How Much Does Temperature Effect Bullet Impact?

by
posted on June 28, 2013
** 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 (8)

The Background
I got an email from a reader who was looking to order a CDS dial from Leupold, which requires certain information (including altitude, temperature, etc.).  He was concerned about what temperature to provide them. What if his dial said 80 degrees Fahrenheit and he was hunting in 40-degree weather?

The Question
What effect does temperature have on a bullet’s impact at reasonable hunting distances?

The Data
We’ll take a fairly common hunting round, the .270 Winchester with a 130 gr. TTSX bullet. The Barnes Vor-Tx factory load advertises a muzzle velocity of 3060 fps.  Using the Hornady Ballistics Calculator, we will set the altitude, barometric pressure, and humidity at a constant (Sea Level, 29.53 hg, 78 percent) and adjust temperature to determine the variance.

Bullet drop

Distance (yards):        200      300      400      500

100 Deg F                   2.8”     10.7”   24.6”   45.4”

80   Deg F                   2.9”     10.9”   25”      46.3”

30   Deg F                   3”        11.2”   26”      48.6”

0     Deg F                   3”        11.5”   26.7”   50.3”

The Results
As you can see from the numbers, temperature has a minimal effect on bullet drop at reasonable hunting distances. All things being equal, bullets will drop more at lower temperatures, but the difference is negligible. (Note: Changes in temperature are often accompanied by changes in humidity and pressure that can give you different results)

The Ruling
Temperature is a non-factor for 98 percent of shots in big-game hunting. Even with a temperature swing of 50 degrees, the difference in point-of-impact is only an inch at 400 yards. I don’t know about you, but I can’t hold an inch at 400 yards under hunting conditions. If you’re ordering a custom dial, use a reasonable “average” temperature for the locales where you’ll be hunting and put it out of your head.

Latest

W3570 TAH 1528
W3570 TAH 1528

Hardware Review: Nosler Whitetail Country Ammunition

Frank Melloni gives an in-depth review of this new whitetail slayer from Nosler.

NRA Now Accepting Applications for Public Range Grants

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is pleased to announce the reopening of the NRA's Public Range Fund. Established in 2009, the NRA Public Range Fund is a grant-matching program that encourages city and county governments, along with state or federal agencies, to work with the NRA to build and improve public ranges across the United States.

#SundayGunday: Browning Citori 825 Sporting

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the Citori 825 Sporting shotgun, from Browning. A classic over/under, this is a scattergun designed to shine on the sporting clays course.

In Memoriam: Frank R. Brownell III, June 24, 1939 – June 18, 2025

American Hunter sadly marks the passage of a legendary businessman, marketer and friend of hunters, gun owners and the Second Amendment: Frank R. Brownell III, who with his father, Bob, and son, Pete, placed Brownells Inc. and its products foremost in the minds of gun owners everywhere, passed away on June 18, 2025, after a lengthy illness, just six days away from his 86th birthday.

An Ode to the Ruger 10/22

Philip Massaro writes a glowing encomium of his father's favorite little rimfire—the Ruger 10/22.

Grant Deadlines Approaching in Arizona and Michigan

Groups in Arizona and Michigan still have time to apply for grants from their respective wildlife departments.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.