FAQ

1) What is Shooter’s Notes used for?

Among other things, Shooter’s Notes helps rifle shooters visualize the holdover and wind corrections needed for shots taken beyond 200 to 300 yards or at shorter ranges for pistol and air rifle shooters.

2) How did Shooter’s Notes get started?

The idea of using reticles superimposed on target illustrations crystallized after years of looking at ballistics tables to optimize trajectories. Using numbers alone was an abstract exercise and the implications were frequently hard to visualize. On a few occasions, computer-supported cartoons helped see what was happening. Examples of these visualizations are in the articles on the 6.5 Grendel™ shown elsewhere on this web site.

3) Why do the targets change position and size with increasing range?

This feature is the core of Shooter’s Notes. The changes allow the shooter to better visualize the sight picture needed to reliably anchor the target for the variety of ranges and shooting conditions likely to be encountered.

4) Why do some targets look very small in the images?

Shooter’s Notes uses a consistent scale factor throughout the computations of sight pictures. Keeping the scale factor constant helps the shooter understand how small the 10-inch vital zone becomes at the longer ranges. This consistency should be helpful as the shooter works out personal maximum ranges for taking shots at game. The standardization should also help when comparing different reticles and scope magnifications prior to purchasing a new scope.

5) Can I use references in the reticle to improve precision of aiming?

Yes – up to a point. Let’s look at the duplex sight as an example: the point where the thin section changes to thick gives an excellent reference as long as a reliably repeatable feature of the target is near where the junction needs to be placed. A more subtle reference is the space between the crosshair and the start of the thick section. The reference, in this case can be a larger portion of the target. For example, the whole chest can be placed between the crosshair and the start of the thick section provided the trajectory and sight-in would cause the bullet to center on the vital zone at that range and sight picture.

The mil-dot, and other reticles with multiple features allow a much richer collection of references and range estimation opportunities.

6) Why isn’t my favorite target available?

We frequently add new targets to the database. Your comments heavily influence which target images get brought in sooner. So don’t hesitate to use the “Contact Us” or comment buttons to make a request. The “Contact Us” keeps your request private. The comments usually get seen by everyone. Use good judgement in your requests — Requests for human or household pets, etc. as target images will not be considered — Webmaster

7) Why isn’t my favorite scope reticle/power shown in the menu?

As with the targets, we frequently add new items. Vote for which ones get soonest by sending a comment in the box at the bottom of this page!

8 ) Why isn’t my favorite load available?

The loads currently available are an interim solution to getting a full-fledged trajectory calculator. We expect to have this available in the next few months. In the meantime, it is OK to send a request — the popular loads will likely be implemented!