Hunting Wind Drift Calculator

Bullet Wind Drift Calculation

Wind pushes a bullet sideways during flight. The drift depends on:

1. Time of flight — slower bullet = more drift
2. Crosswind component — only the perpendicular wind matters
3. Bullet ballistic coefficient (BC) — higher BC = less drift

Simplified field formula (good to ~600 yards for hunting calibers): Drift (inches) ≈ (Wind in mph × Range in 100s × Range in 100s) / (BC × 10)

For more accuracy, modern apps (Strelok, Applied Ballistics) solve the full drag model. This calculator uses the simplified field approximation that hunters can do in their head.

Typical bullet BC values (G1):

Wind angle adjustment (clock method): Only the crosswind component moves the bullet. Use this multiplier:

So a 10 mph wind at 5 o’clock = 5 mph effective crosswind for drift calculations.

Practical drift at 300 yards (with 10 mph full crosswind):

Hunting implications:

• Most ethical hunting shots are under 300 yards — wind drift is manageable
• A 6-inch lateral error at 300 yards can mean a wounded animal
• Practice estimating wind in 5 mph increments — that’s the resolution that matters
• Use trees, grass, mirage to judge wind down-range, not just at the muzzle

Ranging wind by visual cues:

• 0-3 mph: smoke drifts but flag hangs limp
• 3-7 mph: leaves rustle, light flags lift
• 7-12 mph: small branches sway, dust kicks
• 12-18 mph: small trees sway, tall grass bends fully over
• 18-24 mph: large branches move, hard to walk into wind

MOA correction: 1 MOA ≈ 1 inch at 100 yards, 3 inches at 300, 6 inches at 600.