Does Rain Lower Your Bullet's Point of Impact?

by
posted on July 31, 2014
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

LEDE Hunter Travelling Gear
LEDE Hunter Travelling Gear

Gear Roundup for the Travelling Hunter

Looking for ways to hit the road this fall? Check out these gear options for the travelling hunter.

Young Turkey Hunters Post Big Numbers

Hunters aged 6 to 15 checked 1,443 gobblers during the Arkansas youth turkey hunts April 12 and 13, an increase of 22 percent over last year’s total. Meanwhile young turkey hunters in Ohio, enjoying their state’s special season to pursue gobblers the same weekend, took 1,740, beating the three-season average of 1,571 birds.

How to Decipher Turkey Movement

If you hunt turkeys long enough, you’ll see them do some crazy, unexpected things. Our man’s seen plenty of that, too—enough to make him think long and hard about how to counter some “Crazy Ivan” moves.

Federal’s Break Clays & Save Shotshell Rebate Program is Underway

Federal Ammunition's Break Clays & Save rebate for Federal Premium High Over All (HOA) 12- or 20-gauge will run until June 30, 2025. Shooters can now buy some of Federal’s best clay target loads and get up to $50 back.

Hornady Introduces 25 Creedmoor

Hornady has announced its new 25 Creedmoor. Recently SAAMI accepted, the 25 Creedmoor continues the legacy of the Creedmoor family of cartridges.

Tested: Taurus 608 .357 Magnum Revolver

Can a large-frame, double-action .38-caliber wheeler still serve as a multi-purpose handgun? Read on to find out!

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.