5 Best Free Apps For Gun Owners
RangeLog
Range Log (RANGELOG) is an app to track results of shooting drills, track target scoring, and keep track of batch details of reloaded ammo. The app provides reports that help you analyze your shooting performance. RangeLog can show performance details following live and dry-fire training, as well as competitions. There is a Free version and a Paid version with many more tracking options.
IPSC Shot Timer
Currently, my personal favorite of the apps is the IPSC Shot Timer. It’s Free. The app uses your device’s microphone to track ‘shots’ or, more accurately, changes in decibel level over a certain threshold. It can be used for live fire or dry fire practice. Setting the sensitivity level is crucial to getting accurate readings. Even in a relatively quiet setting, you would be surprised what your microphone can pick up. Before any use of the app, it is best to go to Settings and calibrate the db level by doing a test fire. If live-fire training, do this in a safe direction.
One major downside to this app is that it doesn’t track sounds or shots accurately if the phone is moved closer or farther away from the source of the sound. So, unless all your shooting or dry-fire practice is done the same distance from the phone, it will likely not pick up all the shots. There are other versions of this app, but they function the same way.
Essentially, the IPSC Shot Timer app is a digital substitute for a conventional shot timer device. If you plan on actual drills with movement and accurate score-keeping, this app is not for you. It is really just IPSC Competition Pocket Pro Shot Timerfor some fun at the range with friends. The professional competition shooters practice with an actual shot timer device like the Pocket Pro Timer. For any serious shooting practice, clip one of these on your belt, and get off the X!
Mil Range Finder – FREE/PAID Upgrades
The Range Finder app is designed for shooters. The app allows you to quickly estimate ranges with a Mil Dot Scope. If you have a smart phone and know about how tall your target is, you can quickly get a distance calculation. It won’t be the most accurate, but in a pinch, this app will get you a yardage estimate.
Strelok
Strelok Ballistic Calculator is an app for, well, ballistic calculations. The app’s intended use is for helping users to shoot accurately at various ranges with rifles. It takes a lot of input but the app can be very useful and fun if you do any amount of distance shooting. First, insert distance (yards) to the target, slope/angle, wind speed, wind direction, and weather conditions. Second, select scope height from the bore, zero distance, scope reticle style, and scope click units. Next, select rifle type and rifle cartridge, and press Calculate. The app gives you required scope clicks, hold-over, bullet drop, and other nifty details. You can even store profiles for your particular rifle setup and even specific bullet (cartridge) types for follow-up sessions.
Range Buddy
Range Buddy is another Free app that helps keep track of inventory and performance. The app uses the phone’s camera to take pictures of targets and analyzes shot placement. It manages shooting results, records shooting conditions, and also allows the user to calculate group size and share the results on social media.
