Shooting Uphill and Down

by
posted on March 31, 2014
qa_ah2015_fs.jpg (17)

Q: I’m heading to Alaska for a sheep hunt later this year, and I’m told it will be some pretty mountainous country. I’m a flatlander from Mississippi not accustomed to shooting at game at steep angles, and local “experts” have given me four different answers about where to hold. Can you give me the straight answer?

A: Most of us do all our range shooting on the straight and level, with muzzle and target placed at the same elevation. But shooting at mountain-dwelling game such as sheep and goats may require shots to be taken at extreme angles, and these shots require some alteration of the aiming point.

Shooting uphill and downhill is flatter since the force of gravity is applied at less than the usual 90-degree angle to the flight path. On a given slope, the effect is substantially the same in firing uphill or down. To find the horizontal equivalent to a given slant range, the accompanying table can be used for elevations up to 45 degrees. For example, the horizontal range corresponding to a slant range of 300 yards on a 45-degree slope is 210 yards. The rifle should be aimed for 210 yards; if aimed for 300, the bullet may pass over the target.

At small angles, the effect is trifling. At steep angles, however, it can become a major consideration, compounding the difficulty of range estimation and angle determination in mountainous country.

Latest

2025 Must Have Turkey Gear Lead
2025 Must Have Turkey Gear Lead

Must-Have Turkey Gear for 2025

Check out some of the best turkey hunting gear we could put our hands on during the 2025 season.

Pigs in Darkness: Sightmark and Pulsar Field Test

A night hunt for pigs on a Texas ranch is the perfect opportunity to shine light on thermal riflescopes from Sightmark and Pulsar.

New for 2025: Mossberg 990 Aftershock

Following on the success of the Mossberg 590 Shockwave pump action, Mossberg has announced the all-new 990 Aftershock, a 12-gauge, 3-inch semi-auto version.

Hardware Review: Benelli Lupo HPR

The Benelli Lupo HPR was designed to bridge the gap between extreme long-range shooting and hunting.

Texas Joins ‘Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag’ Program

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is the latest partner to join the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation’s (OSCF) “Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag” program.

#SundayGunday: Savage Revel Classic

This week on #SundayGunday we test-fire the Revel Classic, a new-for-2025 lever-action rimfire rifle available from Savage Arms. It’s offered in .22 Long Rifle now, and models in .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire and .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire will be available this summer.



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.