Exbal Ballistic Calculator

May 2003
Introduction
This document has been developed to help the Exbal user make effective use of the
program and to understand its capabilities.
The primary objective is to address key questions:
Why Ballistic Software?
1. Understand the bullets flight path
2. Understand bullet energy at distance
3. Understand the effects of temperature, wind, and atmospheric pressure
4. Find this data quickly and accurately on a PC , Palm, or Pocket PC.
What Can the Software do for You?
1. Help you hit targets at various distances.
2. Help you sight in effectively
3. Give you the point blank range of your cartridge
4. Optimize the use of range finder reticles (ballistic reticles)
What do you have to do to make the software work for you?
1. Input the data such as bullet weight, ballistic coefficient, temperature, elevation,
etc.
2. Ask questions of the software
3. Ask the computer to print the data you are interested in
How do you actually run the software?
1. The software loads automatically when you insert the disk
2. An Icon will be placed on the computers opening screen
3. Double click on the Icon
4. The program will start and you will see windows into which you enter data.
5. If you dont know the data required for the bullet or cartridge, click on the tool bar
at the top of the screen labeled Options. This will take you to various bullets or
cartridges. When the one you are interested in is found, highlight it and enter.
This will input the data into the main screen.
6. Complete the rest of the data by inputting temperature, elevation, pressure, etc.
7. Decide how your scope makes adjustments. For example, inch per click etc.
From the pull down window, select that format.
8. Now ask the computer to calculate. The main window will fill with numbers.
These numbers will give you the information about the bullets velocity, energy,
drop, etc.
9. This data will help you understand the bullets path, etc.

Advanced Use:
1. A section on using Exbal to help select the best bullet/load combination is
included.
2. Some shooters will be using ranging reticles (ballistic reticles). These reticles
have stadia lines on the main horizontal and vertical crosshairs, or mil dots, or
other types of ranging methods. Using the Ballistic Reticle option in the pull
down window, the user can find out how these lines or mil dots can be used for
hold over for longer shots.
3. The user can use this window to determine the changes in the amount of hold over
these lines represent when the power is changed
4. The data can be transferred to an Excel file automatically. This will allow the
user to print just what he/she wants, or to work with the data, or to plot the data.
5. Using the Ballistic Reticle option in the pull down window, the user can also
calculate the sight-in distance to best match the stadia lines on the reticle.
Step by Step Quick Start Guide
1. Install Exbal on your PC
2. Click on the desktop icon to start Exbal
3. When Exbal starts up it loads a set of sample data. Click on the Calculate button.
Notice the updated Trajectory data table, Point Blank Range data, and maximum
trajectory value. These are the key things you need to know.
4. Try the following experiments: a) change the sight in distance to 200 yards, click
on calculate observe what happens to trajectory values and maximum trajectory.
b) change muzzle velocity to 3000 fps observe what happens to trajectory
values, maximum trajectory and point blank range data.
5. Now you are ready to explore your own solution. Change the field conditions
(altitude, temperature, and humidity) to match your range conditions. Change the
cartridge and bullet load descriptions to match your own. Change the muzzle
velocity to match your load. Change the sight in distance to match how your rifle
is sighted in. Change the bullet weight to match the one you are using. If you
know the ballistic coefficient of your bullet just enter it otherwise select Lookup
Ballistic Coefficients from the Options menu and find the bullet you are using and
click OK. When you return to the main screen click Calculate. You have your first
solution. You can select Save As from the File Menu, give it a name, and save it
for future use.
6. Now its time to read on about all of the magic in Exbal.

Background
It is important to note the discussion below pertaining to ballistics imply several basic
assumptions regarding the rifle and load being used.

Bullets leave the muzzle with adequate spin to stabilize them in flight so that they
will not tumble.
The axis of spin is concentric with the center axis of the bore so that the bullet
does not wobble or spiral in flight.
The line of sight is a constant straight line between the shooters eyes looking
though the sights directly at the target.

There are many conditions that may compromise these assumptions such as mirage,
lighting, poor rifling, a bad muzzle crown, inadequate twist rate, a loose scope, poor
quality bullets, etc. However most serious shooters have selected equipment and
components for which these assumptions apply very well.
One concern that is not addressed by ballistic theory is accuracy (precision is a better
term). After many years of pursuing accurate loads, the author proclaims that when you
find an accurate load you will know it!!! Benchrest shooters have by far contributed the
most to knowledge about precision. Needless to say your objectives in selecting a load
should include accuracy and can only be achieved and validated by testing on the range.
Finally the author recommends that the serious hunter utilizes a rifle/load combination
that achieves 1 MOA accuracy (zero to 300 yards) or better, and that the serious target
shooters utilizes a combination that achieves MOA accuracy (zero to 500 yards) or
better.

