EXTERNAL BALLISTICS

Location: 2103 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414

Time: 6:00 PM
Format: Non-live fire classroom instruction
Online Option: Live webinar available for remote participants (will be emailed link upon registration)

Duration: 2 Hours | Format: Non-Live Fire Classroom Instruction

Course Overview

This comprehensive classroom course provides students with a foundational understanding of external ballistics—the science of projectile flight from muzzle to target. Students will learn how gravity, atmospheric conditions, and bullet design influence trajectory, and gain insight into the environmental factors that affect precision at long range. This course demystifies the physics behind bullet flight and equips shooters with the knowledge to understand what happens after the trigger is pulled.

Training Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will:

• Define external ballistics and its importance in precision shooting

• Understand ballistic coefficients and drag models (G1 and G7)

• Understand gravity's effect on bullet flight and trajectory

• Define max ordinate and calculate bullet drop

• Understand the difference between station pressure and barometric pressure

• Understand how altitude, temperature, and humidity affect bullet trajectory

• Understand the Coriolis effect and when it matters

• Learn about spin drift and angled shooting considerations

• Recognize how environmental factors combine to influence long-range accuracy

• Apply external ballistics knowledge to improve shooting performance

Course Content Highlights

Foundations of External Ballistics

• Definition and the three phases of ballistics

• Fundamental forces acting on a bullet in flight

• Why external ballistics matters for precision shooting

Gravity and Trajectory

• Understanding gravity's constant acceleration

• Bullet drop and max ordinate explained

• Line of sight vs. line of bore

• Trajectory visualization

Ballistic Coefficients and Drag Models

• What is a ballistic coefficient (BC)?

• G1 drag model (origin and limitations)

• G7 drag model (advantages for modern bullets)

• Advanced drag modeling: Doppler radar and custom drag curves

• 4DOF and axial form factor explained

Atmospheric Conditions and Their Effects

• Barometric pressure vs. station pressure (critical difference)

• Altitude effects on air density and trajectory

• Temperature effects on air density and powder performance

• Humidity effects (the counterintuitive truth)

Advanced Environmental Factors

• Coriolis effect: what it is and when it matters

• Spin drift from barrel rifling

• Angled shooting (incline/decline compensation)

• The rifleman's rule and cosine angle compensation

Wind and Its Effects

• Horizontal wind drift and crosswind deflection

• Vertical wind component (updrafts and downdrafts)

• Full value, half value, and no value winds

• Combined wind effects in mountainous terrain

Integrating External Ballistics Knowledge

• How multiple environmental factors combine

• Understanding density altitude

• Real-world trajectory prediction

• Using ballistic solvers effectively

• Validating ballistic data in the field

Who Should Attend

This course is essential for any precision rifle shooter who wants to understand the science behind long-range shooting. Whether you're a competitive shooter looking to gain an edge, a hunter preparing for extended-range opportunities, a law enforcement professional requiring mission-critical accuracy, or simply a student of marksmanship, understanding external ballistics is fundamental to consistent precision shooting performance.

Prerequisites: No prior physics or mathematics background required. Concepts are explained in practical, shooter-friendly terms.

What to Bring

Bring a notebook and any questions you have about external ballistics. This is a classroom-based, non-live fire event.

Questions?

Contact info@thecadretraining.com for additional information about this course, pricing, or registration details.