How it works
This calculator estimates how far a bullet drops below your line of sight at each range. It integrates the bullet’s flight using the standard G1 drag model scaled by your ballistic coefficient, with gravity of 9.80665 m/s² and a sea-level standard atmosphere (59 °F, 29.92 inHg).
Your scope sits above the bore, so the bullet starts below the line of sight, rises through it near the muzzle, crosses it again at your zero distance, then falls away. The table lists the path every 50 yards to 600 yards with the correction in MOA (1 MOA ≈ 1.047 in at 100 yd) to dial or hold over.
This is an approximation. Altitude, temperature, wind, the true drag curve of your bullet (many modern long-range bullets fit a G7 model better), velocity variation and scope tracking all shift real impacts. Confirm every number by shooting at known distances before relying on it.
Formula
Drag deceleration = ρ × v² × Cd_G1(Mach) × π ÷ (8 × BC), integrated with gravity; MOA = −path(in) ÷ (1.047 × range(yd) ÷ 100)
Questions people ask
Where do I find my ballistic coefficient?
Bullet makers publish G1 (and often G7) BCs on the box or website. Use the G1 value here. Published BCs are sometimes optimistic; if drops at long range are larger than predicted, try a slightly lower BC.
What zero distance should I use?
A 100-yard zero is common for dialing a scope. Hunters who hold over often use a 200-yard zero, which keeps a typical rifle within a few inches of point of aim out to about 250 yards.
Why does altitude matter?
Thinner air means less drag. At 5,000 ft a bullet drops noticeably less at long range than at sea level, so this sea-level estimate will over-predict drop at elevation.
How accurate is this?
Out to a few hundred yards it is usually within an inch or two of full solvers for the same inputs. Beyond that, small errors in velocity, BC and atmosphere grow quickly, so always confirm on paper.