Ballistic calculators are essential tools for hunters, long-range shooters, and military personnel who need to make accurate shots at long distances. With the proliferation of smartphones, many ballistic calculator apps have emerged, offering features such as wind adjustment, angle compensation, and bullet drop compensation. This article will review some of the best ballistic calculator apps available for both Android and iOS platforms, highlighting their features and capabilities.
We have compiled a list of 9 Best Ballistic Calculator Apps For Android & iOS for your consideration, which have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by our team of experts.
Table of Contents
9 Best Ballistic Calculator Apps For Android & iOS
1. Ballistic: Advanced Edition
Ballistic is a mobile application that provides a highly-accurate ballistic calculator and range companion. It has advanced capabilities that allow it to calculate for atmospheric conditions, Coriolis effect, gyroscopic spin, and more. Ballistic has a library of nearly 5,000 projectiles and factory loads, rangefinder, range log, and head-up display, making it a complete mobile companion for hunting or at the range.
Ballistic’s JBM ballistics engine is world renowned and delivers the gold standard in calculations. The Advanced Edition includes features such as iPhone internal barometer support, Kestrel K5 LiNK/Drop integration (in-app purchase), an advanced heads-up display for mounted operation, advanced wind kit configurable for up to 8 wind sources, Bryan Litz’ custom G7 ballistic coefficients, 3D Trajectory imaging for visualizing bullet path, and Mil-Dot ballistics heads-up display.
The application also includes features such as a Load Library with 5,000 commercial and military projectiles and factory loads, iCloud Sync to sync favorites, optics profiles, and range log to all devices, and One-Touch Atmospheric Correction to adjust calculations for zero or current atmosphere. Ballistic has an advanced wind kit that allows users to create complex wind configurations for up to eight different wind sources, and Variable (Stepped) BCs that includes many popular commercial projectiles from select manufacturers for more precise calculations.
Users can also view Ballistic Charts that display a chart of the current projectile including drop, energy, and velocity. They can compare wind drift, compare up to eight projectiles on the same chart, zoom charts up to 300% and save a full-size chart to their photo album. Ballistic also has a HUD with a full-featured Mil-Dot ballistics head-up display that allows users to estimate using on-screen Mil-dot reticle and see milling holdovers with easy on-screen adjustment.
2. iSnipe
iSnipe is a ballistics calculator app for iOS devices that uses the exclusive Direkon ballistics engine to generate military-grade 3-DOF solutions to small arms trajectories. The latest update includes an extensive library of factory rounds to choose from, making it an excellent ballistics computer for hunting or range shooting out to 6-700 yards. The app has received a 5/5 rating from users who have found it to be easy to use with top-notch support and responsiveness.
A ballistics computer is a calculator used to predict a bullet’s path, energy, wind drift, and more. For shooting enthusiasts, this means the ability to pre-determine how, where, and at what speeds your bullets will fly before even opening your gun safe. The iSnipe app is designed with ease of use in mind and is the perfect companion to military/law-enforcement officers, competition shooters, and gun aficionados alike. It offers features such as saving and loading ammo/firearm/shooting range profiles, automatic saving of form values, and the ability to get direct results for a specific distance instantly.
The app’s features include full metric support, visual wind direction controls, visual weather controls, visual angle calculator, and two color themes for perfect vision, in any light. It also has detailed output for any distance and a visual display of MIL-Dot hold-over/hold-under and MIL-Dot windage, adjustable for moving target. Atmospheric correction options are available, including temperature, altitude, humidity, and pressure. Spin drift correction and Coriolis/Eötvös effect correction are available via in-app purchase.
The iSnipe app has over 150 pistol and rifle calibers, over 1500 bullet/projectile profiles (including airgun pellets), and over 2600 factory ammo profiles. It also includes landscape support for output table (i.e., larger text results). The app is retina display ready and has an exclusive Direkon ballistics library written by Derek Yates.
3. Winchester Ballistics Calculator
Winchester’s ballistics calculator is a highly advanced tool designed for hunting and sport shooting enthusiasts. The calculator provides detailed ballistics information using cutting-edge technology.
Users can choose from six different categories, which include centerfire rifle, centerfire handgun, rimfire rifle, rimfire handgun, and shotgun slug. The calculator allows for easy comparison of up to four different Winchester Ammunition products using high-tech ballistic charts and graphs, as well as a new scope view.
