Need to know this about bullet drop

Silverking

When a ballistics chart says a 7mm 150 grain bullet drops 35.1 inches @ 500 yards - I'm assuming this calculation is figured with the target being the same altitude as the shooter.

If the target is higher or lower than the shooter does this change - and if so how much?

hughbetcha

Ballistic charts usually assume the gun is zeroed at 100yds and that the target is at the same level(altitude) as the target is is zerod for.

Whenever you are shooting at an angle, whether it is uphill or downhill, it will tend to make the bullet strike higher(drop less). The exact amount higher is based on the angle and is difficult to calculate with total precision. The the steeper the angle and the farther the shot, the higher the bullet will strike.

Silverking

Thanks Hugh. I'm exited to be taking my 7 to the 500 hundred yard range this weekend. If I can make it happen from 500 yards it will certainly make me feel worthy of calling myself a decent shooter.

Tailgunner1954

Just remember that it's 35" at 500yd, NOT 35" at 100yd.
IOW 35" @ 500yd = 7MOA. 7MOA at 100yd = 7".
Adjust your scope so that the bullet hits 7" high at 100yd, move to the 500yd target and fire a group. Tweak the scope slightly to center your 500yd group on your aiming point.

As far as the angle thing goes, a 45^ 500yd shot would require the same elevation as a 350yd flat shot, BUT the windage adjustment required would be the same as a flat 500yd shot. For other angles, use the sine of the angle * lazer to target (you are calculating for the base distance when the knowns are hypotanouse and angle "a". And you thought HS geometry was a useless subject [;)] )