Shooting in the Rain

[O'Shark]

Here we are in the midst of a drought but I can't help but wonder; Would shooting in a moderate to heavy rain adversely affect accuracy? I would think that a heavier bullet would charge through it easily but what about the small calibers? Wouldn't firing a round like .223, .17HMR or .22LR get knocked all over the place as those light bullets slam into raindrops?

 

[buzz815]

My understanding is that a raindrop never touches the bullet After the round is fired some sort of shock wave is created which keeps the drops away from the bullet.

 

[gunman41mag]

It's hard to aim in the rain

 

[coorslight]

I find that with a little practice you can shoot in between the rain drops. Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[Wild Deuce]

I find that with a little practice you can shoot in between the rain drops. Sorry couldn't resist.

Little raincoats for the bullets help too.

 

[jackadew]

I have shot alot of .22 & centerfire benchrest matches in the rain. It is acually helpful to see the changes in the wind...no need to adjust or hold your point of aim any differently. I'm talking light to medium rain.

 

[dnurk]

My understanding is that a raindrop never touches the bullet After the round is fired some sort of shock wave is created which keeps the drops away from the bullet.

Correct for supersonic bullets

Bullet bow shockwave - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


It is also really easy to see the bullet in flight with that little vapor trail

 

[Mark 1911]

I have shot deer in the rain with a muzzleloader, no problem, just as dead as a fair weather shot.

Don't remember for sure if I ever shot one with the 12 ga slug in the rain, but imagine the results would be about the same - dead deer.

 

[DRob]

Right Bullets

Why do you think they make boat tail bullets?

 

[Fullmag]

Correct for supersonic bullets

Bullet bow shockwave - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


It is also really easy to see the bullet in flight with that little vapor trail

Yep, done it before. It's real awesome, the higher the velocity the better. Bust'en raindrops on the way to the target.

 

[Excalibur]

How easily can bullets and primers get wet when you shoot in the rain?

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

How easily can bullets and primers get wet when you shoot in the rain?

Doesn't matter one bit if the bullets get wet. And all quality ammo...the primers are sealed well enough. It is just rain, after all. Different ball game than submerging it for long periods.

 

[Disposable Heart]

Seal primers with "watered" down finger nail polish. Seals them against alot of crap. I personally only load my ammo that goes into the ammo cans for SHTF during warmer months and in an AC, humidity controlled environ. Bullets, well, I am 50/50. Sometimes I use the primer sealant, mostly no, really doesn't need it.

 

[Hookeye]

I've shot a few chucks in downpours to 200 yards. Bullets hit right on target (using .243 Win).

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

I actually ran between the raindrops from one house to another during a heavy downpour once. It was weird. Didn't notice a single drop hit me.

Even though there's a shock wave, I think the force of impact with the shock wave is transmitted into the bullet. The thing is, the flight time is so short, and the actual density of water in the air so low, that an impact is unlikely, plus each raindrop would have a tiny effect. It would be rare to see a significant effect. You'd have to have a good number of raindrops line up at just the right moment, which would be about as likely as running between them.

 

[Harry2110]

Does anyone have a private range as that could be easily tested? But I think that the inconsistency in ammo is going to be a greater factor