A Little Ballistic Theory

Ballistics is the study of the path of a projectile and how it is affected by external factors
(gravity, air resistance, wind, etc). Exterior ballistics is the sub category that pertains to
rifle and pistol bullets that are fired at a relatively low angle relative to horizontal and
have no means of propulsion after leaving the muzzle.
Based on the equations of motion for a point mass in physics, plus work done by US
military to characterize air resistance to a bullet in flight, it is possible to accurately
predict the path of a bullet in flight. The path is three dimensional. The difference
between the flight path and the line of sight (aiming), is generally broken down into two
components (horizontal and vertical). The vertical component is called trajectory and the
horizontal component is called wind deflection (or wind drift).

Trajectory is the position of a bullet in relation to the line of sight (aim point) at any
point along its flight path. When the bullet is above the line of sight, the trajectory is
positive. When it is below the line of sight, the trajectory is negative. Trajectory is
extremely important to the hunter or target shooter because it determines where the bullet
will strike compared to the point of aim. The error in point of impact vs point of aim can
be much larger than one might first imagine. As the time of flight increases, gravitational
force is accelerating the bullet towards the earth and the trajectory decreases rapidly in
proportion to the square of the time of flight. Thus the further the target is away, the
more important it is to know exactly how far it is.

Wind deflection is the shooters worst enemy. Gravity is very predictable but the wind is
not. Some shooters are very gifted with the ability to read the wind. Others rely on
various measurement systems and have mixed success. Two of the most important
factors to be hoped for are a calm day and good luck.
Sight in point is the point where the bullet path meets the line of sight (generally for the
second time). At this point the trajectory is zero. It is important to note that this is not
the same as sighting in a rifle in so that it shoots two inches high at 100 yards. The sight
in point is where the rifle shoots exactly at point of aim.
Some of the things that affect the bullet path are: Ballistic coefficient is a measure of how
well a bullet is able to overcome air resistance compared to other bullets. The higher the
ballistic coefficient, the less air resistance impedes the forward motion of the bullet.
Muzzle velocity is the speed of the bullet as it exits the bore of the rifle. Atmospheric
conditions (air temperature, air pressure, humidity) determine the density of air which in
turn offers resistance to the progress of the projectile moving through it. Wind velocity
and direction determine how much the projectile is pushed off course by the wind (Wind
Drift).
Many ammunition and reloading component manufacturers publish trajectory data. This
data is based on standard conditions which are sea level, 59 degrees Farenheit
temperature, 29.57 inches of Mercury air pressure, and 78 % relative humidity. Thus the
first reason you need a ballistic calculator is that rarely will the load that you are
shooting, and location that you are shooting from, match standard conditions. This
difference may not be too important at short distances of say 200 yards but it will surely
be important at extended distances.
A distinctive feature offered by Exbal is the ability to capture and remember sight in
conditions. Lets suppose that you establish a great load for your brand new 300 Win
Short Magnum with a 180 gr bullet chronographed at 3070 feet per second. Lets say you
live in Corpus Christi, Texas which is 50 feet above sea level. Further lets assume you
that you sight in your rifle during June when the temperature in early morning (when the
wind is minimal) will be about 80 degrees Farenheit. Not only that, but you have
established a sight in such that your bullet path is never above three inches high, or below
three inches low all the way out to 275 yards. This concept is called point blank range.
In this case you could aim at the middle of a six inch target and always strike it if it is
within 275 yards.

Preparation: Lets assume you have put a lot of effort into establishing this load and
practicing, and have used up two hundred rounds of ammo (and precious barrel life).
Now you get the good news that you drew an Elk permit in Wyoming. You will be
hunting at 10000 feet elevation and the temperature is typically 30 degrees in late
October. Without a ballistic calculator you will have no choice but to try and sight in
again when you get to Wyoming. This may not work out too well because you will
probably not have a bench rest to shoot from and you will surely make a lot of noise
doing it. Trying to sight in across the hood of a pickup truck leaves a lot to be desired.
Exbal offers an alternative to that scenario. If you have Exbal remember the sight in
conditions you can establish field conditions (altitude, temperature, etc) that match the
ones you anticipate in Wyoming. Then Exbal will determine the bullet path that will
occur in Wyoming, even though you sighed in at sea level. You can use the Excel
interface to create a reference card and print it out and laminate it to carry with you.
Now you can take full advantage of all the effort you put into creating your ideal load and
you will know exactly how it will perform on your hunting trip. Having one less thing to
worry about is a good thing. Thus another reason for using Exbal is that it enables
you to get ready in advance.

