Crazy WIND!!

[2eagles]

I took my Burris FF3 off my 20g to hunt birds last fall. Put it back on and went out today to make sure I didn't need any adjustments. Silly windy today, but I went anyway. Short story is, I was hitting 6-8 inches to the right which where the wind would have pushed the pattern. Yes, I will be going back to shoot again! But, the wind pushing the pattern that much really surprised me. What do you guys think? Does the wind really move the shot that much??

[2eagles]

I was shooting at 35 yards.

[Tom007]

Seems like it could, if you find your scope is in fact zero'd in....

[Spurs Up]

Try shooting it with a cheap lead load at maybe 1/3 that distance. If the center is still to the right, even a little, the sight probably needs to be adjusted.

[bbcoach]

Try shooting it with a cheap lead load at maybe 1/3 that distance. If the center is still to the right, even a little, the sight probably needs to be adjusted.

This!  Dove load at 12 to 13 yards, adjust, then shoot at 40.  Wind was blowing hard here as well but it shouldn't have pushed it 6-8 inches.

[bwhana]

Do not discount the wind.  It can wreak havoc with patterns, especially in density, but will vary greatly depending on the direction. Tail winds have the least effect and boost your maximum range by 20 yds. jk!

[Tail Feathers]

I read somewhere on here many years ago, one of the competitive target shooters said strong side wind can move your pattern several inches in 40 yards.  I don't doubt it and take the wind into account when planning on a patterning/sight in session.

[Wigsplitter]

Like some of the others said - shoot dove loads at 12-13 yards then adjust - you should be tearing a hole in the paper that close at center of pattern it will be obvious where you are centered!

[Spurs Up]

It's a wonder anybody ever kills one in Kansas!

[the Ward]

I read somewhere on here many years ago, one of the competitive target shooters said strong side wind can move your pattern several inches in 40 yards.  I don't doubt it and take the wind into account when planning on a patterning/sight in session.

I seem to remember that too. I think it was Clark aka Allaboutshooting. He was a treasure trove
of shooting info. I miss his posts!  The wind can shift a pattern around a bit, I also try to avoid shooting
and testing on days with  appreciable wind so it doesn't skew the results.

[FLGobstopper]

Years and years ago when I was much younger and dumber I remember some days seeing some very crazy pattern drift using steel shot for waterfowl at 25-30yds in gusting winds above on the coast above 35mph. In those instances it was more like feet instead of inches. So, I could imagine inches for sure with very severe cross winds with lead.

It definitely has an affect! To what degree depends a lot on the load, obviously difference in steel to tungsten and many other factors. I can say I've shot a few turkeys in some pretty windy conditions and I don't think I've missed one yet because of it. However, I'm gonna blame wind on a bunch of waterfowl misses and myself for being out there in the first place and then not compensating or being prepared to adapt to the conditions.