Elevation

[B&C Blacktails]

I generally hunt under 8000' in California and I find Sighting in at 5500' (no access to sight in at higher elevation) I still hit pretty much where I aim.

I'm not sure how to ask this question but I have begun hunting at much Higher elevations 10,000+ How does this elevation effect your bullet. Most of the access roads are still under 8000 feet and I don't like shooting near hunting areas let alone when I am up at 10,000. I have been 100% on my shots at high elevation I just have never target practiced that high.

Has anyone noticed drastic changes between shooting at different elevations, say between 6-8000 and 8-10000 and 10000+? How about sighting in at lower elevations(5500) and then moving up to higher elevation (10000). Big changes?

I am not an extreme long range hunter, 500 yards max. I pretty much strictly use my 257 weatherby mag if that matters.

Thanks

 

[Bonecollector]

I'm not a long range expert, however I've read that under 500 yds should not matter but maybe + 1-2 inches.
I'll wait for others to jump in.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Your .257 is a very flat shooting rifle and at ranges less than 500 yards you aren't going to notice any difference in POI.

The higher you go (elevation), the thinner the air gets. This translates into less resistance for the bullet. Where it really makes a difference is at what I call ultra long ranges. The bullet doesn't slow down as much which translates into less drop. Temperature and humidity also make a small amount of difference. Colder, drier air also has less resistance. Unless your someone like a military sniper or plan on shooting in TV shows like "Best of the West", just spend your time looking for your buck or bull and don't worry about altitude or air! Get your rifle shooting sub moa groups and with good shot placement, worry about packing him out.

 

[B&C Blacktails]

Your .257 is a very flat shooting rifle and at ranges less than 500 yards you aren't going to notice any difference in POI.

The higher you go (elevation), the thinner the air gets. This translates into less resistance for the bullet. Where it really makes a difference is at what I call ultra long ranges. The bullet doesn't slow down as much which translates into less drop. Temperature and humidity also make a small amount of difference. Colder, drier air also has less resistance. Unless your someone like a military sniper or plan on shooting in TV shows like "Best of the West", just spend your time looking for your buck or bull and don't worry about altitude or air! Get your rifle shooting sub moa groups and with good shot placement, worry about packing him out.

Right on, I appreciate the info. I do have the sub-moa model vanguard which does shoot most manufactured rounds in the sub-moa range. The 257 wby is a fantastic deer gun and I've also shot a few elk with it?

 

[Tim McCoy]

Play with elevation on this calculator, or another like it: http://www.federalpremium.com/ballistics_calculator/

As has been shared, if you are good to 500 yards at 5.5k elevation, you should be OK at 10k, not perfect, but OK. I've used my rifle with confidence when sighted in with more of an altitude difference than you have, successfully to 400 yards. That said, I'd try and find a spot to launch one as close to 8k as I could get, just to be sure to build that all important confidence, if you are at all in doubt. The mind needs be be on your side, I try to avoid any lingering doubts as they can creep into your consciousness at the worst possible time and can lead to problems.

 

[sneakypete]

Great knowledge shared, and learned! Thanks CC & Tim. I always enjoying reading your wisdom!

 

[D_Dubya]

I sight my rifle in at about 500' above sea level in South Texas, I hunt in Colorado at elevations up to 12,000'. I don't shoot extreme long range but I shoot a lot out to 600 yards here at home. My 300wsm shooting 180 TTSX's doesn't have a noticeable difference at 100 yards at the range I have shot at around 7800' in Gunnison. I have shot 2 mule deer in the last 4 years right at 400 yards (408 and 399) and spined them both with my 400 yard hold (Ziess scope with Z6 reticle) that is dead on at home. Both deer were hit about 6" high, according to the ballistics calculators the difference should have been about 2" (both 11 - 12k') - so there could have been some shooter error. I would think at your elevations you would be good to go at "normal" hunting distances

 

[Slugz]

Play with elevation on this calculator, or another like it: http://www.federalpremium.com/ballistics_calculator/

As has been shared, if you are good to 500 yards at 5.5k elevation, you should be OK at 10k, not perfect, but OK. I've used my rifle with confidence when sighted in with more of an altitude difference than you have, successfully to 400 yards. That said, I'd try and find a spot to launch one as close to 8k as I could get, just to be sure to build that all important confidence, if you are at all in doubt. The mind needs be be on your side, I try to avoid any lingering doubts as they can creep into your consciousness at the worst possible time and can lead to problems.

Nice additional comments Tim. As Pete said, same here!

 

[B&C Blacktails]

I appreciate the information everyone, thanks.

 

[SteveCNJ]

It seems from the comments that as expected, the thinner air has less resistance at high elevations but the high elevations seem to have no effect on powder burn/muzzle velocity

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Hilltop]

I shoot a 30-06, 165 grain Hornady and have a Leupold with the B&C reticle. I have shot extensively at low and high elevations. My home in Nebraska is about 1500' in elevation. At home, my rifle zeroed at 200 is hitting almost exactly on mark for the 300,400, and 500 yard crosshairs. At elevation- approximately 9000', my zero at 200 is still fairly close but I gain close to 50 yards on my next crosshairs. The crosshair zeros become approximately 330, 440, and 550. I believe the difference is a combination of elevation, temperature, and humidity. Even with the past experience, I still take the time to shoot and verify at elevation before each hunt.

 

[BKC]

I think that op was talking more about the bullet after it left the muzzle. I know with the custom turrets, that you can have built for your scopes, they want to know the muzzle velocity, as well as others, to base your turret dial on. I had never really given a thought on the powder burn when you are going up in elevation. Would this matter much? I know for every 1000' of elevation you lose 2% of oxygen available ( or something like that ), Does that really affect the powder burn and how fast your bullet leaves the muzzle?

 

[mcseal2]

I live at 1200 feet elevation and hunt quite a bit around 9k. I really noticed the difference years back shooting rock chucks at extended ranges with my 243. I think it's worth shooting at elevation if you intend to shoot far like others have said. 500 yards might be fine but I sure wouldn't want to try 600 without having zeroed at elevation.

I like to check my rifle anyway if at all possible after hauling it across the country. I'll usually try to set up a fresh painted portable gong as close to my hunting elevation as I can somewhere it won't affect my hunt or the hunts of others. I can usually find a spot on BLM on the way into the mountains I hunt. My scope has a dual turret set-up where I have one set up for 1200ft elevation and the other set for 8000ft. I'll make sure the 8k turret is zeroed correctly. I'm not a long range hunter although I enjoy practicing at long range. I like to be able to shoot 600 yards if the conditions are good enough, but I have only reached that far once on game.

Probably not an issue for the OP with his set-up inside 500.

 

[Hilltop]

At 9-10k feet in elevation, shooting 500 yards I am off by almost 10" from my normal impact at 1500' elevation. That is with a 30-06 that doesn't shoot near as flat as the OPs selection but if my math is correct, the OP is looking at around a 6" difference in impact point. That can be a significant difference on an animal. My recommendation to anyone changing elevation by more than a couple thousand feet is to verify.