PC Version of Exbal
The PC version of Exbal is an analytical tool that enables the user to see what the
behavior of a projectile will be over a series of target distances of interest. It is a virtual
ballistics laboratory and it produces results in a tabular format. All of the illustrations in
this document were created using the PC version.
Hand Held Versions of Exbal
The Palm and Pocket PC versions of Exbal enable the shooter to take his ballistic
calculator with him to a match or hunting trip. The user interface is designed to provide a
point solution for a particular target distance as opposed to the tabular output from the
PC version of Exbal.
Main screen image from Palm version

Calculation results from Pocket PC

What You Have To Tell Exbal

When you startup Exbal, it is pre-configured with the information for a classic target
round, the 308 Win 175 grain match at 2600 feet per second. It is easy to simply
changing the information that pertains to your particular load. After your are done with
your analysis you can save this set up as a BUL file and recall it for future analysis.

The information needed by Exbal to perform ballistic calculations is:

Item
Description of Bullet and Load
Cartridge Description
Bullet Weight (grains)
Muzzle Velocity (feet per second)
Ballistic Coefficient
Height of Sight Above Line of Bore (
inches)
Wind Speed (miles per hour)
Wind Direction From (clock direction
target at 12 oclock)
Sight In Distance (yards or meters)

Description
Keep it short but descriptive.
Keep it short but descriptive.
Used to calculate bullet energy.
Used to determine trajectory.
(based on industry standard G1 drag
model)
This is 1.5 inches for typical scoped
hunting rifle. With high bases, etc. this may
become 2 inches or more.
Used to calculate wind drift.
Right to left wind would be from 3 oclock

Incline Angle (degrees)

Point at which the bullet crosses line of

sight.
Zero for level shooting.

Target Speed (Cross Range feet per

Used to calculate lead needed for moving

second)
Altitude (feet)
Use Standard Atmospheric Pressure
Calculation Based on Altitude (Y/N)
Temperature (degrees Fahrenheit)
Relative Humidity (%)
Barometric Pressure at Sea Level inches
of Mercury
Pressure at Altitude inches of Mercury
based on pressure gauge
Distance Units (yards or meters)
Maximum Distance ( 1000 or 2000 yards)
Reporting Interval selectable values
from 5 to 50 yards or meters

Report Starting Distance distance of first

table entry to be shown

target.
Used to determine speed of sound. Also
may be used to calculate standard
atmospheric pressure.
This option determines if Exbal will
calculate the atmospheric pressure based on
altitude.
Used in calculation of air density.
Used in calculation of air density.
Relative pressure absolute pressure is
corrected for sea level. (weather report)
Absolute pressure not corrected for sea
level. (pressure guage)
Option to calculate table of results based on
Increments of yards or meters.
Option to perform analysis for 0 to 1000 or
0 to 2000 yards or meters.
Exbal will generate a table with 41 entries.
This corresponds to 0 to 1000 yards/meters
in 25 yard/meter increments. Or 0 to 2000
yards/meters in 50 yard/meter increments.
Smaller spans of distance corresponding to
the reporting interval can also be specified.
When using reporting intervals of 5, 10, or
20 yards/meters the report starting distance
will specify the beginning of the span of
distance covered.

Exbal has several options to help you specify the data about the ammunition you want to
analyze. First there is a lookup function for commercially loaded ammunition from
Black Hills, Federal Hornady, Remington, and Winchester.
Secondly there is a lookup function for ballistic coefficients from bullet manufactures
(Barnes, Berger, Hornady, Lapua, Lost River Ballistics, Nosler, Sierra, Speer, and Swift).
Exbal enables the user to specify multiple ballistic coefficients to accommodate data from
Sierra who specify a ballistic coefficient based on velocity or from independently
developed bullet drag information.
Exbal also has an option that enables the user to specify that sight in data was developed
under one set of conditions (sight in conditions) but trajectory analysis should be
determined for a different set of conditions (field or range conditions).

