Which factor affects bullet trajectory the most?

The factor that most significantly affects bullet trajectory is wind conditions. When a bullet is fired, it travels through the atmosphere where various environmental factors come into play, and wind is one of the most impactful.

Wind can create lateral movement, causing the bullet to deviate from its intended path. The strength and direction of the wind can vary greatly, influencing how much the bullet will drift during its flight. Side winds can push the bullet off target, while winds that blow in the same direction as the bullet's trajectory can increase its distance, or winds against it can cause it to drop sooner than expected.

While bullet type, barrel length, and humidity levels can influence specific aspects of bullet performance—such as velocity, accuracy, and stability—they do not exert the same immediate and dynamic influence on the bullet's trajectory as wind does. Understanding how to read and compensate for wind is crucial for shooters, especially in long-range shooting scenarios, where even minor adjustments can make a significant difference in hitting the target.