Why does altitude and temperature matter for bullet drop?

Altitude and temperature change air density, which changes drag on the bullet. Entering your actual range conditions instead of default values measurably shifts drop and wind drift, especially past 400 yards.

What scope height should I use?

Use your scope’s actual center-to-bore measurement, not a generic rifle spec. Bullet path, MOA, and MRAD corrections are all calculated relative to this value and your zero distance.

How accurate is a G1 ballistics calculator for long-range shooting?

G1 models are solid for hunting and general-purpose loads but less precise for very-low-drag long-range bullets, where a true G7 calculator tracks closer to observed drop past 600-700 yards. Use the output as a strong starting point and confirm final corrections with verified dope at the range.

Ballistics Calculator — Free Drop Tables & Wind Drift | DownRange

Q: How do I pick a load in the ballistics calculator?

Choose a preset from the category dropdown (Rimfire through Magnum, including the full PRC family) or switch to Custom and enter your own bullet weight, ballistic coefficient, and muzzle velocity. Presets use published G1 BCs; for G7 BC bullets, multiply by roughly 2.0 to approximate G1.

Cartridge

MV (fps)

G1 BC

Wt (gr)

Environment

Altitude (ft MSL)

Temperature (°F)

Crosswind (mph, 90°)

Zero & Optic

Zero Distance

Scope Height (in above bore)

Max Range

2650 fps

0.470

G1 BC

100 yd

Zero

562 ft-lb

500yd E

Bullet path (±LOS)

Subsonic (<1,100 fps)

Range	Velocity	Energy	Bullet Path	Wind 10mph	↑MOA	↑MRAD	TOF
0 yd	2,650 fps	2,619	—	—	—	—	—
50 yd	2,479 fps	2,293	0.0"	0.3"	0.1	0.02	0.059s
100 yd ★	2,317 fps	2,002	0.0"	1.4"	0.0	0.00	0.121s
150 yd	2,162 fps	1,743	-1.6"	3.2"	1.0	0.29	0.188s
200 yd	2,015 fps	1,514	-5.0"	5.9"	2.4	0.70	0.260s
250 yd	1,874 fps	1,310	-10.6"	9.5"	4.1	1.18	0.337s
300 yd	1,739 fps	1,128	-18.7"	14.2"	5.9	1.73	0.420s
350 yd	1,609 fps	966	-29.6"	20.0"	8.1	2.35	0.510s
400 yd	1,483 fps	820	-43.9"	27.1"	10.5	3.05	0.607s
450 yd	1,357 fps	686	-62.2"	35.8"	13.2	3.84	0.713s
500 yd	1,228 fps	562	-85.2"	46.3"	16.3	4.73	0.829s
550 yd	1,107 fps	457	-114.0"	59.0"	19.8	5.76	0.958s
600 yd	1,009 fps	380	-149.9"	74.0"	23.9	6.94	1.100s
650 yd	933 fps	325	-194.4"	91.3"	28.6	8.31	1.255s
700 yd	872 fps	284	-248.8"	110.7"	33.9	9.87	1.421s
750 yd	820 fps	251	-314.7"	132.0"	40.1	11.66	1.599s
800 yd	774 fps	223	-393.5"	155.2"	47.0	13.66	1.787s
850 yd	732 fps	200	-486.9"	180.4"	54.7	15.91	1.987s
900 yd	694 fps	179	-596.6"	207.5"	63.3	18.41	2.198s
950 yd	658 fps	161	-724.4"	236.7"	72.8	21.18	2.421s
1000 yd	624 fps	145	-872.5"	268.1"	83.3	24.24	2.656s

READING THIS TABLE
Bullet Path — inches above (+) or below (−) line of sight; zeroed at selected distance. ↑MOA / ↑MRAD — scope correction to hit at that range; positive = dial up. Wind 10mph — full-value 90° crosswind drift; halve for 45°. Model: G1 drag function via 0.5ft numerical integration. For VLD/hybrid projectiles use G7 BC × 2.0 as approximate G1.

How to Use This Calculator

Four steps: pick a load, set your environment, dial in your zero, then read the table. Walk through them in order — each one feeds the next.

1. Pick a Load

Choose a preset from the category dropdown — Rimfire through Magnum, plus the full PRC family — or switch to Custom and enter your own bullet weight, ballistic coefficient (BC), and muzzle velocity from your handloads or factory ammo box. Presets use published G1 BCs; if you're loading a VLD or hybrid bullet with a G7 BC on the box, multiply it by roughly 2.0 to get an approximate G1 equivalent for this calculator.

2. Set the Environment

Altitude and temperature change air density, which changes drag — entering your actual range conditions (not sea level on a cold day, if that's not where you're shooting) measurably shifts the drop and wind numbers, especially past 400 yards. Crosswind speed assumes a full 90° crosswind; for a quartering wind, halve the drift value the table gives you.

3. Dial In Zero & Optic

Set the distance you're actually zeroed at and your scope height over bore — not the rifle's spec sheet, your scope's real center-to-bore measurement. Everything downstream (bullet path, MOA, MRAD) is calculated relative to this zero, so an incorrect height here throws off every column in the table.

4. Read the Table

Bullet Path is inches above or below your line of sight at each range. ↑MOA / ↑MRAD is how much to dial your turret to hit at that distance — positive always means dial up. The wind column is full drift at the crosswind speed you set in step 2. Toggle Compare Mode to stack two loads side-by-side with a Δ Path column showing how far apart they land at each range.

WORTH KNOWING
This runs a G1 drag model with forward-Euler numerical integration in 0.5ft steps — solid for most hunting and general-purpose loads, but less precise for very-low-drag long-range bullets, where a true G7 calculator will track slightly closer to observed drop past 600-700 yards. Treat the output here as a strong starting point for ballistic match-grade ammunition and confirm final corrections at the range, not as a substitute for verified dope at distance.