Vertical dispersion good indicator of potential group size?

[LRS_Ranger]

The reason I ask as I was getting a vertical dispersion of about 3 inches at 700 meters, but the left/right was 12-15 inches with a couple even further, because of the blasted gusty wind. Does this mean that I will get 3 inch groups in ideal conditions? I was using a .308 and it was blowing a good full value 8-10MPH with gusts up to 15-18 I would guess. I've never shot this rifle out this far before, so I don't have anything else to compare it to. Thanks!

 

[Welding Rod]

Not necessarly. There is a good likelyhood that some of that lateral dispersion was due to barrel heating. If that is the case, that lateral component would still exist in the absence of wind.