BASIC SETTINGS
Units of measurement
You have the option to use metric (mm, cm, m, g) or imperial units (inch, yard, gr). Please click on the system that you would prefer to use.
Language
Über Ihre IP-Adresse wird Innen eine Sprache zugewiesen, möchten Sie diese ändern können Sie dies bei den Einstellungen machen.
Download the smartphone app
The SWAROVSKI OPTIK ballistic program can also be used as an application on your smartphone. This app can be downloaded from the iPhone App Store or Google Play Store.
BALLISTIC PROGRAM SETTINGS
Rifle scope
Select your SWAROVSKI OPTIK rifle scope. Please make sure that you give the exact name.
Sight height above bore
The sight height above bore describes the distance between the center of the bore (rifle bore axis) and the center of the objective (sight line). Please re-measure this distance for your combination of weapon and rifle scope.
Handloading
If you are loading your own ammunition, please click on the “Handload” option. This will delete all the default fields, allowing you to input the data for the components that you are using.
Database
However, if you are shooting with factory ammunition from the range of a manufacturer, please select “Database”. This will allow you in the subsequent steps to select the ammunition that you are using from our ammunition database, which comprises of more than 2,000 current loads.
Manufacturer
Please select the manufacturer of your ammunition from the menu.
Cartridge
Select here the cartridge that you used.
Bullet
After you have selected the ammunition manufacturer and your cartridge from the relevant fields, you can choose here the bullet you are using from the standard database.
Bullet weight
If you have selected your load from the database, the listed bullet weight will appear here automatically. If you are loading your ammunition by hand or the load is not listed in the database, you can input the details manually.
Muzzle velocity
One extremely important factor for determining accurate output values is the muzzle velocity. You can obtain the relevant muzzle velocity from the ammunition manufacturers’ tables. But the data provided here is taken from production runs.
However, we recommend that you measure the actual V0 for your combination of weapon and ammunition.
Ballistic coefficient (BC)
The ballistic coefficient (BC) is a crucial factor in determining your trajectory path. This measures the ability of a projectile to overcome air resistance. You will find data for this on manufacturer websites, in their ammunition tables, or in our ammunition database.
Calculating ballistic coefficients (BC) yourself
If you would like to calculate your ballistic coefficients yourself, SWAROVSKI OPTIK offers you this option via the BC button.
Altitude
In this field you can enter the average height above sea level, in meters, at which you normally go hunting. If you experience a dramatic change in altitude, for instance, if you are hunting abroad, you can input the new conditions and carry out a new calculation.
EXPERT MODE: Define atmospheric conditions yourself
You can use the Expert mode (E) feature next to the altitude field to define additional atmospheric conditions, such as atmospheric pressure, humidity, and temperature.
Most recommended distance (MRD - 1.5” hi @ 100)
The customer has the option to select the MRD, basing further calculations on a high shot of 4 cm / 100 m (1.5 in / 100 yds).
Selecting a reticle, ballistic turret, table, or PBC/PXC/PBR
After you have input all the relevant data for the calculation, you must click on the submit button. Now you have the option to select your preferred long-range shooting solution.
Long-range reticles allow you to set an exact aiming point, even for long-range shots. They provide hunters with a simple means of achieving the necessary sighting correction for hitting long-range targets accurately, without making any adjustments to the rifle scope. On the other hand, ballistic turrets allow you to stay on target at different distances, which you have defined. This makes long-range shooting considerably easier. However, nothing can beat a careful shooting technique, discipline and practice.
Reticles
With long-range reticles, the relevant calculations for the bars are aligned with the zero range distance input. You are therefore recommended to choose a distance of between 100 and 200 m or yd, depending on the caliber and intended use. After selecting your desired zero range distance, the necessary bullet impact height will be displayed beneath the reticle drawing in cm at 100 m or in inches at 100 yards so that your desired sighting-in distance can be achieved.
“AUTOMATIC” is a possible option for the 4A-300/4A-300-I reticle
Basically, the 4A-300(-I) reticle is designed so that the program automatically sets an exact aiming point of 300 m, depending on the caliber you are using and the trajectory path data. This generates the distances for the other bars accordingly. However, if you need to, you can change the zero range distance to the default setting (for the central aiming point), allowing you to use the reticle according to how you think best. To do this, you just need to uncheck Automatic mode and input the zero range distance you want. The program then calculates the additional aiming points for the zero range distance that you have chosen.
Under the reticle drawing you will see at a sighting-in distance of more than 100 m/yd the height (in cm or inches) that you need at 100 m or 100 yd to achieve the sighting-in distance you want.
Setting power
After you have selected your rifle scope, you will be shown the largest possible magnification for your rifle scope in this field.
You can achieve total accuracy over long distances with the highest magnification. However, if you want another magnification, you can input this manually in the field.
Please bear in mind that when you switch magnification with your long-range reticle, the corresponding aiming points for the relevant bars also change. The central aiming point – the first zero range distance – remains unaffected if you switch magnification. It always stays the same.
