{"id":3864,"date":"2022-11-30T22:41:14","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T22:41:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=3864"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:36:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:36:27","slug":"how-the-impact-ballistics-calculator-helps-shooters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-the-impact-ballistics-calculator-helps-shooters\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways the Impact Ballistics Calculator Helps Shooters"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-the-impact-ballistics-calculator-helps-shooters\/#5_Ways_the_Impact_Ballistics_Calculator_Helps_Shooters\" >5 Ways the Impact Ballistics Calculator Helps Shooters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-the-impact-ballistics-calculator-helps-shooters\/#Getting_Started_With_the_IMPACT_Ballistics_Calculator\" >Getting Started With the IMPACT Ballistics Calculator<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-the-impact-ballistics-calculator-helps-shooters\/#Extreme_long-range_ELR_holdovers\" >Extreme long-range (ELR) holdovers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-the-impact-ballistics-calculator-helps-shooters\/#Wind_holds\" >Wind holds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-the-impact-ballistics-calculator-helps-shooters\/#Firing_angle_holds\" >Firing angle holds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-the-impact-ballistics-calculator-helps-shooters\/#Saving_your_specific_load_data\" >Saving your specific load data\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-the-impact-ballistics-calculator-helps-shooters\/#Continued_Learning\" >Continued Learning<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Ways_the_Impact_Ballistics_Calculator_Helps_Shooters\"><\/span>5 Ways the Impact Ballistics Calculator Helps Shooters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>We developed the Impact <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/videosview\/the-power-of-the-impact-ballistics-program\/\">Ballistics calculator<\/a> and mobile application to help hunters and shooters increase accuracy at long-range distances.<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We live in an increasingly data-driven society. Data is important in everyday decision-making, and it\u2019s long been a part of rifle <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/hunting-with-a-muzzleloader\/\">shooting<\/a>, especially with the advent of long-range <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"optics\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"427\">optics<\/a> over the last half-century.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We developed the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/impact-ballistics#:2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Impact Ballistics calculator and mobile application<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to give shooters the data required to make precision long-distance shooting as easy as possible. The <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/why-you-might-consider-a-ballistic-calculator\/\">IMPACT Ballistics<\/a> calculator provides the most comprehensive database of ballistics data with 70-plus <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-the-right-ammo-for-your-rifle\/\">ammo<\/a> manufacturers and more than 360 cartridges from centerfire to rimfire and muzzleloader.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/impact-ballistics-mobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2179 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/2.png\" alt=\"We developed the Impact Ballistics calculator and mobile application to help hunters and shooters increase accuracy at long-range distances.\" width=\"244\" height=\"266\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/2.png 540w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/2-276x300.png 276w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/2-150x163.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 244px) 100vw, 244px\" \/><\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ballistics data paired with your particular TRACT <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/riflescopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"scope\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"222\">scope<\/a> and reticle will provide long-range holdovers, wind holds, and angle holds. Not to mention it saves your load data and improves your shooting knowledge and provides a higher level of confidence in your setup.<\/span><\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_Started_With_the_IMPACT_Ballistics_Calculator\"><\/span><b>Getting Started With the IMPACT Ballistics Calculator<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To get started using our IMPACT Ballistics calculator, download the application on your phone or head over to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/impact-ballistics#:2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">TRACT website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to use the desktop version. Then enter your <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/moa-vs-mrad-rifle-scopes\/\" title=\"MOA vs MRAD Rifle Scopes\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1876\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">scope and reticle<\/a> information and ammunition type. Atmospheric condition data, temperature, wind speed will automatically import when you click Get Conditions. Please note you\u2019ll need to enter altitude, but a quick Google search of the area you\u2019re in will give you the elevation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The app will then compute all of this data to present you with the necessary information for the distances related to the dots or hash marks in your scope. Below are some of the ways the IMPACT Ballistics calculator will aid in your time behind the trigger.<\/span><\/p><ol style=\"text-align: justify\"><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Extreme_long-range_ELR_holdovers\"><\/span><b> Extreme long-range (ELR) holdovers<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ol><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shooting at very long distances increases the amount of time gravity has to affect your shot. A holdover refers to the positioning of the reticle above the desired target to account for the effect of that gravitational force and the drop of the bullet. Over extreme ranges, minor miscalculations can throw a round far, of course. If used properly, the Impact Ballistic application gives the shooter the data needed to calculate every elevation hold at most distances. Don\u2019t guess your hold. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Know<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> your hold.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ol style=\"text-align: justify\" start=\"2\"><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wind_holds\"><\/span><b> Wind holds<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ol><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wind direction and wind speed are two of the atmospheric inputs referenced above. After both are calculated, the reticle chart shows a shooter exactly which direction and how much to account for wind. Wind is a much larger factor as the shot distance increases and the bullet slows down. So we wanted to take the guesswork out of wind speed and direction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HbRZtxF7x2U\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><br \/>The IMPACT Ballistics calculator comes with the most comprehensive database of ballistics data for centerfire, rimfire, and muzzleloader. Learn more by watching our latest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HbRZtxF7x2U\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video.