Shooting in heavy snowfall

Lionhill

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
100   0   0
Location
South Okanagan
Here was the situation tonight. Deer hunting, cloudy and rainy day turns to heavy snowfall.

Question: What does this do to a .308 165gr bullet at 200 yards (presuming I can actually see that far)?

Bullet drops more?

Does the fact that the air below zero have any substantial effect on trajectory?

Thanks!

LH
 
That's a good question. Sounds like the best thing is for a test durring such conditions at your local rifle range. I would think at that distance there must be some type of effect on the bullet?
 
shouldnt have a very important impact on the trajectory of the bullet
aim like you would aim in good conditions.

some precision shooters might disagree but i think in your case at least there's no worries
 
I was at my gun club a few years ago, day started out bright, sunny, and COLD. About an hour later, we could hardly see the 100 target boards for all the snow! I was not going to leave as I needed to verify my zero, gun was a Tikka M595 in 308, loads were Remington brass, IMR 4064 powder, and 180 grain Nosler Partitions. There was no discernable change in point of impact, and in fact I shot some very good groups that day! I did not go to 200 yards, but I do not think there would be any significant change, so if it was me, and I could SEE the target, I would take careful aim and let fly.
 
I was at my gun club a few years ago, day started out bright, sunny, and COLD. About an hour later, we could hardly see the 100 target boards for all the snow! I was not going to leave as I needed to verify my zero, gun was a Tikka M595 in 308, loads were Remington brass, IMR 4064 powder, and 180 grain Nosler Partitions. There was no discernable change in point of impact, and in fact I shot some very good groups that day! I did not go to 200 yards, but I do not think there would be any significant change, so if it was me, and I could SEE the target, I would take careful aim and let fly.

Thank you.

LH
 
Shooting a customized Rem 700P I have noticed at 200 yards in heavy snow or rain that my groups open up a bit.

POA is still pretty close, but my average group size sometimes is larger than I am used to.

Having said that, other than an elevation change due to colder temperatures compared to a warm zero I haven't had to compensate for heavy rain or snow. Line up the sights and the bullets with group pretty darn close.
 
In rain or snow weather the pressure in the chamber can be slightly increased. The effect on MPI at ranges is that it rises slightly. It doesn't open up.

From my personal experience while on the top army marksmanship team I can tell you that at 200yrds .223/5.56 was very little +.40 to +.75" the larger being heavy rain down pour. The .308 was far less. At 600m noticed a slight increase that adjusted vertical MPI approximately +2" in heavy rain.

Hope that helps.

J

MPI - main point of impact
 
I would think that the air being compressed in front of the bullet as it travels along would push rain or snow from its path.
Or something like that.
Until its speed dropped to virtually nothing, it’s not like the bullet would be sailing along poking holes through snowflakes.
 
Back
Top Bottom