Thread: Accuracy at 100 vs 600 (example). Variations in accuracy at different ranges

Originally Posted by ChrisW

Its not possible. A projectile cannot just alter its course mid flight (other than due to external factors, wind etc), as would be required in order for a projectile that was shooting say 1 inch at 100 to shoot better than that at distance.

In theory absolutely correct.
Practical, no projectile is 100% eccentric which means right at the start, when the centrifugal forces are high, the projectile yaws - and depending how bad it is, changes the course of flight. Later in it's flight, friction slows down spin and speed of the projectile which results in less centrifugal force so the projectile does settle down and it's impact becomes more predictable (better groups). Even later in flight, the spin is no longer high enough and the projectile starts tumbling - which again can change the course of flight. The US Artillery has a book which describes these effects on shells and projectiles and how to calculate it...