Abstract:
A reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system such as a riflescope includes a primary aiming mark adapted to be sighted-in at a first selected range and further includes a plurality of secondary aiming marks spaced apart below the primary aiming mark. The secondary aiming marks are positioned to compensate for ballistic drop at preselected incremental ranges beyond the first selected range, for a selected group of ammunition having similar ballistic characteristics. Angles subtended by adjacent aiming marks of the reticle can be adjusted by changing the optical power of the riflescope, to thereby compensate for ballistic characteristics of different ammunition. In some embodiments, the reticle includes a set of windage aiming marks spaced apart along at least one secondary horizontal axis intersecting a selected one of the secondary aiming marks, to facilitate compensation for the effect of crosswinds on the trajectory of the projectile.
Abstract:
A method for aiming a projectile weapon involves identifying a projectile group corresponding to a selected projectile and its nominal initial velocity from at least two different predetermined groups of projectiles, determining a range to a target, and automatically determining an aiming adjustment for aiming the projectile weapon based on the range to the target and a nominal ballistic characteristic of the projectile group. The nominal ballistic characteristic of the projectile group may be characteristic of a ballistic coefficient of the selected projectile and the nominal initial velocity of the selected projectile. Also disclosed are systems and methods for determining hold over aiming data and equivalent horizontal range data, for aiming projectile weapons at inclined targets.
Abstract:
A method for aiming a projectile weapon involves identifying a projectile group corresponding to a selected projectile and its nominal initial velocity from at least two different predetermined groups of projectiles, determining a range to a target, and automatically determining an aiming adjustment for aiming the projectile weapon based on the range to the target and a nominal ballistic characteristic of the projectile group. The nominal ballistic characteristic of the projectile group may be characteristic of a ballistic coefficient of the selected projectile and the nominal initial velocity of the selected projectile. Also disclosed are systems and methods for determining hold over aiming data and equivalent horizontal range data, for aiming projectile weapons at inclined targets.
Abstract:
A method for shooting a projectile weapon involves determining the inclination of a line of sight from a vantage point to a target and a line-of-sight range to the target, then predicting a trajectory parameter at the line-of-sight range, for a preselected projectile. Using the trajectory parameter, an equivalent horizontal range may then be determined, wherein the equivalent horizontal range is the range at which the trajectory parameter would be expected to occur if the projectile were shot from the vantage point toward a theoretical target located in a horizontal plane intersecting the vantage point. The equivalent horizontal range may be utilized to compensate for ballistic drop when shooting the projectile weapon. The method may be embodied in a handheld laser rangefinder including a memory for storing ballistic data. Systems for automatic hold over adjustment in a weapon aiming device are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A reticle of a projectile weapon aiming system such as a riflescope includes a primary aiming mark adapted to be sighted-in at a first selected range and further includes a plurality of secondary aiming marks spaced apart below the primary aiming mark. The secondary aiming marks are positioned to compensate for ballistic drop at preselected incremental ranges beyond the first selected range, for a selected group of ammunition having similar ballistic characteristics. Angles subtended by adjacent aiming marks of the reticle can be adjusted by changing the optical power of the riflescope, to thereby compensate for ballistic characteristics of different ammunition. In some embodiments, the reticle includes a set of windage aiming marks spaced apart along at least one secondary horizontal axis intersecting a selected one of the secondary aiming marks, to facilitate compensation for the effect of crosswinds on the trajectory of the projectile.