.

Since I am not familiar with any of the ballistic apps could someone with some first hand knowledge help spell it out for me how they would work in my proposed configuration or with the AB kestrel and what the differences would be.

I have done some searching and reading but cant seem to find much info on using a basic kestrel with applied ballistics. Thanks

 

[dok7mm]

To save the dollars, I would (and did) go with basic Kestral and AB app on my phone. It may be a tad slower but it's offset by the better visibility on phone. I have had good results also with Shooter app, though AB has some extras. Either way, you'll need to adjust for scope tracking and also for actual drop data. Good luck

 

[Jay03]

So since I have the rangfinder and kestrel already the app on my phone should get me there. Good, also once the app is purchased can I load it on two smart phones or does it need to be purchased twice. I have my old phone still but no service. It sill can work on wifi so I thought about wiping it clean and basically re-purposing it into a shooting PDA like device. Would that work? Its a pretty decent phone. Razor MAXX I believe.

 

[dok7mm]

Pretty sure it would require 2 purchases, but not positive. I have a razr maxx and have wondered if that would work as a stand alone platform. Main problem is the battery is built in on mine and would die as soon as I got it set up or when I needed it the most. I am gonna have to get new phone soon and have considered checking out if I could somehow have new battery installed in old phone for that purpose.

 

[Greyfox]

I was able to load Shooter on both my IPad and IPhone with the same purchase. I believe if you use the same App Store ID and PW for the application, you can run multiple devices. BYW, Shooter is an excellent ballistic program and easy to use.

 

[Jay03]

So are more of you using shooter or applied balistics? Do they basically do the same things?

 

[Greyfox]

So are more of you using shooter or applied balistics? Do they basically do the same things?

I jave both and they basicly will do the sme thing. This is purely a matter of personal taste, but I prefer the the Shooter interface for speed, ease of programming, and output presentation. I would recomend the advanced version of Shooter. An added note: When used with my Kestral and Terrapin, iShooter matches the drop output of my G7RF exactly.

 

[EXPRESS]

I have the Kestrel 4500 AB and the Ballistic AE and Shiiter apps. The apps work ok, but I have found the Kestrel to be more reliable, having excellent atmospheric and calculation capacity.

Obviously then apps will get you to where you want to go, and are much cheaper.
However I prefer the Kestrel, mainly because the battery life is not an issue and it is more robust than a phone. It is a bit clumsy to use and the display is bog standard, but I've used it to make first round hits out to 1400 yards in very varied conditions where the apps were off.

Of the two apps, I prefer Ballistic AE in layout and features, but Shooter uses DA which makes it much better for me. If the other app used DA it would be perfect.