Rifle Performance

[buckgitter]

Just curious about altitude and how it affects bullet trajectory. Any ideas? I live in Va and I am going to Co elk hunting. I plan on shooting my rifle when I get there but would like to know in advance if it will be alot of difference in bullet travel because of the higher altitudes. Thanks

[wyovamag13]

It won't be much different, I'm from VA as well but go to school in WY where the altitude is 7200 feet... My zero was off by an inch or two (high) but other than that not too much to worry about, you may need to zero it a little bit when you get there but I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[C. Schutte]

Just curious about altitude and how it affects bullet trajectory. Any ideas? I live in Va and I am going to Co elk hunting. I plan on shooting my rifle when I get there but would like to know in advance if it will be alot of difference in bullet travel because of the higher altitudes. Thanks

Buckgitter,

I am by no means an expert but, I had the same concerns before my first Colorado trip. We are in Texas with high humidity and low altitude. We shot our rifles prior to the hunt and once we arrived we found our zero to be right where we were in Texas. It could be that higher temps in Texas made for higher pressure and the thinner air in Colorado made everything a wash.

All or our rifles had composit stocks and were free floaded so changes in humdity were not really a concern. From what I can tell it should not be much of a difference in either case. If you are arriving a few days in advance I would recommend cracking open the hard case to allow air circulation for your stocks and make a shot at the range as you should after any travel (if possible). The greatest challenge to your accuracy might be getting adjusted to the altitude. There is nothing like climbing a hill after a bull to get the heart rate up there. You can trust me, breathing hard and trying to keep your cross hairs steady will have far more to do with accuracy than bullet trajactory at high altitude vs. low. Just remember to take as much time as you need to make a good shot. Don't hurry the shot, even if you have a guide and he is telling you to shoot. Don't squeeze that trigger until you can make the shot. It is far better to allow the animal to move on then wound him. good luck.............chs

ps. let us know how it goes. Maybe we shall have to call you bullgitter............

[buckgitter]

I reside at about 3000 ft so I am hoping there won't be much change in my rifle. I also have composite stocks on my rifles. We will be there a day ahead of our hunt so we plan on firing a few rounds. I will keep you posted on our success or the lack of. Thanks for the info...

[pappabear]

Temp.-Altitude-humidity will effect your zero. Like others said, not as much and probably no big deal for large game. I bought some BDC target (kenton Industries) knobs for my scope and learned a little in the process. It is good if you can sight in when you get there. Otherwise and inch or two is probably all you need to consider, and if your not taking your shooting bench with you on your elk hunt- you will never know.lol.

Good luck and let us know how you did.

[buckgitter]

Thanks I will. Yeah I tried to get my Dad in shape to carry a portable bench but he wouldn't have it! I am getting pumped about this trip, can't hardly wait!! These 90 degree days are depressing me and I want to see the snow fly!

[pappabear]

yeah, finally cooling down in AZ. Going turkey hunting up north this week. I hope its cool in the Payson area. Anything but 90 degrees.

[Perferator]

Schutte has some good points above. I took my (composite) Savage 111 in .270 out to Colorado for elk last year about this same time. I was well prepared for a 400yd shot w/Nosler Partitions loaded to the max. When looking at ballistics for this load and the effects of altitude when hunting at 10,000ft I'd noticed the load would be shooting at least 2" higher/flatter at high altitude. Not a bad deal.

.....and get in shape if you are going up that high. The first 3 days are a bummer for anyone.

[Mountain Dave]

Well, I don't know about snow but it is cooling off here, You will probably be into some snow at altitudes above 10,000 feet. There has been some up there already but I don't know if it has been enough to drive the elk down to lower altitudes. You may have a pretty good hike ahead of you if you have not lined up some horses. Good luck.

[rem 700]

Higher altitudes and higher temps give flatter trajectories...but with higher altitudes generally come lower temps; things pretty much balance out.

[Miraclefly]

I would worry far less about where I had the rifle zeroed than I would about how much rough handling, drops, shocks and the resulting scope alignment changes that will occur courtesy of the airlines - Assuming that you are flying to CO. If you are driving, don't worry about what I said. My 300 Wby shoots about 1.5 inches higher at 7000 ft in CO than it does at 1000 ft here in Atlanta.

[buckgitter]

I would worry far less about where I had the rifle zeroed than I would about how much rough handling, drops, shocks and the resulting scope alignment changes that will occur courtesy of the airlines - Assuming that you are flying to CO. If you are driving, don't worry about what I said. My 300 Wby shoots about 1.5 inches higher at 7000 ft in CO than it does at 1000 ft here in Atlanta.

We are driving, and I will have my gun in hand protecting it all the way there!! Unloaded of course