On the other hand, in the case of the ballistic turret (BT), switching magnification does not have any impact at all on the various zero range distances.
Table
If you click on the TABLE button, a list appears showing the elevation and windage deviation (you can choose MOA or cm/inch), as well as the velocity (in m/s or fps) and the energy (in J or ft-lbs) at different distances. This menu also offers you the option to input additional variables, such as wind direction in °, wind speed in m/s or m/h, maximum distance in m/yd, and the interval in m/yd. A graph is also displayed showing you the bullet’s trajectory path. The x-axis shows the distance (m/yd) and the y-axis shows the bullet drop (cm/inch). The second curve in this graph shows the energy consumption over the relevant distance. The relevant clicks for BT models are shown in a column of the table. You also have the option to choose yourself how you want to display the MOA, either as a fraction or in decimal form. This is a great help, especially in combination with an MOA-based rifle scope. You can input your own shooting distance in the Shooting distance field and the relevant row in the table will be highlighted.
Ballistic turrets
If ballistic turrets are being used, you should not input a zero range distance of less than 100 m/100 yd for calculating the additional, individually adjustable distances. After selecting your desired zero range distance, the necessary bullet impact height will be displayed beneath the ballistic turret animation in cm at 100 m or inches at 100 yards so that your desired sighting-in distance can be achieved.
Next step in setting the ballistic turret:
Distance 2: Input here the second zero range distance that you want (in m or yd).
Distance 3: Input here the third zero range distance that you want (in m or yd). The calculated correction value originates from the
second zero range distance.
Distance 4: Distance Input here the fourth zero range distance that you want (in m or yd). The calculated correction value originates from the
third zero range distance.
Distance 5: You have the option here to get the program to calculate additional desired zero range distances. The calculated correction values (clicks) originate from the default setting, which means they originate from the
first zero range distance. Please bear this in mind when adjusting your ballistic turret!
Next click on “CALCULATE” and the program calculates the number of clicks you need to have a zero range with your weapon at these distances.
Ballistic turret flex
The BTF is supplied with 6 rings; 4 rings for the different 100 increments (2, 3, 4, 5) and 2 marked for the various intermediate levels. 4 rings can be fitted to the turret at a time. When using the ballistic turret flex to calculate further individually configurable distances, the sight-in distance given should not be under 100 m / 100 yd. After setting your desired sight-in distance, you will see the necessary point of impact in cm at 100 m or inches at 100 yd to achieve the desired sight-in distance, shown at the bottom of the ballistic turret flex.
Next step in setting the ballistic turret flex:
Distance 2: Enter your second desired sight-in distance here (in m or yd).
Distance 3: Enter your third desired sight-in distance here (in m or yd). The correction value calculated here is based on the second sight-in distance.
Distance 4: Enter your fourth desired sight-in distance here (in m or yd). The correction value calculated here is based on the third sight-in distance.
Distance 5: Enter your fifth desired sight-in distance here (in m or yd). The correction value calculated here is based on the fourth sight-in distance.
Distance 6: Here you have the opportunity to have further sight-in distances calculated by the program if you wish. The correction value (clicks) given is based on the basic setting, i.e. the first sight-in distance, so please check this when adjusting your ballistic turret!
Then click on “UPDATE” and the program will work in the background to calculate the necessary number of clicks to achieve a sight-in shot with your firearm at this distance.
PBC/PXC/PBR
You have the option to have a personalized extreme cam (PXC) engraved for all the models which have a BT/BTF. This cam will have the personalized values that you specified engraved on it. There are various engraving options available. You also have the option to generate a PXC for your X5(i) rifle scope.
Zero range at 0°
After all the data has been input, the system – apart from in the case of the 4A-300(I) reticle – sets a zero range distance of 100 m/100 yd. However, you can change the zero range distance as you wish.
Angle
In this field you can input the angle in ° at which you are shooting. The ballistic program also factors this from then on in its calculations. The ballistic program’s iPhone application allows you to input this angle measured exactly on site.
Type of target
If you have chosen a long-range reticle as your default, the ballistic program offers you an additional option of “Type of target” (not available if you choose a ballistic turret).
This function allows you to determine the “point blank range”, thereby determining the range of the relevant bar, e.g. select with “Fox 10 cm” a high shot of 5 cm at 161 m (lower limit) – zero range at 200 m – and a low shot at 5 cm (upper limit) over 231 m. If you choose, for instance “Fallow Deer 25 cm”, you will extend the relevant bar’s range of use. You can adjust this to your personal requirements and the type of hunting.
The lower limit and upper limits are displayed in the reticle drawing on the left and right respectively.
Calculation
Click on “CALCULATE” after you have entered your details. It is only now that the values that you have input will be combined. If you need to make any corrections after the first calculation, you can click on “CALCULATE” again and they will be applied.
Print
Click on “PRINT” to print out a summary of the calculated results.