Customization options are available to replicate ballistics performance in specific shooting or hunting environments. Users can enter elevation, wind speed, and outside temperature, and adjust zero marks for sighting in.
The calculator has several features including a ballistics graph, an easy-to-read chart that includes bullet flight time, line-of-site drop, wind drift, velocity, and energy. The range interval can be changed in 5-yard increments, and results can be printed to tape for the stock of the gun.
The all-new scope view feature provides a realistic scope view illustrating point-of-impact. It allows for real-time scope magnification from 1x to 24x zoom magnification. Users can choose their game type, background, and favorite scope reticle. The new ‘Hold Point’ feature shows where the user needs to aim to hit their target.
4. Applied Ballistics
The Applied Ballistics Mobile app is a state-of-the-art ballistics solver created by Bryan Litz which provides accurate fire control solutions for long range rifle shooting. This app takes into account all major and minor trajectory variables, including the use of measured G7 BC’s and custom drag curves for specific bullets. The output is available in several formats, such as single shot ‘HUD’ view, table output, graph output, and the reticle output view which shows a trajectory trace in the context of a specific scope reticle.
The software includes a ballistic calibration feature which allows users to match a specific rifle based on observed impacts at long range. The Applied Ballistics Mobile app is intended for serious long range shooters.
The app comes with many advanced features such as Aerodynamic Jump, Coriolis, Spin Drift, and Inclination Angle calculations. The profiles for firearm, ammo, and targets are organized into savable profiles. The AB Connect™ feature is also included.
Custom drag curves have been developed for over 700 bullets, unlike other calculators that use G1 or G7. Load atmospherics can be based on GPS location and the nearest weather station or via Bluetooth-enabled Kestrel 4000 Series, Kestrel 5000 Series, and WeatherFlow Bluetooth Meter. Reticle views support scope magnification levels, while the HUD solution view allows for fast re-calculations for changing target distances, wind, and lead. The app does not require cell/internet service to run calculations.
The app features advanced ballistic calibration, unlike any other software available to date, and a distance, look angle, and target azimuth calculator built in. It also supports zero-atmosphere and auto-adjusting muzzle velocity based on powder temperature. Graphs of the bullet’s flight with drop/wind graphs can also be created, and compared with other ammunition.
5. BallisticsARC
BallisticsARC by GeoBallistics, LLC offers a free version and a Pro version, which is a one-time in-app purchase. The free version includes all modes for one custom rifle and the integration of WeatherFlow products. The Pro version includes unlimited custom rifle profiles, the ability to save and export range cards, the option to opt out of ads, and Kestrel LiNK compatibility.
To add additional rifle profiles or save and export range cards, users must purchase the Pro version. While the free custom rifle can be manipulated to become any caliber, the Pro version is required for performing the tasks mentioned above.
BallisticsARC offers three modes: Chart Mode, Map Mode, and Comp Mode. Chart Mode creates a traditional-style data chart from point A to point B, and like all modes, it responds immediately to changes in weather and other factors. Map Mode utilizes Google Maps to build range cards and range targets with GPS coordinates. This mode overlays external ballistic data on satellite imaging to display a bullet’s performance along its path. Users can save and load these range cards for future use. Comp Mode is similar to Chart Mode, but users can enter a course of fire with varying azimuths and ranges to produce a list of line-item solutions. This mode is suitable for precision rifle competitions or long 3-gun rifle stages.
BallisticsARC is committed to promoting ethical and accurate shooting and educating shooters on external ballistics. The company welcomes feedback and is responsive to addressing any issues that arise.
6. BulletFlight
BulletFlight is a ballistic computer designed for military use, available in three levels (M, L1, and L2) with varying costs. The highest level (M) provides detailed solutions up to 3000 meters, taking into account current weather conditions, angles to the target, and weapon profile (including scope MOA/mRad per click). BulletFlight does not output information in table format, but dynamically provides solutions in real-time for accurate shooting.
BulletFlight includes a database of over 1400 projectiles with G1, G7, or G8 ballistic coefficients, and up to five ballistic coefficients with corresponding velocity thresholds may be used for each profile to enhance accuracy. The app also has several built-in profiles for popular military rifles, including the Army’s M110 and M110C semi-automatic precision rifle, the Army’s new XM2010 sniper rifle, and the 6.5mm KAC PDW. Users can alter these profiles or add new ones to suit their needs.