What Exbal Calculates For You

The primary results table consists of the following information:

Calculation Resuts
Item
Velocity
Energy
Trajectory
Elevation Sight Adjustment Needed
Wind Deflection
Windage Sight Adjustment Needed
Moving Target Lead
Moving Target Sight Adjustment Needed
Time Of Flight
Maximum Trajectory
Point Blank Range Analysis Table

Description
Feet per second
Foot Pounds
Inches above or below line of sight
Units/clicks of sight adjustment *
Inches of deflection to left or right
Units/clicks of sight adjustment *
Inches ahead of target
Units/clicks of sight adjustment *
Seconds
The trajectory value when it reaches its
maximum value (highest point)
Table of data for targets of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10
inches in height. For each target the sight
in distance (bullet strikes center of target),
point of maximum trajectory (bullet strikes
top of target), and point of minimum
trajectory (bullet strikes bottom of target)
is calculated.

* Exbal has an option that enables the user to specify sight adjustment units. The units
can be minutes of angle, inches per hundred yards, or mil radians. The adjustment size
(click) can be 1, , , 1/8, or a fraction specified by the user. Adjustments can be
specified for elevation, windage, and target lead. This will be discussed in greater detail
in the section regarding Exbal Options below.
Point Blank Range Analysis
The concept of point blank range is shown in the graph below which is based on
calculation results for a 300 Win Mag, 180 grain Barnes X bullet at 2960 fps. To achieve
the trajectory profile shown in the graph, the rifle needs to be sighted in at 252 yards. In
this case the bullet will not rise more than three inches above line of sight. It falls to zero
at the sight in point and finally it will fall to three inches below line of sight at
approximately 300 yards. Of course it continues to fall beyond that distance (look at the
bad news at 400 yards).
This example shows that with an optimum sight in, the bullet would hit a six inch target
all the way out to 300 yards with out making any elevation correction (that is just aiming
at the center of the target). For hunting situations, it is wise to establish a suitable point
blank range sight in strategy (or at least something close to it). When you are hunting
you may have to react quickly and a bull elk is not going to give you a change to study up
on where to aim. If he is within point blank range, just hold as though you shooting at
your sight in target. Knowing the limitations of your bullet path will also help you avoid
taking a shot that you shouldnt.

Exbal Options
Multiple Ballistic Coefficients
At least one bullet manufacturer, Sierra, has determined that more than one ballistic
coefficient is needed in order to cover all of the velocity ranges in which the bullet may
be used. The example below shows the data for the Sierra 175 grain MatchKing bullet.
At velocities of 2800 feet per second (fps) and higher (typical of magnums) the ballistic
coefficient is 0.505. As the velocity drops to below 2800 fps the ballistic coefficient
changes to 0.496 (this is roughly a 2% change). As the velocity falls below 1800 fps the
coefficient changes to 0.485 (roughly another 2%). Exbal takes multiple ballistic
coefficient changes into account as the calculations are performed.
With the addition of the ballistic coefficient lookup function, this option is generally not
needed. It is still available however if a new bullet is introduced before the next version
of Exbal incorporates the new data.

Exbal Options
Ballistic Coefficient Lookup
As mentioned in the introduction, the ballistic coefficient data for Barnes, Berger,
Hornady, Lapua, Lost River Ballistics, Nosler, Sierra, Speer, and Swift bullets is available
in Exbal. The lookup function will automatically update the ballistic coefficient data for
the user when he clicks OK on the lookup screen.

Exbal Options
Factory Load Lookup
Also, the velocity data for Black Hills, Federal Hornady, Remington, and Winchester
ammuntition is available to Exbal. Likewise the muzzle velocity, bullet weight, and
cartridge description are automatically updated when the user clicks OK.

