shootin in the rain

[jhnrckr]

i was out a weak ago shooting a new rifle at the outdoor covered range bench. was getting good groups .65" best with a remington 7400 .270 130 gr corelokts. 1.5" out of my weatherby 7mm rem mag and 150 grn winchester ballistic silver tips. it was raining a little harder when i was shooting the 7mm. i was pissed my $400 remington and $20 ammo out shot a weatherby rig with $45 ammo. Did the rain open up my groups?

 

[Cosmoline]

I've always heard rain doesn't do anything to bullets, but that it can effect the shooter enough to decrease groups. Both in wetness and if the drops are big enough in keeping a sight picture clear.

 

[ZeSpectre]

My opinion is that there is usually enough environmental factors in a rainstorm (temperatures, wind, the rain itself, etc.) that affect both gun and shooter that I'm never surprised when groups open up in the rain.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I've always heard rain doesn't do anything to bullets, but that it can effect the shooter enough to decrease groups. Both in wetness and if the drops are big enough in keeping a sight picture clear.

So you are saying that an object traveling at 2800+fps hitting a fluid surface is not affected? Rain, as well as the difference in barometric pressures, wind, and temperature will not only affect the rifles performance, but also the shooter him/herself.

 

[W.E.G.]

The shock wave around a bullet will obliterate any water droplets.

There may be some slight effect that a benchrest shooter might be able to prove.

From my many experiences shooting in the rain, the water in the air was no impediment to practical accuracy.

However, water drops in the rear aperture, or on the lenses of my shooting glases, are definitely harmful to execution of an accurate shot.

 

[rcmodel]

I agree.

Long range match scores were not noticeably impacted in the rain when we shot in the service.

As long as the rain wasn't accompanied by gusting wind, lightening, and hail!
And as long as the shooters could see the targets and could keep water out of their sights.

rc

 

[azwizard]

Rain is accompanied obviously by increased humidity and may cause the stock to fit the action differently or press on the barrel slightly, Barametric pressure also can cause a slight change in bullet impact. Hence the importance of bedding the action and free floating the barrel.

Have you shot those two rifles on a nice non-humid day?

 

[Tadracket]

You say new rifle. Which one was new? How far are you shooting?
Could just be the rifle but who cares. 1.5" at say 100 yards is not that bad a shot.
I expect my 300 to hold < 1" at 100 yards but for my AR, I am happy with anything < 2.5".
There is just something about that rifle, I don't care who shoots it. It does not like to group any tighter than 2.5" with the load I build. And in most probable case, it is my load being a little too hot. No biggie. A deers eye ball is not much smaller than that.

 

[jhnrckr]

they are both new guns I guess as I have shot the 7400 about 80 rounds and the weatherby about 35 rounds. Maybe the weatherby doesnt like ballistic silvertips? I was impressed with the corelokts, for cheap walmart ammo it groups tight.

 

[Tadracket]

Coreloks use to be all I would shoot in my larger rifles till I started loading my own.

Could just be finding that sweet spot for the Weatherby. As accurate as you are with the 7400, I'm sure you'll find it with the other. Just going to take the right ammo. Good luck.