Do you agree? The effects of shooting in the rain ...

[Lefty38-55]

I just read through all this ... where gurus in Physics argued the same question about the effect of rain on a fired bullet ... I'll spare you the reading, as wow - they fought like anything over the formulas and whether or not mass or momemtum was the most critical component! Assume rain as in good droplets, like those that would sting your face if out on the boat in a good rain storm zooming for home at 40mph ... rain, not a shower, no mist or 'baby' shower here ...

The Effect a Raindrop Has On a Bullet

I had asked a question on the effect Recoil has on a bullet's trajectory and got wonderful help from this site. Thank you! Now I have another question... I used to think rain had no effect on a bullet until I realized I wasn't actually hitting any raindrops, when I started hitting them, I...

www.physicsforums.com

Setup
Rifle: Howa 1500 in 30-06 cartridge
Load: Hornady 150gr FMJ, 2600fps, Varget 46.6gr, CCI 200 primer, Winchester case
Range: 300-yards, Water dropper devise placed 260-yards from target
Shots:
Shots 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9; hit water drops (verified by video), making an 8" group.
Shots 1, 2, 7, and 10; did not hit drops, making a 1.5" group.

Conclusion
The group shot that hit water drops was over 5 times the size of the group that didn't.

 

[coop2564]

I have not ever shot passed 600yds in rain, but too 600yds in light rain it had no effect on my shooting.

 

[b6graham]

shot a PRS match a few weeks ago is nasty downpours

had no impact on my wind or elevation out to 995 with a 105hybrid at 2950fps

 

[cohunt]

It depends on the humidity ;-)

 

[Varmint Hunter]

No noticeable effect on point of impact or group size at 400yds with a variety of accurate hunting rifles.

 

[Ol' Red]

I think shivering in a cold rain would effect the shooter more than the bullet. I do not think rain changes bullet path enough to matter. I did like to vote knowing it was not along party lines.

 

[SPitty]

I read an article in Guns & Ammo (I think) where they created a test and the rain drop that hit the in flight bullet did impact it's trajectory, and it resulted in the bullet hitting the target far from the POA. Dave Emary performed the test and wrote the article. I forgot to add that the test they ran and other experience Emary had indicated that rain drops rarely hit the bullet while it is in flight.

I decided to look for the article and here it is:

Effects of Rain on Bullet Trajectory - Guns and Ammo

Does shooting in the rain affect a bullet's trajectory?

www.gunsandammo.com

 

[cornshank]

Pass

 

[Plinker147]

Very simple, rain has no effect on the beer I drink in camp, only thing rain does is make me stay at camp. This issue will never impact my bullets because I will be too tipsy cuz I wont hunt/shoot in rain.

 

[Lefty38-55]

Wow ... interesting comments all! Thanks!

Now ... where are the Myth Busters when you need them??????

 

[Gundog74]

I got caught out on the range one time in a pop up shower. Was at 1000 yards and really wanted to get a couple more shots in. No noticeable change in the pouring rain. I was amazed.

 

[milo-2]

I have read one downpour and one pouring rain, I guess I would have to ask if it was raining that hard, how was the target visible.
I have shot in lighter rains, with no effect whatsoever, actually it was quite fun. Shooting steel in light rain or a good fog with heavy air, see your bullet all the way to target, sound coming back is almost instantaneous.
My vote would be no, not from experience, but from what I have read. But like I said above, it if is that bad, and your target was fading in and out, I wouldn't bet that I am correct.

 

[Gundog74]

I have read one downpour and one pouring rain, I guess I would have to ask if it was raining that hard, how was the target visible.
I have shot in lighter rains, with no effect whatsoever, actually it was quite fun. Shooting steel in light rain or a good fog with heavy air, see your bullet all the way to target, sound coming back is almost instantaneous.
My vote would be no, not from experience, but from what I have read. But like I said above, it if is that bad, and your target was fading in and out, I wouldn't bet that I am correct.

In our case the target was hard to see, but good glass is a help. It was so bad we listened for the gong sound from the plate. We didn't see it move.

 

[SPitty]

Here is the Guns and Ammo article written by Dave Emary concerning the effect of rain:

Effects of Rain on Bullet Trajectory - Guns and Ammo

Does shooting in the rain affect a bullet's trajectory?

www.gunsandammo.com