Thread: Zero angle

Sorry Im not keen on clicking links from a forum. But I looked at the hornady-kestrel one and the Gunwerks one.

You use real range data to establish a short range zero on paper, preferably with dials adjusted to zero and mpi coinciding with your aiming point by not necessarily. Then input all environmental parameters; wind temp baro pressure slope humidity maybe powder temp I suppose and of course a velocity measured at a known distance when you did the zero exercise. The hornady 4 dof app calculates an angle between bore and sight axis. This angle is too small to actually measure directly so needs to be calculated.

Then the app uses this angle to calculate a predicted point of impact under whatever field conditions you find on the day.

I don’t see how this is different from working direct from a short range zero obtained close to horizontal when theres negligible wind, inputting conditions during zeroing, then when you come to take a shot out hunting or in competition, inputting new field conditions ( as many as you can be bothered under pressure of taking a shot) then allowing the app to simulate and advise the required sight setting for your shot.
You have interposed a calculated parameter ( the zero angle) into your modelling pipeline . Does it give greater portability somehow ? Could the same zero angle be applied to another rifle, assuming it would duplicate the exterior ballistics of the first rifle ? ( might apply to artillery using standard ammo where the angle is large enough to calibrate mechanically without short range zeroing and required accuracy may be modest.) Or is it just a prompt to input your zero conditions when setting up the app ?

Could someone explain it in their own words here ?
(So we dont have to click links and listen to an internet patter and can ask questions and discuss .)