BulletFlight has an Android-specific interface, and its user-friendly design minimizes the chance of input errors. The app features a “Simple Screen” with distance wheel and a “Full” screen where any exact range may be used. Output is available in inches, cm, MOA, Mils, and scope clicks, with an option for Metric units. The app uses GPS to locate the nearest weather station and automatically gets weather data and altitude for ballistic computation. Sight-in weather may also be logged and stored for automatic normalization to standard conditions.
Other features of BulletFlight include a built-in accelerometer for angle detection, a mil-dot range calculator, and the ability to calculate bullet twist/stability and spin drift. The app is currently in combat use by military snipers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
7. Hornady Ballistics
The Hornady Ballistics tool provides users with advanced 4DOF trajectory and ballistic calculations. These calculations are based on inputs of bullet drag coefficient measurements obtained through the use of Doppler Radar technology. Additionally, the tool includes a BC based calculator and an extensive ammo library.
The use of 4DOF trajectory calculations allows for a more accurate prediction of a bullet’s flight path, taking into account not only the standard variables such as wind and elevation, but also the effects of variables such as spin drift and Coriolis drift.
The ballistic calculations in the Hornady Ballistics tool are based on data obtained through the use of Doppler Radar technology. This technology allows for the measurement of the bullet’s actual drag coefficient, which can then be inputted into the 4DOF trajectory calculations for a more accurate trajectory prediction.
The BC based calculator included in the tool allows users to input the ballistic coefficient of their specific bullet, which aids in the accuracy of the trajectory prediction. Additionally, the ammo library included in the tool provides users with an extensive list of available ammunition, making it easier to find the specific data needed for trajectory calculations.
8. Lapua Ballistics
Lapua Ballistics is a mobile app that offers a 6DOF (6 Degrees of Freedom) calculation model, making it the most accurate ballistics app available. The app provides users with the latest, Doppler-proven Lapua cartridge and bullet data, combined with firearm and local weather information. Additionally, it allows users to define custom bullets manually.
The app comes with several features, including the ability to quickly and easily change inputs such as distance, wind speed, and angle. Several result outputs are available, depending on the user’s needs, such as numerical, reticle, table, and graph views. Users can also share their calculation results with friends.
In terms of managing rifle/cartridge data, the app enables users to create their firearm/reticle combinations and choose between metric and imperial values. Additionally, they can set Point Blank-range to different sight-in distances and impact windows, define aiming point to a moving target, and define custom bullets (calculations based on BC G1 or G7 and Siacci method). Users can also pre-set a maximum of 4 powder temperature-Vo pairs to the same cartridge to correct powder temperature sensitivity. The app also provides Sight-in-POI (Point of Impact) and Coriolis calculation. Finally, it allows users to compare up to 3 Lapua cartridge/bullet performances to each other.
9. Shooter
Shooter is a ballistics calculator that is renowned for its exceptional accuracy and user-friendly interface. Police snipers and competitive shooters alike have used Shooter to great effect, with Robert Brantley recently winning the 2018 King of 2 Mile match using the software. Brantley praised the software as “simple yet accurate” and recommended it to all those interested in long-range shooting. Shooter’s creator, Bryan Litz, is a champion shooter and the chief ballistician at Berger Bullets.
One of Shooter’s key features is the ability to save firearm and ammo data as profiles, eliminating the need to repeatedly enter data. Users can also manage their data online for free, with online backup included as well. The software’s graphical wind dial makes it easy to input wind speed and angle information, while the built-in bullet library simplifies the addition of new ammo profiles. Users can also view trajectory and windage graphs, with the ability to compare multiple loads in a single graph.
Shooter supports Coriolis Effect and Spin Drift calculations, and can use GPS to determine a user’s latitude for Coriolis Effect calculations. The software also has automatic-atmosphere input based on GPS location and nearest weather station, as well as zero-atmosphere support which can account for changes in shooting conditions. The solution HUD screen allows for quick and easy adjustments to shot distance, wind, or lead speed. Users can also email trajectory table output and take advantage of a free Bluetooth Kestrel Weather Meter plugin.
Shooter is fully metric-compatible and includes a dark theme for night shooting. For more information on the product, users can consult the Shooter website, which includes an operation manual.