What Exactly Is Wind Drift?

by
posted on August 1, 2018
2018_palma_atterbury-12_targets.jpg (1)
Wind drift is a popular term for wind deflection, defined as the lateral deviation of a bullet's trajectory from the original line of departure, caused by crosswind. The bullet trajectory is only changed slightly in the direction of the drag forces caused by the crosswind, producing an angular deviation in the bullet's path from its original line of departure. The longer a bullet travels, the further it deviates from its original path depending on when the drag forces are introduced. Therefore, if a bullet is hit by crosswind as soon as it leaves the barrel, the deviation is greater than if it were to be hit by a crosswind closer to the target.

What Exactly Is Wind Drift?

The angle of the crosswind can also determine the deviation of a bullet's path. Perpendicular winds—90 degrees to a bullet's path—will have the greatest effect, with smaller angles having less of an effect. Winds blowing parallel to a bullet's trajectory path will have such a small effect on the bullet that the wind drift can often be ignored.

To find the exact effects of wind drift in question, we recommend reading this article: "Expert Forum: Wind Shooting"

Latest

Fed 10Mm 1
Fed 10Mm 1

New: Federal Train + Protect 10 mm Auto Ammo

Federal Ammunition adds new Train + Protect 10 mm Auto to its product lineup.

Rodman, Halbert Top Leaderboard At 2023 Tactical Games South Carolina Team Event

Blackhawk’s Zach Rodman and Jared Halbert land in first place at 2023 South Carolina Tactical Games competition.

Pre-Squadding For The 2023 Grand American Opens In June

Pre-squad for the 2023 Grand American World Trapshooting Tournament beginning June 19.

Review: Shadow Systems DR920L

Built on the same frame as the full-size DR920, the new DR920L sports a longer top end.

Team Winchester’s Joe Fanizzi Wins 2023 National Sporting Clays Association Northeast Regional

Fanizzi, the 2021 NSCA National Champion, is one of the top sporting clays shooters in the country and a student at Texas A&M University.

Alternatives To Military Surplus M2 Ball Ammo

No milsurp? Go commercial with these alternatives to milsurp M2 Ball.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.