Exbal Options
Specify Sight Adjustment Options
In the output section of Exbal, there are three trajectory related fields (Trajectory, Wind
Drift, and Moving Target Lead). These results are in inches. Beside each of these fields
is a column for sight adjustments (Elevation, Windage, and Moving Target Lead). These
are in units of sight adjustments (clicks, marks on a dial, etc).
There are numerous sight adjustment options provided by the scope and sight
manufactures. The default case for Exbal is the classic Minutes of Angle (MOA)
where a minute of angle is one 60th of a degree (1.0472 inches at 100 yards). This is
common on aperture sights used on military and match rifles. Some of the scope
manufacturers have dial adjustments which are in MOA.
Another commonly used dial adjustment on scopes is in inches per hundred yards
(IPHY). Technically this is not an angle, it is the tangent of the angle. For example, the
vendor may state the scope has inch clicks at 100 yards. This means that one click will
change the impact point inch at 100 yards, inch at 200 yards, inch at 300 yards,
etc.
And finally, the classic system used by Army and Marine ordinance personnel is based on
mil-radians (MILS). There are two Pi radians in a circle and a mil radian is 1/1000th of a
radian which is 3.6 inches at one hundred yards.
The user should determine which of these conventions are used by the scope/sights he is
using. Unfortunately MOA and IPHY are often used interchangeably. This will certainly
cause problems at longer distances if the wrong system is specified. Remember that the
difference between one minute of angle vs. 1 inch per 100 yards amounts to 0.472 inches
of error at 1000 yards. While 0.472 inches may seem small, if you need twenty or more
MOA correction, the total error will be 9 inches or more. If you are shooting at 12 inch
plates, 9 inch errors are not tolerable.
Each of these systems have their advocates but Exbal enables the user the flexibility to
deal with any of them.

Exbal Options
Match Sight In Point
A key input value for Exbal is the sight in distance. Sometimes it is necessary to
calculate where this is. For example, suppose you have sighted your rifle in so that the
impact point is one high at one hundred yards. Where is the actual sight in point? Exbal
has a solution for you.

For the 308 175 grain, 2600 fps example load, the answer is 152 yards. Remember that
sight in distance is the point at which the trajectory is zero. In this case we are
determining the sight in point based on known trajectory value of 1 inch at one hundred
yards.

Advanced Use Options

Exbal Output to Excel Spreadsheet
Exbal provides an option to load an Excel spreadsheet with the calculation results. It
contains all of the calculated plus the user input data.

This is a powerful extension to Exbal. It provides the user with unlimited capabilities for
further analysis such as comparing loads, generating reference cards, generating graphs,
etc.
A common use for the Excel option is to compare loads. There are two slightly different
ways to do this.
Method A:
1. Set up the first case in Exbal and select Options/Load Excel Spreadsheet. This
will put the data into sheet1 of a new workbook called book1..
2. Modify the set up data in Exbal for case two, then select Options/Load Excel
Spreadsheet again. This will put the data for the second case into sheet2 of the
same workbook that was created for case one.
3. Now you have access to both sets of data and you can perform any kind of
analysis you desire.

4. You may want to copy data from sheets 1 and 2 into sheet 3 to isolate the data
being compared. The Excel tools will enable you to analyze, plot, and print
data.

Method B.
1. Set up the first case in Exbal and select Options/Load Excel Spreadsheet. This
will put the data in sheet1 of a new workbook called book1.
2. Use the File/New or File/Open option in Exbal to open a new case.
3. Select Options/Load Excel Spreadsheet which will put the data into sheet1 of
another new workbook called book2.
4. As in the first case you may want to open a new workbook or use another
sheet in book1 or book2 to copy the comparison data into.
5. Use Excel to perform your analysis of the two cases.

Advanced Use Options

Remember Sight In Conditions
This option makes is possible to use the sight in data acquired under one set of
atmospheric conditions to analyze the trajectory information under a different set of field
or range conditions. It eliminates the need to sight in after arriving at the new location.
The author will never forget an experience when he developed the worlds best 300
Weatherby load during the summer in Michigan. The rifle worked perfectly and the load
was very accurate and repeatable. Having drawn an elk permit, and after arriving in
Wyoming at 10000 feet elevation in the fall he made a feeble attempt to sight in again
from the top of a station wagon. A steady rest was impossible and scope adjustments were
made based on very questionable data. He was uncertain from that point on as to where
the bullet was going. The only good think that happened is that a nice bull elk chose to
commit suicide 75 yards away.

Advanced Use Options

Ballistic Reticle Analysis Ranging Reticles
There are two different kinds of ballistic reticles. The first kind is often called a ranging
reticle and has horizontal reference bars (parallel to the main cross hair) or dots spaced
along the vertical cross hair which are evenly spaced. By far the most common of these
because of military history is the mil dot reticle. These scopes have dots spaced at one mil
radian intervals along the vertical crosshair.
Another popular ranging reticle is based on a series of reference bars (parallel to the
horizontal cross hair) evenly spaced. An example is the Night Force NP-R2 reticle which
has 10 bars spaced 2 minutes of angle apart.
The example below shows a ranging reticle for a 300 Win Mag/175 gr MatchKing at
3000 fps sighted in at 100 yards.
There are two ways of optimizing the use of a ballistic reticle. The first is to change the
sight in distance so that one or more of the reference bars/dots/circles will strike where
you want them. The second method is available for scopes with the reticle in the second
focal plane. This is easily determined by changing the power setting on the scope. If the
reticle is in the second plane they do not appear to change in thickness but the angle
(distance) between the bars actually increases as you decrease the power. In this case a
second variable that will affect the trajectory profile is the operating power of the scope.
Shooters who have a ballistic reticle in the second focal plane and forget to leave the
power set at maximum will be surprised at the outcome unless they have planned it that
way.

