1. What is Bullet Drop?

Bullet drop refers to the effect of gravity on a projectile (bullet) causing it to fall below the line of sight as it travels downrange. For .308 rounds, understanding bullet drop is crucial for accurate long-range shooting.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the bullet drop equation:

Where:

• \( v \) — Muzzle velocity (m/s)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²)
• \( \theta \) — Angle of elevation (radians)
• \( t \) — Time of flight (seconds)

Explanation: The equation accounts for both the vertical component of the initial velocity and the constant acceleration due to gravity.

3. Importance of Bullet Drop Calculation

Details: Accurate bullet drop calculation is essential for precision shooting, especially at long ranges where even small miscalculations can result in significant misses.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter velocity in m/s, angle in radians, flight time in seconds, and gravity (default is 9.81 m/s²). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is bullet drop important for .308 rounds?
A: The .308 is commonly used for long-range shooting where bullet drop becomes significant at distances beyond 300 meters.

Q2: How does angle affect bullet drop?
A: Shooting at angles (uphill or downhill) changes the effect of gravity on the bullet's trajectory.

Q3: What's a typical muzzle velocity for .308?
A: Typical muzzle velocities range from 700-900 m/s depending on the specific load and barrel length.

Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This simplified model doesn't account for air resistance, wind, or the Magnus effect which become important at very long ranges.

Q5: How can I convert degrees to radians?
A: Multiply degrees by π/180 (approximately 0.0174533) to get radians.