Do you take bullet drop into account?

[686-380]

This is an interesting topic to me because it adds another relevant dimension, regarding over-penetration.

I never even thought about it, until I took a practical physics class. The instructor brought up the subject one day, I don't remember why. He explained that a bullet drops at the same rate, as it would if you dropped it from your fingers. Of course, if you aim it upward, it will climb. That's a whole different equation.

My point? I try to take bullet speed into account when making SD ammo purchases...

 

[ljnowell]

I'm not sure I follow. If you are talking about long distance shooting, of course I do. I shoot bullseye, at that distance it's pretty irrelevant.

I also shoot informal steel silhouette, at that distance it is most definitely a factor.

 

[John R]

If you get enough drop in a SD shooting to make a difference, your not going to get away with the shoot.

 

[racknrider]

I can't see far enough for bullet drop to be an issue for me. I'm guessing , don't have any ballistic tables at hand, that bullet drop would be insignificent inside self defense distances.

 

[4011]

If you have to worry about bullet drop in SD you have time to seek a safe place shelter and there should be no need to shoot.

 

[Old cop]

Bullet drop will not be a factor in a self defense situation, I know b/c I've been there.

 

[federali]

Bullet Drop

Unless a sniper is gunning for you, you need not concern yourself with bullet drop.

If I have a 9mm or a .40 or a .45 ACP and he has a .30-06, .270 or a 7mm Rem. Mag, it's time for me to pull off a magic trick and simply evaporate into the mist.

 

[Protected One]

Bullet drop in a distance of 3-10 feet?
Are we talking about a nurf gun battle here?

 

[Muss Muggins]

This is an interesting topic to me because it adds another relevant dimension, regarding over-penetration.

I never even thought about it, until I took a practical physics class. The instructor brought up the subject one day, I don't remember why. He explained that a bullet drops at the same rate, as it would if you dropped it from your fingers. Of course, if you aim it upward, it will climb. That's a whole different equation.

My point? I try to take bullet speed into account when making SD ammo purchases...

It does, but in that second it takes to drop, it will have traveled 1,000 feet, give or take a couple. . . .

 

[doc84]

I am more concerned about whether or not the ammo in question shoots to point of aim and if not, where it hits. Know your dope.

 

[LimaCharlie]

Only if I am returning fire at over 225 yards with my AR-10.

 

[Maze 686]

Defending myself? Never.
I would not even if I was shooting a rifle, 223 falls maybe two inches at three hundred yards
and heavier bullets like 30.06 rounds 4 inches at 300 yards.

Handguns are for up close and of course will drop faster, but I 'm not shooting them over the 25 yards that
I qualify at.

 

[federali]

"Bullet Drop" Considerations

One point to consider: I remember from my .38 SPL. revolver days that when the fad shifted to 110 grain JHPs at about 1000-1100 FPS, these bullets struck lower on the target than the slower 158 grain RN lead or the 148 Grain wadcutters. The higher speed bullet was less affected by the handgun's recoil as it exited the gun more quickly.

Thus, "bullet drop" had to be taken into consideration on handguns with adjustable sights such as the then-popular Model 15s and 19s. Then, many LE agencies still engaged in bullseye shooting at 50 feet.

In reality, this was not really bullet drop although some trainers called it that for lack of a better term.

 

[chief38]

Unless you are a LEO and are expected to shoot 50 - 100 feet with your handgun, bullet drop at 2 - 10 feet is a non issue IMHO.

 

[LimaCharlie]

With a 200 yard zero, the .223 drops around 7 inches and the .308 drops around 8 inches at 300 yards. At 500 yards, they drop 45+ inches.

 

[dtm_oskar]

I believe the OP meant drop after the roud had passed through the intended target.

 

[686-380]

I believe the OP meant drop after the roud had passed through the intended target.

Or missing the target altogether...

 

[cyphertext]

I believe the OP meant drop after the roud had passed through the intended target.

If using a good hollow point round designed for self defense, this really isn't an issue, as the round will typically stay in the intended target.

 

[cyphertext]

Or missing the target altogether...

If in an urban environment and you miss, bullet drop is not going to really come into play either, as you will hit a bystander, a car, a building, etc.

That round is going to hit something before it travels 50 yards.

 

[ACP230]

Mas Ayoob does a column in American Handgunner.
Some time back he covered a police shooting that took place at
100 yards. The perp had a .303 Brit rifle, if I recall correctly.

One of the officers took him on with a .45 ACP. Because he had
never shot it that far out he held too high. When it was all over
there was a group of .45 holes in the porch boards, or siding,
five or six inches above where the offender had been standing.

The event probably would have ended sooner had the officer with the
.45 had known where his gun shot at that range.

I try a lot of handguns at 25, 50 and, sometimes, even 100 yards.
Even those that are only supposed to work from here to the end of
my living room. :>)