Shooting Position Has Nothing to do with Why You Miss

Published on August 14, 2022
Duration: 13:12

This video explains why shooting position doesn't affect rifle zero, contrary to common belief. The primary reason is proper parallax adjustment on the riflescope, which aligns the reticle and target images in the same focal plane, eliminating perceived reticle movement when the shooter's eye shifts. The presenter, Kurt, emphasizes that when the rifle is canted, gravity still acts vertically, but the induced lateral component of the bullet's trajectory is not compensated for by the scope's zero, leading to misses. This principle also applies to target declination.

Quick Summary

Your shooting position has minimal direct impact on your rifle's zero, provided your scope's parallax is properly adjusted. When a rifle is canted, an unintended lateral component is introduced into the bullet's trajectory, which gravity does not correct, leading to misses rather than a change in the rifle's zero.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Two Topics, One Coin
  2. 00:16Previous Video Recap: Prescription vs. Zero
  3. 00:39Audience Question: Body Position and Zero
  4. 01:09Why Body Position Doesn't Affect Zero: Parallax
  5. 01:24Understanding Parallax: An Analogy
  6. 01:46Two Images in a Riflescope: Target and Reticle
  7. 02:05Focal Plane Alignment for Parallax Elimination
  8. 02:22Visualizing Parallax Error
  9. 02:38Proper Zeroing Technique Assumptions
  10. 03:58Sponsor Segment: Firearms Policy Coalition
  11. 05:00Previous Video: 45 Offset Sites
  12. 05:58Demonstration Setup: 6.5 Creedmoor
  13. 06:26Shooting Demonstration: Level vs. Canted Rifle
  14. 07:01Explaining the Miss: Line of Sight vs. Trajectory
  15. 07:12Line of Sight and Bullet Trajectory
  16. 07:28Bullet Trajectory: Straight Line to Parabola
  17. 08:04Pointing the Barrel Up: The Unseen Detail
  18. 08:33Component Vectors of Trajectory
  19. 08:42Canted Rifle: Introducing a Third Axis
  20. 09:14Gravity's Effect on Vertical Play
  21. 09:25Induced Lateral Play and Misses
  22. 09:31Decoupling Trajectory from Calibration Curve
  23. 09:41Declination of Target Explained
  24. 10:01Component Vectors with Declination
  25. 10:13Laser Rangefinders and Declination
  26. 10:24Rolling It All Up: Body Position and Zero
  27. 10:34Common Errors Leading to Perceived Position Impact
  28. 11:09Summary of Potential Errors
  29. 11:13The Blunt Truth: 'They Probably Just Suck'
  30. 11:23Closing Thoughts: Physics Doesn't Lie
  31. 11:39Motivation for Making Videos
  32. 11:54Main Gig: Product Evaluation
  33. 12:09Debunking 'Fudd-Tarted Fucktasticness'
  34. 12:26Arming You with Information
  35. 12:53Conclusion and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my shooting position not affect my rifle's zero?

Your shooting position itself doesn't directly affect your rifle's zero. The primary reason is proper parallax adjustment on your scope, which aligns the reticle and target. When the rifle is canted, an induced lateral bullet trajectory component occurs that your zero doesn't account for, leading to misses, not a change in zero.

What is parallax in a rifle scope and how does it cause misses?

Parallax occurs when the reticle and target are not in the same focal plane. This makes the reticle appear to shift relative to the target as your eye moves. Properly adjusting the parallax knob to the shooting distance eliminates this perceived movement, ensuring your point of aim is consistent regardless of minor eye position changes.

How does canting a rifle affect bullet trajectory and accuracy?

When you cant a rifle, you introduce a lateral component to the bullet's trajectory that gravity does not correct. While gravity acts vertically, the cant creates a sideways deviation. This induced lateral play is not compensated for by your scope's zero, causing the bullet to miss the intended point of impact.

Does target declination impact bullet trajectory?

Yes, target declination significantly impacts bullet trajectory. Shooting downhill or uphill means the bullet is not traveling parallel to the ground. Gravity will accelerate the bullet downward faster than if it were fired horizontally, requiring adjustments to your aim based on the angle of declination.

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