The Cats ate my Homework.

Right you are, Emily! And that leads into a tiny bit more math and science.
The basic answer is, of course, to multiply the 11.15 MOA times 5 = 55.75” of bullet drop (almost 5 feet!) BUT, the real world answer has many more variables:

1. Are the shooter and the target at the same elevation?
2. What are the atmospheric conditions?
3. What is the exact distance to the target?

The first variable is pretty straightforward. If both are at the same elevation, it’s a non-issue. However, if one is higher or lower, you have just introduced some geometry into the equation. Since most of your shooting will be level, we’ll look at this later.

The third variable is also straightforward. Emily informed us that the distance was 500 yards, but what was it exactly? If it was 496 or 507 yards, that actually makes a difference. Luckily, the 21st century has laser range finders. But maybe you don’t have one? There’s another way. But also later.

It’s the second question that is most important. What is going on in the air that the bullet must travel through? What is the temperature, the air pressure, the humidity, the elevation? If the air is thick and cold, it will slow the bullet down; likewise, if is thin and hot, the bullet will go faster.

Luckily, people much smarter than you and me have combined all these factors into one variable – Density Altitude, or DA. This number provides us with one number to enter into our firing solution. The best thing about DA is that you can be anywhere in the world and at any temperature, etc. and if the DA is the same, your bullet will react exactly the same. By far, this is the most important variable.

Yes, ma’am!