It should be noted that when a ballistic reticle analysis is performed, the data will be
included in an Excel spreadsheet if the output to Excel option is elected. This makes it
convenient to create a reference card with the point blank range data for the reticle.

Advanced Use Options

Ballistic Reticle Analysis Trajectory Profile Reticles
A second class of ballistic reticles is based on aiming reference bars, dots, or circles
which are spaced along the vertical crosshair at uneven distances. In fact these distances
are designed so that a standard cartridge will strike at specified distances. This is called
a trajectory profile. For example a reticle designed for a 30-06 class bullet sighted in at
200 yards will strike at 300 yards, 400 yards, etc corresponding to each one of the
reference bars/points/circles. There are optics companies that will manufacture reticles
to match any desired trajectory profile. Exbal is a perfect tool to help you design such a
reticle.
The following example shows the 3000 fps 300 Win Mag load using a Burris Ballistic
Plex scope. In this case the Optimize Sight In function was used to determine that a sight
in distance of 183 yards will result in bar #4 striking at exactly 600 yards. Notice that
the point blank range analysis shows that for an eight in target, bar #1 can be used from
zero to 313 yards, bar #2 from 334 to 416 yards, bar #3 from 458 to 514 yards, and bar #4
from 579 to 618 yards. In other words to hit an eight inch diameter target, use bar #1 out
to 300 yards, bar #2 out to 400 yards, bar #3 out to 500 yards and bar #4 out to 600 yards.

Selecting the Best Load for Your Rifle

Every year there are tons of articles published about why XXX is the best load. It is easy
to get lost in all the dialog. Selecting the best load for your rifle is a simple process.
RULE Number 1: Never try to exceed the safe capabilities of your cartridge.
To start off with you need to have some objective criteria. First are the limitations of
your rifle/cartridge.
What bullet weights are available?
Are the heaviest bullets too long to fit in the magazine?
Will the twist rate in your rifle stabilize the heavier bullets?
Will your cartridge produce suitable velocities for the heavier bullets without
excess pressure?
RULE Number 2: Choose ONLY bullet loads that are appropriate for the target.
Now you need some objective criteria about the application.
Is the target a piece of paper or a Cape Buffalo?
Do you expect the target to be close (say within 300 yards)?
Will the bullet load have sufficient energy at all distances?
Will the bullet have adequate penetration capability?
Although you may think you know all you need to about the limitations of your rifle and
the what is appropriate for the target it is strongly advised to talk to an experienced guide
or outfitter for hunting applications or to an experienced target shooter for match
applications. Remember to stick as much as possible to the facts.
Now we can move on to the finer points of bullet load selection. If you are a reloader,
you will have more options available because you have many more combinations to
choose from but this can cost you dearly in wasting time and burning up barrels.
RULE Number 3: Heavy bullets are more versatile.
For a clue of where to start, look at the data published by ammunition manufactures. See
what loads are offered for your cartridge. Note what application each load is designed for
(thin skin game, thick skin game etc). Also note the muzzle velocity and the ballistic
coefficient of the bullet being used.
At this point you can use Exbal to generate a profile of how each of these loads will
perform. How do the trajectories compare? Are the bullet energies acceptable for the
distances you are considering? How about the wind drift? You should also look at the
Point Blank Range data.

RULE Number 4: Heavy, deep penetrating bullets with low drag profile are the best.
Adhering to this rule may lead you to selecting premium ammunition but it is easily
justified if you expect top notch results.
RULE Number 5: If you are hunting, select a point blank range sight in strategy.
When you spot that trophy bull elk at 200 yards the last thing you need to do is figure out
where to aim. The point blank sight in strategy solves this problem for you. If he is
within point blank range, just aim midway between the top of his shoulders and the
bottom of his chest. If you have to guess dont shoot.