Calculating Ballistics of Reloads

[MissionaryMike]

Ok, so I'm a few hundred rounds into reloading my own 9mm and .45 acp cartridges. I'd like to zero my reloads to 25 yards. Once that's done, is there a way to calculate how much north and south my hits on target will be at certain yardages, say 10 yards and 50 yards?

Thanks,

MM

[Bkreutz]

get a book on ballistics (or do a web search would work too). Not a quick answer to your question. Bullet drop is influenced by bullet shape, bullet speed, range, (and lots of other things like the rotation of the earth, relative humidity, pressure altitude etc etc. This is why snipers have little ballistic computers strapped to their arm ) Easiest way it to zero at 25, then shoot at big targets at various ranges to figure out your hold.

[Hi-Power Jack]

Best to actually try them.

If you're using reloads for IDPA/USPSA, sighting in at 15 - 25 yards is probably all you need,

and they should be pretty close everywhere else.

Nice to try some 5-8 yard and 40-50 yard shots, though, just to make sure.

[bfalcon00]

Try this.

http://www.handloads.com/calc/index.html

[9x45]

If you have zero at 40 yards, it will be good all the way to 2 yards. The cone is reversed, a 6" diameter group at 40 yards is only 3" at 20 and 1.5" at 10 yards. That's plenty enough accuracy for USPSA/IDPA

[Hi-Power Jack]

If you have zero at 40 yards, it will be good all the way to 2 yards. The cone is reversed, a 6" diameter group at 40 yards is only 3" at 20 and 1.5" at 10 yards. That's plenty enough accuracy for USPSA/IDPA

Sounds good to me.