Enter the bullet weight and velocity into the calculator to determine the bullet’s power factor. The power factor is a measure used in competitive shooting to score the momentum of a bullet.

Bullet Power Factor Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the bullet power factor.

PF = (BW * V) / 1000

Variables:

  • PF is the power factor
  • BW is the bullet weight in grains
  • V is the velocity of the bullet in feet per second (fps)

To calculate the bullet power factor, multiply the bullet weight by the velocity and then divide by 1000.

What is a Bullet Power Factor?

The bullet power factor is a measure used in competitive shooting to ensure fairness and safety. It is calculated by multiplying the bullet weight by its velocity and dividing by 1000. This calculation gives a number that represents the momentum of the bullet, which is used to classify shooters into different divisions based on the recoil and stopping power of their ammunition.

How to Calculate Bullet Power Factor?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Bullet Power Factor.


  1. First, determine the bullet weight (BW) in grains.
  2. Next, determine the velocity of the bullet (V) in feet per second.
  3. Next, gather the formula from above = PF = (BW * V) / 1000.
  4. Finally, calculate the Bullet Power Factor (PF).
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

bullet weight (BW) = 230 grains

velocity (V) = 850 feet per second