How the math works
This is a point-mass ballistic solver — the same physics behind the established ballistic apps. Your bullet's deceleration is computed against the industry-standard G1 or G7 reference drag curves, scaled by its ballistic coefficient, in air whose density comes from your temperature, pressure, and humidity (CIPM-2007 formulation — the same used by metrology labs). The trajectory is integrated step by step (Runge–Kutta), not looked up from tables. Output has been verified against an established open-source ballistics engine to within a tenth of an inch at 1,000 yards.
Why truing beats a perfect data sheet
Box velocity is optimistic, chronographs disagree, BCs are measured in someone else's barrel, and your scope's clicks aren't exactly true. Every serious long-range shooter reconciles the calculator with observed impacts — that's all truing is. Shoot at a known distance, enter the correction that actually centered the group, and the solver adjusts muzzle velocity (or BC at long range) until prediction matches reality. From then on the whole chart carries that calibration.
Where do I find my numbers?
BC and weight are printed on the ammo box or the bullet maker's site — use the G7 value for boat-tail match bullets if one is published. Muzzle velocity: a chronograph if you have one; otherwise start from the box value and let truing correct it. Station pressure is the absolute reading from a Kestrel or weather app (not sea-level-corrected barometer); if unsure, switch to altitude and it uses the standard atmosphere.