Shooting Tip Angled Shot at High Altitude

Published on August 12, 2013
Duration: 4:42

This video demonstrates the significant impact of angled shots on bullet trajectory, particularly in high-altitude hunting scenarios. Instructor Jeremy Wyers explains that gravity's effect is reduced on angled shots, leading to a higher point of impact if not compensated for. He illustrates this with a 32-degree angle shot at 800 yards, resulting in a 14-inch vertical deflection. The video suggests using angle meters, cosine indicators, or advanced rangefinders like the BR2 with onboard ballistic programs to calculate and apply the necessary corrections for accurate shooting.

Quick Summary

Angled shots in long-range hunting, particularly at high altitudes, significantly alter bullet trajectory. Gravity's effective pull is reduced along the line of sight, causing bullets to strike higher. A 32-degree angle at 800 yards can result in a 14-inch deflection. Compensate by aiming slightly low or using tools like angle meters, cosine indicators, or advanced rangefinders with ballistic programs.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Angled Shots
  2. 00:07Importance in Western Hunting
  3. 00:20Why Angled Shots Affect Trajectory
  4. 00:30Gravity's Effect on Bullet Flight
  5. 00:58Aiming Low on Angles
  6. 01:06Field Demonstration Setup
  7. 01:36Shooting the Angled Target
  8. 02:33Steep Angle Observation
  9. 02:35Initial Shot Results
  10. 02:50Target Inspection
  11. 03:07Measured Vertical Deflection
  12. 03:19Relevance to Mountain Hunting
  13. 03:23How to Correct for Angles
  14. 03:30Angle Meter and Charts
  15. 03:40Cosine Indicator
  16. 03:50BR2 Rangefinder Solution
  17. 04:19Rangefinder Correction Example
  18. 04:29Conclusion and Final Advice

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do angled shots affect bullet trajectory differently than level shots?

Angled shots, especially at high altitudes, alter how gravity affects a bullet. Instead of pulling directly down on the projectile's flight path, gravity's pull is effectively reduced along the line of sight, causing the bullet to strike higher than expected if no correction is made.

How much can an angled shot impact bullet placement at long range?

Even a moderate angle can cause significant deviation. In this demonstration, a 32-degree angled shot at 800 yards resulted in a 14-inch vertical deflection, highlighting the critical need for compensation in hunting scenarios.

What tools can help compensate for angled shots in long-range shooting?

Several tools can assist: angle meters with charts, cosine indicators that show the percentage of line-of-sight yardage, and advanced rangefinders like the BR2 that feature onboard ballistic programs and weather stations for precise 'shoot-to' range calculations.

Is aiming low always the correct compensation for angled shots?

Yes, the general principle for angled shots, whether uphill or downhill, is to aim slightly lower than the target. This compensates for the reduced effective pull of gravity on the bullet's trajectory, preventing it from striking too high.

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