Shooting In The Rain....

[DeerhoundLurcherMan 997]

Having just been granted my first centerfire (.223) ive been doing quite a lot of reading on just about everything from rifle reviews, ammo, ballistics, scopes...ect.

 

Something that just crossed my mind as i looked out the window in the pissing hard rain was, does rain effect bullet travel at range?

 

Maybe a silly question...

 

I'm guessing not many folk zero in in the pissing hard rain...

[hutchey 147]

Guess it's like wind, the harder it rains then it must do something? Right? Wrong? Lol

[shropshire dan 467]

I imagine a few rain drops on a bullet in flight could effect poi

[RogerTheCat 3]

I was told that as a bullet travels forward it creates a short of bow wave out of air as it parts it, a bit like a bow wave caused by a boat. This bow wave pushes the rain out if the way and so the rain does not effect the flight of the bullet. I am not sure if someone was trying to wind me up when they told me this or if its true

[shropshire dan 467]

If that is true it's preety impressive mate

[maktayla 50]

DeerhoundLurcherMan

Glad you asked the question. Its something i've wondered about as well. I know water has a massive impact on a bullet and what i have seen is it loses its energy dramatically within as little as 12 inches of water. If you were in the sea, within 2 foot under the surface and someone shot a .308 round for example into the water, the bullet would not kill you. I know I am rabbling on, sorry. It still very interesting to know though if a bullet travelling at 3000+fps hitting all those rain drops would affect it. Good question. I wonder if anyone can answer it.

Now you mention rain, I have been wondering...... If I was out in the rain, heavy at times, and I was walking with my rifle over my shoulder and barrel facing skywards would I have to worry about rain going down the barrell? Would it be safe to shoot?

[slipper 116]

I have wondered that aswell water in the barrel or at least the mod surely would effect poi as we keep our kit spotless to maintain accuracy

[celticrusader 78]

Well I know one thing...the rain would not be hitting the bullet as I believe the bullet is travelling at such a speed as apposed to the rain that we see falling with the naked eye I believe it would be almost stationary every particle of rain that comes in contact with the bullet if infact it does cone in contact.

Maybe the bullet is burning so hot that the rain evaporates before contact.

[maktayla 50]

Im sure I seen a video on youtube covering this subject. Im sure he fired some rounds throgh water coming from a shower and it did effect the POI. I would imagine calibre and bullet weight would be a big factor and also distance to the target.

Im still interested though on carrying your rifle in the rain. Sure I read once,a guy put insulation tape over the end of his barrel and it didnt affect trajectory. I dont know what to think of that.

[Alsone 789]

Im sure I seen a video on youtube covering this subject. Im sure he fired some rounds throgh water coming from a shower and it did effect the POI. I would imagine calibre and bullet weight would be a big factor and also distance to the target.

Im still interested though on carrying your rifle in the rain. Sure I read once,a guy put insulation tape over the end of his barrel and it didnt affect trajectory. I dont know what to think of that.

 

The pressure wave in front of the bullet probably burst the tape before the bullet got there.

 

Don't forget, at the end of the barrel it will be more pronounced as the only way it can travel is forwards.

[maktayla 50]

Yes Alsone. He said himself he had no issues with it at all. It might have been on the huntinglife I read it. Im still interested though, (without stealing Lurchermans post, sorry if i am mate), do you need to keep your barrel in a downward position if it is raining. For arguments sake, we'll say when on a stalk for example. If rain water gets in the barrel, can it pose any danger andso on?

[DeerhoundLurcherMan 997]

No worries, I'm also interested...

[Cedric 132]

If you're woried about rain or snow getting down your barrel, rifle or shotgun, pop a condom over it (old Army trick ) then just shoot right through it !

[alan81 110]

whenever I'm out in the rain I always carry the gun facing down it just seemed to make sense to me. when it comes to rain affecting trajectory I saw a video on youtube in slow motion showing that it does affect trajectory and can even affect the shape of the bullet. think about it if its raining heavy the bullet will have to travel through a few litres of water before it gets to 300 yards. I don't know how much rain will affect the trajectory but it makes sense that it will.

[maktayla 50]

If you're woried about rain or snow getting down your barrel, rifle or shotgun, pop a condom over it (old Army trick ) then just shoot right through it !

Nice one Cedric. Ive got to be careful with that one. Her indoors finds out I am buying condoms for shooting......need i go on.