Does rain affect bullet flight?

[nehalemguy]

Raging debate going on right now while we are waiting for a heavy shower to pass (no one wants to get wet changing targets).

Question:
Is a bullet's flight trajectory impacted by colliding with a raindrop as it travels toward a target.

I think the answer is yes, but to varying degrees based on size and number of impacts.

Others here say it makes little or no difference.

Thoughts?

E

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[d2the3]

I don't see how it could not impact the the bullets travel path... so my vote is yes rain has an impact!

 

[Lowpower]

New kid on the block., so Hi!

I've shot a lot of matches in the rain and there are more than one school of thought on the subject. One has to do with generally still air and the high humidity has a tendency ease the flight of the bullet along it's path. Another is if the bullet hits a raindrop it could go anywhere. There's more but I'm kind of in the first one I mentioned. as I've never had a bullet deflect, at least that I could notice, during a match.

Lp

 

[The Heretic]

The answer is yes.

Ballistic calculators take into account humidity, so certain rain has an effect.

The next question of course, is how much is the effect?

I would say the degree of effect depends on how much rain, but there is an effect.

 

[Arleyg]

If you use RainX and wipe down each bullet before shooting it helps cut thru the rain, and keeps the raindrops from adhering to the bullet, thus slowing it down.

OK, I just had to be a smarta$$.

Consider the rain just like anything else (wind) that can impact bullet flight.

Have a great time between showers.

 

[edslhead]

Considering how little water it takes to stop a bullet, rain must have an impact.

 

[nehalemguy]

I have seen rain affectively stop shooters....

Yep. Saw that today.

E

 

[Greenbug]

You'd have to be a pretty good shot to hit a raindrop...

 

[ZA_Survivalist]

Whos down to test this with various calibers?!

Various distances in heavy rain versus a dry day with various common rifle calibers.

Sounds interesting.
Id think it would alter a projectiles trajectory within 100-250 yards.. But past that perhaps.. Like with wind if heavy enough. But the rain flow can vary greatly.
What would be the standardization and immediate rain gauge?

 

[Heywood]

Actually it does not. Rain never touches the bullet. There is a pressure wave in front of the bullet which pushes the rain out of its path.
Humidity is a different issue as water vapor is a gas and is homogeneous with the air in the atmosphere.

 

[Member 34319]

Actually it does not. Rain never touches the bullet. There is a pressure wave in front of the bullet which pushes the rain out of its path.
Humidity is a different issue as water vapor is a gas and is homogeneous with the air in the atmosphere.

+1

I used to think that rain had an effect till I read this in a long range shooting book. Now I enjoy long range shooting in the rain. Not only does it have no affect, there are no other shooters anywhere to be seen.

 

[Heywood]

+1

I used to think that rain had an effect till I read this in a long range shooting book. Now I enjoy long range shooting in the rain. Not only does it have no affect, there are no other shooters anywhere to be seen.

Exactly, and you can see the bullet trace much better in a heavy rain.

 

[Lowpower]

As it happens the .45-100, 550 gr bullets I use have windshield wipers on them since the bullet is going so slow. Any water the wipers miss can't stand up to that freight train and jumps outa the way.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

[rick benjamin]

Actually it does not. Rain never touches the bullet. There is a pressure wave in front of the bullet which pushes the rain out of its path.
Humidity is a different issue as water vapor is a gas and is homogeneous with the air in the atmosphere.

Must be so because I found this on the internet.

 

[BillM]

Everything has SOME effect--whether it is significant or even measurable is the question.
Rain. I've seen it rain in Mississippi and Louisiana hard enough that it appeared to be solid.
So at that extreme it's darned near shooting underwater. THAT has to do something to the bullet!
At the other end--heavy mist, drizzle, light sprinkle ( we have a lot of names for rain here in Oregon)
the effect on the bullet probably isn't noticeable at normal ranges.

 

[edslhead]

Good one for Mythbusters.

 

[40calruler]

I think I have your answer. I read this as my wife was getting ready for work so I asked her opinion on it since I really do not know and her answer resolves this. It was "well I know I move a hell of a lot faster in the rain so the bullet probably does as well". You all may not find it as amusing as me but it made me laugh so I shared.

 

[Member 34319]

To add to what was already stated.

It doesn't have a true direct affect. Ie water hitting the bullet and slowing down the bullet, since the hypersonic field of air around the bullet hits the water and forces it out of the way.

However the rain is considered moisture, like humidity. Therefor it is harder for the cloud of air around the bullet to push out of the way than dryer air would be.

So the answer is yes and no. However, as far as most think, the drop of water itself doesn't touch the bullet.

 

[jbett98]

My late Grandpa moved from Kansas to Oregon over 60 years ago and he never could get use to the abundant rainfall in the Pacific Northwest.
His favorite saying was "Everyone in Oregon should own 10 acres, and 9 of them undercover".

Doesn't answer the question, but it brings back fond memories of the old guy standing outside shaking his fist at the sky and cursing the rain.

 

[40calruler]

To add to what was already stated.

It doesn't have a true direct affect. Ie water hitting the bullet and slowing down the bullet, since the hypersonic field of air around the bullet hits the water and forces it out of the way.

However the rain is considered moisture, like humidity. Therefor it is harder for the cloud of air around the bullet to push out of the way than dryer air would be.

So the answer is yes and no. However, as far as most think, the drop of water itself doesn't touch the bullet.

Ok this does make more sense to me. From the few things I remember learning in science class it seems that anything including a field of air would find at least a small amount of resistance pushing through heavy rain rather than a clear sunny trajectory with no interference.
I just made that all up but that is what makes sense to me when I put a little thought in it. Maybe it is not even noticeable in most cases but it seems it would still affect it.