What does "ballistic coefficient" measure?

• A. The speed of a bullet upon firing
• B. A bullet's ability to overcome air resistance in flight
• C. The weight of the bullet
• D. The angle of firing

Answer: (B)

Ballistic coefficient (BC) measures a bullet's ability to overcome air resistance during its flight. It is a critical factor that helps in understanding how well a bullet will maintain its velocity and trajectory over distance. A higher ballistic coefficient indicates that a bullet is more aerodynamic, enabling it to travel further with less drop and drift caused by wind and air resistance. This means that bullets with higher BCs are more efficient in flight, allowing snipers to make more accurate long-range shots.

Other options, while related to bullets, do not define what the ballistic coefficient is. The speed of a bullet upon firing is more about its muzzle velocity, while the weight of the bullet is a separate characteristic, and the angle of firing pertains to how the bullet is launched rather than its flight characteristics.