Kestrel 4dof or applied ballistics?

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Bustercluck

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I’m trying to get through the differences on the two kestrels to get an idea of which one would be better for me shooting prs style stuff. Just trying to get some insight from someone who’s used both or has done the research. I went to my first match recently and it was quite a ways from where I normally shoot and the corrections were quite different from my home range. I have a magnteospeed coming my way to get started.

Are they similar? I went through the hornady version as well as I could and from what I gather, I have to run my bullet with my speed through a bc calculator to get a close estimate for trajectory under the exact conditions I’m in and then true the kestrel out at 300m-800m to make up for the differences in bc from rifle to rifle? Once this is done I can put my distance for my intended shot into the kestrel anywhere I’m shooting and it’ll give me dope for my target? The hornady version didn’t have any of the bullets I shoot in their library, but I’m guessing it doesn’t matter much as long as I can run dope through their bc calculator and then move to trueing. The other downfall of the hornady version is I can only load three rifles/loads into the memory. Right now I already have three rifles that id like to load on it and I might even try running two different loads through my 223, one for our to 600m and a heavier load for getting out to 1000

Is applied ballistics pretty much the same?
 
Second question as I’m thinking about this.

Can I buy a regular kestrel, true my muzzle velocity and use an app for a fraction of the price? I also plan on using this for hunting out of cell range too.
 
I've used an AB Kestrel Elite for 5+ years now but the only experience I have with 4DOF is the app. Both will give you good dope, it's mostly about the small differences (interface, how many profiles you can store, etc) than anything else. If memory serves, the AB Elite is quite a bit more expensive than the 4DOF vs (which is about the same price as the "basic" AB version which can also only hold 3 profiles). AB Elite gives you access to all of AB's library of bullets whereas 4DOF I think only has Hornady's bullets.

In regards to using a Kestrel (be it AB or 4DOF) you build a profile for you rifle/load with muzzle velocity, BC, height over bore, barrel twist, etc and the Kestrel pulls the environmental data to calculate your firing solution. You generally true for speed around 600 yards and BC closer to 1000 (although I've never had to true any of mine and they'e been good out past a mile). If you accurately input all the data points/measurements that the Kestrel require for the rifle profile, you get very precise firing solutions. The only thing that can be off is your muzzle velocity if the particular powder/load you use is temp sensitive. You can chrono your ammo at different temperatures and input that information into the Kestrel (in AB at least, not sure for 4DOF) and it will calculate how your MV varies with temp and will automatically correct your MV for the current temp.

As to your 2nd post, yes, you can get a regular Kestrel (I think the cheapest one that does density altitude is the 2500 but I could be wrong) to use for atmospherics and just use a ballistic app. I used Ballistics AE as well as the AB app prior to having a Kestrel and they gave reliable dope. I mostly went with the AB Kestrel to have a rugged device that didn't require the use of a cell phone.
 
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