How does the horizontal tilt of the weapon affect the accuracy of the shot?
"Long-range shooting depends on many factors that contribute to the shot's error and affect the shooter's ability to hit the target. One of these factors is the horizontal tilt of the rifle."
The error associated with horizontal tilt occurs because the axis of the barrel channel and the axis of the sight are not in the same vertical plane.
The optical sight allows you to see the target along a straight line of sight. This line is not affected by wind, gravity, bullet speed, or any other factors that usually affect a bullet in flight.
Under the influence of gravity, the bullet moves towards its target along a curved path, constantly decreasing its height. Adjusting the vertical correction drum of the optical sight allows the barrel channel to be raised to compensate for the force of gravity. After such an adjustment, the barrel will no longer be parallel to the line of sight. From now on, the effect of the horizontal tilt of the weapon on the accuracy of the shot begins to significantly increase.
"After the barrel's position ceases to be parallel to the line of sight, the horizontal tilt of the weapon will result in a shot error. In practice, the bullet will arrive to the left or right of the target (depending on which way the rifle is tilted), and below the desired point of impact."
The magnitude of the influence of horizontal tilt on shooting accuracy is directly proportional to the distance to the target. As weapon manufacturing technologies are constantly improving, allowing for accurate shooting at greater distances, the influence of horizontal tilt on shooting accuracy is continuously increasing.
To eliminate this negative influence, it is necessary to ensure that the crosshair of the sight corresponds to the horizontal level during the shot. Using the horizon as a horizontal reference, except in cases where the horizon is a large body of water, will also lead to the emergence of a horizontal tilt.
Effective and accurate tools for determining the horizontal level of a weapon during a shot are bubble levels, which can be mounted on a Picatinny rail or on the scope tube. The presence of a bubble level ensures that the weapon is held horizontally, minimizes the total shot error, and enhances the shooter's ability to hit the target at long distances.
Share: