How does rain effect bullet trajectory?

[hammAR]

Check it out 7.57 m/sec compared to a 3000 fps bullet (914 m/sec). The raindrops would essentually be frozen in place during the bullets flight, so it would most likely be a funcion of rain density over the caliber diameter and distance. So probably pretty light since all you guys wouldn't be shooting in a torrential downpour...or at ranges exceeding 100 yds....

[Payne]

Based on observing long range portions of 3-gun matches, while shooting in rain of biblical proportions, you can see small water explosions while the bullet is inroute to the target, but you didn't really notice any affect on accuracy.

In other words, the targets were hit the same as if there was no rain, but the bullet did indeed contact something (or the bullets shockwave did), because you could actually see puffs of water vapor as the bullet traveled. At least I assumed it was from the bullet traveling since it was right on path to the target.

I saw this with several different shooters on the stage and none of the shooters talked about having to change their aim to hit the targets. Keeping in mind these were 10" targets at 300 - 350 yrds so there was quite a lot of room for error.

[Snowgun]

Based on observing long range portions of 3-gun matches, while shooting in rain of biblical proportions, you can see small water explosions while the bullet is inroute to the target, but you didn't really notice any affect on accuracy.

In other words, the targets were hit the same as if there was no rain, but the bullet did indeed contact something (or the bullets shockwave did), because you could actually see puffs of water vapor as the bullet traveled. At least I assumed it was from the bullet traveling since it was right on path to the target.

I saw this with several different shooters on the stage and none of the shooters talked about having to change their aim to hit the targets. Keeping in mind these were 10" targets at 300 - 350 yrds so there was quite a lot of room for error.

Accuracy is not the same thing as Precision!



Hence no need to change aim, the spread just opened a little, and with 10" targets that probably didn't matter much. I would have liked to see the vapor puffs, that sounds cool!

[hammAR]

Rain by itself does not affect the bullet trajectory, it may however affect the shooter.

My Mod-70 (308) is zeroed at 400 yds, and I shoot a lot, rain or shine. The only differences I have been able to see are the pressure, humidity, temperatures, and wind associated with the rain storm. So long as I compensated for the current conditions properly, things have been spot on.

In fact, I would much prefer to shoot in the rain that in heat.

[Pat Cannon]

I heard that about your driving, But not Bullets!

I can attest that he does go subsonic when he hits hub deep mud.

Also, when attempting to accelerate from the subsonic, there is sometimes a phenomenon that looks a lot like the photos of the jets, though I suppose that may have had something to do with the radiator hose.