quote:

Originally posted by 3/4Flap:
It helps ID the direction of fall, but as far as I can tell, that is about it.

Based on my own (very limited) observations thus far, and the comments by you and fritz, I’m coming to that conclusion myself.

A primary reason for my pursuit of such seemingly esoteric questions is to satisfy myself as conclusively as possible what doesn’t matter as much as what does. For example, when I started looking at the issue of shooting at steep up or down angles in some depth it became obvious that the conventional advice to “aim low because your bullet will go high” was no better than worthless, and in many situations should be deliberately ignored because it would tend to cause shooters to overcompensate. Another issue I hope to explore next summer (all three weeks of it) is the effect on accuracy of shooting through light vegetation. I have found only one shooter who has actually conducted his own experiments, so it’s a fertile field for further research.

I realize that by far the best way to answer some questions is to shoot under the conditions myself. Unfortunately, I can’t become a long range competitor and thereby experience everything personally. Where I live snow is pretty common, but sustained rain isn’t. Even if I was able to run to the range immediately, it would be over almost every time I got there and set up. That’s why I appreciate those here who are willing to relate their own experiences. When a skilled, highly experienced competitor or hunter says that snow doesn’t affect his dope out to many hundreds of yards, that lessens my concerns about a 150 yard shot if it’s clear enough to see the target.

Thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

A primary reason for my pursuit of such seemingly esoteric questions is to satisfy myself as conclusively as possible what doesn’t matter as much as what does. For example, when I started looking at the issue of shooting at steep up or down angles in some depth it became obvious that the conventional advice to “aim low because your bullet will go high” was no better than worthless, and in many situations should be deliberately ignored because it would tend to cause shooters to overcompensate. Another issue I hope to explore next summer (all three weeks of it) is the effect on accuracy of shooting through light vegetation. I have found only one shooter who has actually conducted his own experiments, so it’s a fertile field for further research.

Our interaction with the rifle, cheek position.... because of a awkward position will have a far greater affect on POI then the angle of the shot. Shooting uphill, bi-pod extended to max, rear of stock low, very easy to zing a shot way high. Very challenging not to climb on top the rear stock put downward pressure on it.

Many times I've shot through tall grass, bushes.... High percentage of the time get a deflection when vegetation is hit.

quote:

Originally posted by offgrid:
Many times I've shot through tall grass, bushes.... High percentage of the time get a deflection when vegetation is hit.

I guess that should be expected. Do you remember if grass, and not too much, would regularly cause deflections?

I’m thinking of using thin bamboo skewers for my obstruction tests. I will be surprised if they don’t cause deflections, but we’ll see.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

Do you remember if grass, and not too much, would regularly cause deflections?

Yes grass, doesn't take much when shooting at small targets at distance.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

quote:

Originally posted by offgrid:
Many times I've shot through tall grass, bushes.... High percentage of the time get a deflection when vegetation is hit.

I guess that should be expected. Do you remember if grass, and not too much, would regularly cause deflections?

I’m thinking of using thin bamboo skewers for my obstruction tests. I will be surprised if they don’t cause deflections, but we’ll see.

I have seen a 180 grain .30-06 bullet deflected by a center strike of a hawthorn branch of almost identical thickness to a pencil. Large buck was about 30 feet behind branch, impact to branch about 50 yards. Buck was recovered about 4 hours later about 400 yards away after very intense search still requiring a shot as it ran from cover. First shot caused a strange wound in chest made by bullet entering sideways or at a severe angle of yaw, shattering sternum. Distance from called point of aim about ten inches. If it had deflected about 1-2 inches more it would have been a clean miss.

Both are useful observations. Thanks.