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Why The Bullet Hits Higher When Shooting Uphill or Downhill

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Old 07-06-2012 | 11:08 AM
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Default Why The Bullet Hits Higher When Shooting Uphill or Downhill







I attempted to develop a graph that would show the entire trajectory path for a 100 yard up angle shot. But that was not possible because of the scale.

So I came up with this one that shows the last yard of the bullet's path when shooting at a 100 yard target on a forty-five degree upward angle with a rifle that was sighted in for a 100 yard zero over level ground.




Last edited by Semisane; 10-22-2015 at 07:14 PM.
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Old 09-21-2012 | 07:46 PM
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Frankly that's the most amazing thing I ever saw. I'm sure it's true, but I never knew it all these years.

Yes I knew the gun shoots high uphill or downhill, but I never guessed the bullet drop was less when not shooting on a level !
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Old 01-07-2014 | 03:11 AM
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I'm going to use that chart to teach 8th graders physics. It's also why I range trees at the height of my treestand.
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Old 01-21-2014 | 11:25 AM
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This is precisely right. Many people can't understand this, and this severe example (45 degree angle over 145 yards of elevation change along the 200 yd flight path) does simplify what is going on. However, I would point out that even in this severe example, assuming shooting at a deer within 150-175 yds and aiming center of the chest (top to bottom), the deer is dead.

Therefore, in the vast majority of deer shooting within 175 yds, holding low of the intended point of impact isn't all that necessary. Many will even overdo it and miss the deer low.

Last edited by UncleNorby; 01-21-2014 at 11:30 AM.
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Old 01-21-2014 | 03:10 PM
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Nice work Semi. This is really noticable when shooting a bow.

Last edited by WV Hunter; 01-21-2014 at 05:30 PM.
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