Any truth to this?

[BayAreaShooter]

I was watching Extreme Marksmen on the History channel. It was at the sniper portion and they mentioned the spotter will watch for the vapor trail of the bullet if the shooter misses. They said that the vapor trail is formed because the bullet is moving so fast it instantly boils the moisture in the air. Is there any truth to this?

[Mickey D]

Yes

[Flintlock Tom]

I have never heard of this, nor seen it. Does it happen during specific atmospheric conditions? Temp, humidity, etc.?

[CSACANNONEER]

Yep but, conditions have to be just right and the spotter has to be positioned correctly in relation to the bullet's path to see it. I have only seen it a few times.

[Outta Control]

Yep but, conditions have to be just right and the spotter has to be positioned correctly in relation to the bullet's path to see it. I have only seen it a few times.

^^^
This

[Tripper]

I have a hunting video somewhere that the vapor trail was slightly illuminated, almost like a tracer round

[Shenaniguns]

30 seconds in.

[BayAreaShooter]

30 seconds in.

That video was pretty awesome.

[BayAreaShooter]

Yep but, conditions have to be just right and the spotter has to be positioned correctly in relation to the bullet's path to see it. I have only seen it a few times.

Thank you for the clarification.

[Big Ben]

Cool video. And that shot 30 seconds in ... doesn't it look like the bullet is hooking back from right to left? Crazy.

[Shenaniguns]

Cool video. And that shot 30 seconds in ... doesn't it look like the bullet is hooking back from right to left? Crazy.

It probably is, I'm sure even a light breeze will move it at that distance.

[ale014]

It probably is, I'm sure even a light breeze will move it at that distance.

Yup,

shooting at long distances, the marksmen and his spotter must factor in cross-winds.
They must know how to gauge the wind and use it to their advantage.

..can't wait to check out the magpul dynamics video when it comes out!

[Us3rName]

Vapor trail is true and in certain condition can really be noticeable. Often used to judge trajectory of the projectile and spotter would than account for corrections and forward over info collected to shooter.

[Agustav]

I've seen this when the humidity is high like when it just rained. For even more awesome bullet flight effect shoot at a metal target in the rain... No only will you see the trail, you will also see a splash of water when the bullet strikes the target!

[Jonathan Doe]

If you position yourself directly behind the shooter and right over the line of the bore, you can see it even in bright sunny days.