Wind Deflection

by
posted on March 3, 2014
qa_ah2015_fs.jpg

Q: I have heard high-velocity .22 LR bullets are affected by crosswinds to a greater degree than bullets from standard-velocity rounds. This is claimed to be so even though the bullet is in the air for a shorter time and so is affected by the moving air for a shorter time. How can this be?

A: Many strange effects occur when an object nears and exceeds the speed of sound. In the case of .22 LR bullets, the important factor is the greatly increased air resistance at the speed of sound.

A standard-velocity .22 bullet started at a velocity of 1,145 fps takes 0.287 second to travel 100 yards. It could cover the same distance in 0.262 second in a vacuum. The resistance of air delays it 0.025 second. A high-velocity bullet at 1,335 fps muzzle velocity takes 0.259 second to cover the same distance. It could make the trip in 0.225 second in a vacuum, so its delay is 0.034, about 37 percent greater than the standard-velocity bullet. Accordingly, wind deflection is also about 37 percent greater.

This effect, which is pretty well limited to the .22 rimfires, occurs because air resistance increases at a very rapid rate near the speed of sound. Centerfire rifle rounds aren't affected so much because, although air resistance always increases with increased velocity, the rate of increase isn't as steep once the sound barrier has been broken.

Latest

LEDE Marlin Dark
LEDE Marlin Dark

Hardware Review: Marlin Model 1895 Dark

If you think lever-action rifles should only have walnut stocks and a blued-metal finish, then the new Marlin Dark series with its polymer buttstock and aluminum AR-esque handguard probably won’t be your thing. That’s a shame, because this recent offering in Marlin’s line of modernized, capable lever-action rifles has a lot going for it in terms of performance, functionality and fun.

ATN Shipping TICO LTV Thermal Clip-On

This thermal clip-on device is a huge night-time gear multiplier for hunters and observers, transforming any daytime scope into a thermal sight.

MidwayUSA Named Official Sponsor of the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings

Glock, Inc. is the Presenting Sponsor of the Freedom Experience on Saturday, April 26th

First Look: Montana Rifle Company Marshall Hunting Rifle

Montana Rifle Company (MRC) has announced its Marshall Hunting Rifle—a rifle the company bills as being 10,000 rounds in the making.

Spring Gobbler Gear Roundup

Mike Roux lays out his winter's turkey gear discoveries, just in time for spring gobbler season.

National 4-H Shooting Sports Signs on as Official +ONE Partner

The National 4-H Shooting Sports program has joined the +ONE Movement, a national mentorship initiative led by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) that encourages peer-to-peer mentorship in the hunting and shooting sports.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.