<\/a><\/p><ol style=\"text-align: justify\" start=\"3\"><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Firing_angle_holds\"><\/span><b> Firing angle holds<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ol><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When shooting a bullet on flat ground, the bullet moves parallel to the earth while gravity gradually pulls it downward.\u00a0When shooting on a slope, the drop of a bullet caused by gravity decreases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Imagine you were shooting straight up into the sky. There would be no gravitational pull on the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">perpendicular <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">side of the bullet because gravity would be pulling the round straight backward instead. With that idea in mind, bullet drop will be lessened as your shot angles increase away from parallel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/compensating-for-shooting-angle\/\" title=\"Compensating for Shooting Angle\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1707\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting at an angle<\/a> and input that variable into the \u201cShooting Uphill\/Downhill\u201d index in the conditions section of the ballistics calculator, the corresponding reticle chart produced by the app will also take this into account and adjust the reticle marks accordingly.\u00a0Once again, distance multiplies everything and the software can reduce the guesswork.<\/span><\/p><ol style=\"text-align: justify\" start=\"4\"><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Saving_your_specific_load_data\"><\/span><b> Saving your specific load data\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ol><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This function is a real lifesaver for hand loaders and really anyone who\u2019s trying to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/finding-the-right-ammo-for-your-rifle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">marry their rifle to a specific cartridge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Once your specific cartridge information is in the system, you can save it in the app and create a miniature library that is readily available at your fingertips. For shooters wanting to build rounds that are \u201coutside the box,\u201d\u00a0good luck finding load recipes in places with no cell service or in the absence of a load manual. <\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Instead, build your loads ahead of time and refer back to the app whenever you\u2019re shooting a wildcat off the grid. Plus, you\u2019ll never have to worry about keeping up with paper charts that could get lost or ruined in the elements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/impact-ballistics-mobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2178 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Picture4-575x1024.jpg\" alt=\"5 Ways Impact Ballistics can help you as a shooter\" width=\"268\" height=\"477\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/Picture4-575x1024.jpg 575w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/Picture4-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/Picture4-768x1368.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/Picture4-150x267.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/Picture4.jpg 823w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 268px) 100vw, 268px\" \/><\/a><\/p><ol style=\"text-align: justify\" start=\"5\"><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Continued_Learning\"><\/span><b> Continued Learning<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ol><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The app is worth the download for this reason alone. You\u2019ll find a wealth of tutorials and informational videos that can help you dial in your optic, get the most out of the ballistics calculating function, and improve your long-distance shooting.\u00a0Simply click on the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">LEARN<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> icon at the bottom of the app. Be sure to click the \u201cSee All\u201d button under each topic heading to unroll a whole series of detailed videos on each topic.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not only is the IMPACT Ballistics calculator designed to help in your <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/reduce-muzzle-flip-when-shooting-off-a-tripod\/\">long-range shooting<\/a> endeavors, it will also save time and money by reducing the number of shots needed to dial in your <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/prepping-your-scope-for-long-range-hunting\/\" title=\"Long Range Hunting Prepping Your Scope\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1507\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">scope at longer ranges<\/a>. Additionally, personalized ballistics information is at your fingertips before you ever fire a shot. <\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The program allows you to sight in at distances you may not have the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/long-range-shooting-etiquette\/\" title=\"Long Range Shooting Etiquette\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1372\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">range to shoot<\/a>. When you\u2019re ready, head over to the app store to download IMPACT Ballistics or fill out a printable version at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/impact-ballistics#:2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">TRACTOptics.com.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/impact-ballistics#:2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3865\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/TORIC-3-15x42-BDC-6.5-Creedmoor.png\" alt=\"5 Ways Impact Ballistics Can Help You as a Shooter\" width=\"448\" height=\"402\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/11\/TORIC-3-15x42-BDC-6.5-Creedmoor.png 723w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/11\/TORIC-3-15x42-BDC-6.5-Creedmoor-300x269.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/11\/TORIC-3-15x42-BDC-6.5-Creedmoor-334x300.png 334w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/11\/TORIC-3-15x42-BDC-6.5-Creedmoor-150x135.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 448px) 100vw, 448px\" \/><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>5 Ways the Impact Ballistics Calculator Helps Shooters<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11923,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2275,2259,2267],"tags":[2363,2797,2876,2958,3058,3189],"class_list":["post-3864","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-accessories","category-hunting-rifle-scope","category-shooting-skills","tag-ballistics-calculator","tag-hunting","tag-impact-ballistics","tag-optics","tag-rifle-scopes","tag-shooting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3864","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3864"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3864\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11379,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3864\/revisions\/11379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3864"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3864"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}