1. What is Ballistic Coefficient?

The Ballistic Coefficient (BC) is a measure of a projectile's ability to overcome air resistance in flight compared to a standard projectile. For pellets, it indicates how well the pellet maintains its velocity and resists wind drift.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the ballistic coefficient formula:

Where:

• \( m \) — Mass of the pellet (kg)
• \( d \) — Diameter of the pellet (m)
• \( i \) — Form factor (dimensionless)

Explanation: The formula calculates how streamlined the pellet is by comparing its mass to its cross-sectional area and adjusting for its aerodynamic shape through the form factor.

3. Importance of Ballistic Coefficient

Details: A higher BC means the pellet will retain velocity better, have a flatter trajectory, and be less affected by wind. This is crucial for accuracy at longer ranges.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms, diameter in meters, and form factor (typically between 0.5 and 1.5 for pellets). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical BC for airgun pellets?
A: Most pellets have BC values between 0.01 and 0.05, with high-quality match pellets reaching up to 0.06.

Q2: How does form factor affect BC?
A: The form factor accounts for the pellet's aerodynamic shape. A more streamlined pellet will have a lower form factor, resulting in a higher BC.

Q3: Why use diameter squared in the formula?
A: The cross-sectional area of the pellet (which affects air resistance) is proportional to the square of its diameter.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a theoretical BC. Actual BC can vary based on velocity, air density, and other factors. Chronograph testing provides more accurate real-world values.

Q5: Can I use this for bullets?
A: The same principle applies, but bullets typically use different reference standards (G1, G7, etc.) for their form factors.