LiNK® enabled Kestrel units can connect with LiNK compatible laser rangefinders to capture and input this target data quickly and accurately. Vertical angle and direction of fire have a measureable but typically lesser impact and are also accounted for in the Kestrel. If a laser rangefinder isn’t available, ranging with a Mil or MOA based reticle or using GPS are secondary alternatives. This can be best measured with a laser rangefinder. Target Information – As distances increase and bullets hit targets while dropping at steeper angles, an accurate range to target becomes increasingly important.
By employing independently measured air-resistance drag models specific to your bullet, while also accounting for wind, aerodynamic jump, spin drift, Coriolis Effect, muzzle velocity and drop scale factor calibration, the Applied Ballistics solver that runs in every Kestrel Ballistic unit is the standard for long range accuracy. Ballistics Calculator - Top military and competitive shooters around the world rely on the Applied Ballistics solver because of its advanced mathematical modeling techniques and scientifically measured bullet data.Kestrel ballistic weather meters with the Applied Ballistics solver combine all these tasks in one device, providing accurate elevation and windage solutions for any round and in any environment. The flight path of a bullet can be calculated to a high level of precision by using a ballistics calculator which incorporates the physics of external ballistics, locally measured environmental data and accurate information about the target, gun, and projectile. In second focal plane scopes, the reticle image is fixed and measurements are only accurate at one magnification level which is more suitable for fixed distance shooting environments. This is valuable when shooting at variable or unknown distances. Focal Plane – In first focal plane scopes the reticle will grow and shrink with the magnification level and reticle measurement spacing will always be accurate.As a point of reference, military snipers historically trained with 10x fixed magnification and most competitive PRS shooters have mid 20x maximum magnification. Magnification – The amount of magnification will depend largely on cost and application.Optical performance differs mostly in clarity at the extremes and in increased durability. Quality Optics – Luckily for shooters, most large brands today offer lenses of reasonably good quality.Reticle selection, whether Mil, MOA, or Horus style is a matter of preference and all Kestrel® Ballistics units will work equally well with each. Internal adjustment will need to be sufficient to reach your intended shooting range. Turrets that adjust accurately and consistently to move the position of the reticle will dictate a scope’s accuracy.With little more than a properly employed, quality targeting scope, even a standard hunting rifle can be successful at long ranges. This is where the most resources and attention should be spent when first getting into long range shooting. Don’t underestimate the importance of a quality scope. The first piece of equipment required for long-range shooting is a quality targeting scope with adjustable Mil or MOA turrets and a targeting reticle.