Does Rain Lower Your Bullet's Point of Impact?

by
posted on July 31, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bs_2015_fs.jpg (9)

undefinedThe Myth
Shooting in the rain causes bullets to impact lower than normal.

The Reasoning
It's simple, right? A bullet flies horizontally, raindrops hit the bullet from above, imparting their mass on it, causing the bullet to fall faster and impact the target lower.

The Facts
Sometimes the physics are counter-intuitive.

Fact is, bullets normally impact higher than normal when it's raining, as anyone who has shot extensively in the rain knows. Why? As the NRA Fact Book states: "Changes in humidity have little effect on the air density, and thus on the flight of the bullet. Changes in barometric pressure, on the other hand, do have an effect. In general, fair weather is accompanied by a high barometer, which means more air density and more resistance to the bullet. Likewise, rainy weather is likely to occur at times of low barometer, when air pressure is low, producing less air density and resistance to the bullet. A drop of 1" in the barometric reading will increase the ballistic coefficient by about 3.33 percent."

The Answer
Shooting in the rain generally causes bullets to impact higher than normal, not lower.

And oh, what a glorious feeling ... to be shooting in the rain!

Latest

Ledefederal And Remington Logos
Ledefederal And Remington Logos

Federal and Remington Awarded FBI Rifle Ammunition Contracts

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently awarded Federal and Remington Ammunition—both part of The Kinetic Group (TKG)—one of the largest law enforcement contracts in TKG's history.

Range Review: SoundGear Phantom

In the market for a set of ear plugs comfortable enough to wear all day, and effective enough to clearly hear your surroundings, whether on the trap line or in the hunting blind? Look no further. Champion trap shooter, ATA All-American, and member of the Jacksonville University Clay Target Team Nicole Hood shares her thorough, competition-tested review of the SoundGear Phantoms.

Member's Hunt: Hunting the ‘Terrible’ Moose

This story of an adventurous moose hunt comes to us from Colt Hubbell of Nampa, Idaho.

Landmark Increase in Hunting Access to Federal Land on the Horizon

The Department of Interior has released details of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) proposed expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities, the largest in agency history. National Park Service actions to remove unnecessary hunting-related restrictions across National Park System units—where hunting is authorized by law—were also included in the announcement.

Bear(ly) Armed—Bear Defense Calibers

A perusal of some fun and effective sidearm options for your spring black bear adventures.

First Look: Lumenok Adds Two Lighted Crossbow Nocks

Lumenok has introduced two additions to its lighted nock lineup: the TP 254 Nock for TenPoint bolts and the SQ300 Nock for Scorpyd crossbows.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.