Compensating for Shooting Angle

One of the most important skills for a hunter to master is compensating for shooting angle when shooting uphill or downhill.

Seasoned hunters know that honing skills like tracking, stalking, and understanding wind patterns is key to filling your tag. But one of the most important skills to master, especially if you find yourself chasing game in mountainous terrain or the expansive plains out west, is compensating for shooting angle. You won’t always be level with your target, so knowing how to adjust for gravity’s influence on your shot will help prevent you from missing the mark.

The Influence of Gravity on Your Shot

When compensating for shooting angle – no matter if you’re positioned uphill or downhill relative to your target – the principle remains the same: gravity affects the trajectory of your bullet differently than it does when shooting on flat ground. If you’re shooting uphill and your horizontal distance from the target is reduced, gravity affects the bullet less and you should aim lower. For the same reason, when shooting downhill, gravity affects the bullet less over the reduced horizontal distance. So again, you aim lower.

James Eagleman of Barbour Creek, teaches the importance of a ballistic calculator when compensating for shooting angle.

Gravity always acts downward, meaning it only affects the horizontal distance your bullet travels. When you aim at a target on level ground, gravity pulls the bullet downward for the entire distance it travels. This means you have to account for bullet drop over that distance. But when you’re shooting at an angle, the effective range (how far the bullet travels parallel to the ground) is shorter than the line-of-sight distance (the actual distance from you to the target). Therefore, whether you’re shooting uphill or downhill, you’ll need to aim lower than you would if you were shooting over flat terrain at the same distance because the bullet will drop less in hilly terrain.

Understanding the Ballistics

Imagine you’re aiming at a target 300 yards away, but it’s at a steep angle. If you were to measure the horizontal distance instead of the line-of-sight distance, it might only be 250 yards from your shooting setup. Since gravity acts on the horizontal distance, you need to adjust your aim as if you were shooting a target 250 yards away, not 300 yards. This means aiming lower than you would if the shot were directly level.

Practicing Shooting at an Angle

As with any hunting skill, practicing angled shots is essential for building your confidence and accuracy and increasing your chances of success once you’re out in the field. You’ll be better prepared for making shots in unpredictable terrain, and developing muscle memory will make it easier to instinctively start compensating for shooting angle. Also, be sure to familiarize yourself with your own equipment. Different rifles and scopes may behave differently when shooting at an angle, and it’s important to understand how your gear performs under these conditions. The Level 2 Master Course at Barbour Creek Long Range Shooting School simulates real-life hunting situations with life-size animal targets all the way out to 1,776 yards, valleys and ridge lines, and updrafts so you’re prepared to make that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

 

Tips for Compensating for Shooting Angle

Here are some practical tips on compensating for shooting angle:

• Aim lower than you would for a level shot at the same distance.
• Make sure you have a stable shooting position. If you’re traveling without a bag or bipod, use natural rests like rocks or trees to steady your shot.
• Factor in your bullet’s drop over the adjusted effective range, not the line-of-sight distance. If you’re not compensating for shooting angle you will miss high. Most ballistic solvers and range finders that have AMR (Angle Modified Range) can calculate the true horizontal distance to a target, accounting for the angle.
• Be aware of what’s behind your target, especially when shooting downhill since bullets can travel further in this direction.

Compensating for shooting angle is a vital skill for any serious hunter, especially those frequenting challenging terrain like mountains or plains. By understanding how gravity influences your shot and getting plenty of practice with angled shooting, you’ll be better prepared for your next hunt. Remember, whether you’re aiming uphill or downhill, the key is to aim lower and maintain a solid stance.

So, grab your gear and spend some time practicing those angled shots. Your future self – and successful hunts – will thank you.