Too windy to zero?

Big Mat

Well-Known Member
Quick questions for you all,

How windy is it sensible to zero a rifle in?

It's blowing 10mph gusty up to 20ish at times here, forecast of being the same for the rest of the week.

I've got 2 new rifles here that i'm keen to try out, but I've been holding off as it's been windy. Do I go and get a rough zero at 25 yards and then go back once its calm and get it set at 100 or just be patient and wait until the wind dies off.

thanks
mat
 
Just get out there and play ;) I'm pretty certain 10mph won't give you any issues for the time being. And in any case, it'll give you the perfect opportunity to practice your technique in less-than-perfect conditions. Go enjoy yourself
 
Nice problem to have.

If they were new new I would get out and zero to 50 while breaking them in gently. Then stretch them when conditions allow.

If seconds, I would probably wait but be itching to get out.
 
10 to 20 mph is a normal day in the hills, if you cant get on target at that wind speed , take up knitting lol
Ray
 
Both second hand rifles. One came with scope already mounted as the guy had been shooting it at 100 yards on the range. Other just needs the scope mounting when i pick the rings up later ( they've been delivered to the inlaws )

I'll nip out later and give them a try, I'm itching the get out as they're my first centrefires but at the same time don't want to waste my time if it's too windy to get them zero'd properly
 
If you shoot with the wind either directly blowing from you to your target of vice versa there should be zero impact on the windage then I would suggest that you shoot 90 degrees to the wind to satisfy your curiosity.
 
In windy conditions get right down low close to the deck & shoot prone where the wind is much reduced. If possible shoot directly in line with the wind either in your face or back to it.
Wait for the wind to drop before shooting if it's gusting.
If you must zero in a breeze hold off. 10 mph wind at 90 degrees roughly equates to 1" drift & 20 approximately doubles it. Allow for that & you'll be well within the kill zone for sensible range deer chest shots.
Get to know the rifles & fine tune zero when conditions improve.
Have fun!
Ian
 
If you can zero at 50 yards there is less chance of the bullets being blown off course.
A 6mm x 100 grain bullet (Asuming .25 BC) going 3000 fps zeroed dead on @ 50 yards will be (Theory) .4 inch high @ 100 yards, and, 2.8 inches low at 200 yards.
Ken.
 
You can zero in 10 mph wind, as has been said ideally wind straight on or straight behind, waiting between gusts, at 90º your hornady 100 gr ammo out of your .308 will deflect around an inch at 100 yards so in that knowledge you could zero 1" off for the wind, your 0.222 will be more depending on load.

Personally I'd get out and get them zeroed but check it in still conditions before stalking, as you are relatively new to this the last thing you want is to have niggling doubts on your zero when you get on your first deer. For all intents and purposes though at 10 mph you'll be fine so up to you.
 
If you shoot with the wind either directly blowing from you to your target of vice versa there should be zero impact on the windage then I would suggest that you shoot 90 degrees to the wind to satisfy your curiosity.

This. Get out and shoot and be safe
 
Best wait on a calm day to zero. However it pays to practise in the wind(after you have a zero) to see what effect those conditions are having on your bullets at different distances in which you intend to shoot
 
10-20 winds are not unusual at all out on the hill, i.e. normal and at 100yds you should zero perfectly well with any deer legal bullet exceeding .220”
Taking a longer range shot on live quarry requires additional attention.
 
No wind, no mistakes....aim small, miss small. You might be keen but with patience comes virtue.

Rgds Billy
 
10mph full with a typical deer load (say 2600 to 2800fps from a 130 to 160gr pill) is about 1 inch wind drift at 100 yds. You won't notice much vertical spread at this distance (but could further out). As said above, provided you have the wind behind you or head on give or take 10 degrees) don't worry about it and shoot away. You can always re-check your zero on a still day but it's not going to be far enough out to make any appreciable difference even to 150 yds.
 
It will definitely depend on the calibre how much the wind affects it. All will be to some degree, however a 243 will be move loads more than a 308.
As far as I understand at 100 yards you will get roughly 1 inch drift in the direction of the wind per 10 MPH.

Ben
 
Thanks gents.

I didn't get chance yesterday as I got roped into jobs at the in-laws.

Wind is nearly non existent today so I'll have a go this afternoon!
 
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