Quick Answer
Wind affects uphill shots more significantly than downhill shots due to the increased distance the bullet travels upward, making it more susceptible to wind resistance. Downhill shots are less affected because the bullet has less time to be influenced by wind resistance. The exact impact depends on the angle and wind speed.
Uphill Shot Wind Resistance
When shooting uphill, wind resistance has a greater impact due to the increased distance the bullet travels upward. This can result in a deflection of up to 20-25 MOA (minutes of angle) or 1.7-2.1 inches at 100 yards for a 1 mph crosswind. To compensate, hunters can use a wind deflection chart or estimate the deflection based on the wind speed and angle of elevation.
Downhill Shot Wind Resistance
Downhill shots are generally less affected by wind resistance because the bullet has less time to be influenced by the wind. However, at steep angles (over 45 degrees), wind resistance can still have a noticeable impact. In these cases, hunters can use a steep angle correction (SAC) chart to estimate the deflection, which can be up to 10-15 MOA or 0.9-1.3 inches at 100 yards for a 1 mph crosswind. Hunters should also consider the terrain and any obstacles that may affect the bullet’s trajectory.
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