Does rain effect bullet flight path.??

[Ned Kelly]

G'Day DC,
I was refering to the Army/USMC M24/M40 (Rem700) in 7.62x51mm (.308win) as they must be capable of 1000yd hits to qualify.

Most of their shots in anger will be less than that but they need to know they can do it if needs be. Beyond 1000, the USMC use a 300WM and there is plenty of research going on into calibres between the 308 and the 50BMG i.e. 338lapua, 416 cheytac etc etc.

Also, that NF ballistic program, a laser range finder and Kestrel "weather station" fill in all the necessary bits without guesstimation of old days.

Cheerio Ned

[macca]

I have never had much trouble with rain effecting the bullet over normal distances.(Not talking torrential down pours either).One bonus of rain is that it gives a very good indication of wind.You actually see the effects gusts have.Have shot some good scores in F class on wet days.
Have a good one,
Macca

[Tony Z]

Macca, until a few years ago i would have agreed with you about shooting good scores in the rain.
On the cover of the October 2005 Precision Shooter, you will see myself seated behind my HG at one of our 1K matches, and Jeff Rogers holding an umbrella to shield both me and the rifle from the weather. It was undoubtedly one of the worst groups i have ever shot out of this rifle. Around the 15 inch mark from memory, round and open. Rain is not ones friend at IK. Clean air and good windflags are.


Both Jeff and i are proud of this photo as we are one of the few that are living to grace this cover. You have to be either dead or some sort of custom rifle to get a cover on this magazine. Maybe some were telling us, in their own way, to hurry up and die.

Tony Z.

[macca]

Hi Tony,
I actually think that might be considered torrential.Someone needs to invent wipers for the scope if you have to shoot in that.You did well to hit the target.

I think they had something like that at Canberra Queens a few years back where the blokes who got caught in it were empting the water out of their scopes and ammo boxes..Makes life interesting.

Have a good one,
Macca

[Kenny]

jeezus ..thats wet

I can see a caption or too appearing on that photo soon

KY

[Model70]

jeezus ..thats wet

I can see a caption or too appearing on that photo soon

KY

Such as "faark, wish we where at Silverdale!"

or,

"Just spent 6grand getting this rifle built and only picked her up yesterday "

[Kenny]

M70

I was thinking......

" Bit wet Jeff ".......

"yeah it's a bit wet Tone"....

I will have to do it..I'm sure they can take it

KY

[bustedleg]

Now you lot have given me a headache with all the maths
Best way I found is to get my sighters accurate then see what happens and aim off accordingly (I have gone to great lengths to forget all the stuff needed to be a successfull people killer I had to learn)

[kurcha]

How about some expirement on sunny day shoot a target notice the groups , then shoot another target over large pond (people whith property could do that eazy ) check the drop


cheers

[macca]

How about some expirement on sunny day shoot a target notice the groups , then shoot another target over large pond (people whith property could do that eazy ) check the drop

Know what you mean kurcha.Late last year my club put a dam in front of the 300 yards mounds and now its full I have new figures for my range zeros.
Macca

[Ben C]

I am unsure about the maths, but from my personal experience at shooting long ranges in the rain I will say that there is a noticeable effect on the bullet. In one instance, I was shooting F-Class at 800 metres in Mackay, when I started to shoot it was only raining lightly. By the time I was firing the last couple of shots, the rain had progressively gotton heavier and heavier. The target was still visible but difficult to see. I had gradually had to wind up my elevation knob about 1.5moa than when I started the range - so I would say that in this case the bullet drop was approx 300mm greater in heavier rain than lighter rain over 800m using .308 with 155 pills .

That's my experience .

Regards
Ben...

[RDavies]

Jeeze Tony, thats not hard rain. Its only North QLD drizzle.
Shooting smaller bullets than most people do at F class, I have had similar results to Ben C. (No, not the scores, just the bullet drop). As the rain picked up, I did have to crank up higher, with a few wild shots along the way. Whether this was because the bullets were pretty light (60-70gn) or whether the lower BC (flat base and large meplats) didnt cut through the air, or if rain drops actualy upset the bullet I dont know.

[Aussie_bob]

Those long range sniper shots quoted earlier could anyone tell me which shot it was? Was it his first try or did he just keep lobbing them down spotting fall of shot till he got a hit or is it one of those things like don`t let the facts stuff up a good story.