How the Winchester Ballistics Calculator Will Help You This Fall
Truly understanding the ballistics of your setup is an extremely important factor that many hunters often overlook.
There are gun nuts out there that could tell you everything imaginable about the loads they’re shooting, but an average hunter usually doesn’t have this in-depth knowledge. For some, it’s that they don’t think there is a need to know or understand. For others, it really comes down to being taught or knowing where to look. Luckily, Winchester has made it extremely easy for everyone to get this information and compare rounds in an easy to understand, user-friendly format with their Ballistic app.
As a hunter, why is it important to understand ballistics? When it comes to longer initial shots or even a follow up shot, being confident is extremely important for an ethical hunt and a well-placed shot. Most have their gun sighted in for 100 or 200 yards. Knowing exactly how much drop or wind drift to expect at 300 or even 400 yards is key. Not only should you understand the drop but it’s also important to be confident that you’re capable of making a good, clean shot. Too often I see people hunting who extend their range based on the caliber of buck and not their capable shooting ability. One suggestion I always offer is to download and study the Winchester Ballistic App. This allows you to compare your caliber, various loads, along with wind drift and drop from one option to another. Getting out to the range and actually shooting at various distances is key out in the elements. However, I enjoy comparing and contrasting loads in the app to fully understand what calibers shoot flatter, faster, or carry more know down power at various distances.
For example, usually I shoot a .300 Win. Mag. for most of the season. This has been my caliber of choice for years so I know and understand the trajectory because I’ve studied it time and time again on the app, and shot it for years both in the field and at the range. This year I’m thinking about shooting a 6.5 Creedmoor in the Deer Season XP on a couple hunts. Within the app I can actually compare the two cartridges side by side and see the drop out to whatever distance I choose. Again, even though the app will show me the drop and wind drift I can’t stress the importance of getting out to the range and shooting various distances.
Much of shooting comes down to confidence and understanding your equipment. The only real way to be 100% sure you’re capable of making the shot is doing it time and time again at the range. Find out what distance you’re comfortable with keeping your shots in a tight enough group to make an ethical shot on an animal. Once that is established never change that distance regardless of the class or caliber of animal.
Hunters owe it to the animal to make an ethical shot. If it’s outside your effective range, put on effort to stalk in until you’re within a comfortable shooting distance. In the meantime, if you get bored on stand explore the new ballistic app and you’ll be amazed how much you can learn, explore, and understand by just playing around and comparing rounds.
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