Shooting into the Rain

[Ezana4CE]

This is something I don’t know about, but has crossed my mind on occasion. Has anyone practiced shooting air guns (pellets or slugs) from a covered position out into the rain? If so were you shooting targets or game? Which caliber were you shooting? From what distance(s)? How did the rain affect your shots (POI)? Did you have to compensate for any additional resistance? Please describe the downpour i.e. heavy, light, constant, intermittent, with wind, ect. I would think rain drops would make reading wind a little easier, at least closer to the muzzle.

 

[dizzums]

lol, ive shot sht in the rain before .. doesnt effect anything, i think the odds of scoring a direct hit on a raindrop are about 1000/1 actually, and even then i think one or two have negligable effect on ballistics .. now if its an all out storm, you and your equipment 'will' get wet, and thats going to affect your shooting one way or the other.

 

[Scotty1]

I shoot from my garage, sometimes in the rain. I’ve noticed no effect, surprisingly, but will have to pay better attention next time. forecast here is for rain for the next several days…

 

[Ezana4CE]

@dizzums I thought about the odds as well, but you know how these big ol’ southern rain drops can fall…

Something I was curious about considering how my luck went with weather and opportunities to hunt when I had energy to prepare and actually get out this past season. I saw a good amount of rain, but wasn’t keen on sitting in a blind or pop up blind.

 

[.20calguy]

This is something I don’t know about, but has crossed my mind on occasion. Has anyone practiced shooting air guns (pellets or slugs) from a covered position out into the rain? If so were you shooting targets or game? Which caliber were you shooting? From what distance(s)? How did the rain affect your shots (POI)? Did you have to compensate for any additional resistance? Please describe the downpour i.e. heavy, light, constant, intermittent, with wind, ect. I would think rain drops would make reading wind a little easier, at least closer to the muzzle.

We just had the wettest winter that I can remember.
It rained from Mid December to about mid March leaving my yard constantly flooded. So I shot frequently from our porch to the targets in the rain. My targets are small to medium size pill bottles stuffed with a large washer tied to a string, hanging at distances of 25 to 28 yards.
Even heavy rain had no effect on my shooting in comparison to no rain, except that my targets filled with water taking some of the reaction out of them, and replacing the cowbell effect to a click sound. POA and windage was the same as no rain.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@.20calguy Sounds good to me. Now I want to try it.

 

[.20calguy]

@.20calguy Sounds good to me. Now I want to try it.

I do have a youtube video testing a Sheridan in a light rain there.
If you're interested its called, Sheridan Silverstreak or garbage @haroldcollins1282

 

[Sqwirl57]

Here's a video I made shooting my .25 Dreamline a few years ago in the pouring rain. Seeing the rain drops explode as they were hit was definitely fun. My pellet was still making it to my spinner fine at 50yds. Whether or not it deviated a hair or not I can't answer for certain.

 

[AirShot]

My experience in the rain is...light to moderate rain little impact, more heavy rain it messes up shots at distance, beyond 35 yds. My luck I probably hit a drop of water!! Have shot a couple matches in the rain...not good results, fogging scope ( exterior lens) stock swelling, poi shifts, wont ever do it again !! At home I frequently shoot under an awning, rain not an issue but if it rains heavy or the wind blows...will wait for another day!! My results are with springers, no experience with pcp.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@AirShot I would not want to take my guns out into the rain. I’ve been out in mist and below freezing temps so digging I’m familiar with. It would be different if I’m already out and get caught in a shower. I didn’t even think of the stock absorbing water and swelling. That can’t be good for the wood. I was only speaking of shooting from a covered position. Good to have input from someone who has shot in the rain. If I find myself in that predicament at least I have a better idea of things to consider in caring for my rifle. Thanks for that input.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Here's a video I made shooting my .25 Dreamline a few years ago in the pouring rain. Seeing the rain drops explode as they were hit was definitely fun. My pellet was still making it to my spinner fine at 50yds. Whether or not it deviated a hair or not I can't answer for certain.

That’s what I’m talking about!! Thanks for sharing this.

 

[JP806TX]

Here's a video I made shooting my .25 Dreamline a few years ago in the pouring rain. Seeing the rain drops explode as they were hit was definitely fun. My pellet was still making it to my spinner fine at 50yds. Whether or not it deviated a hair or not I can't answer for certain.

Here's another video of someone in UK shooting in the rain. ... OK first part was a garden hose simulation, clearly showing a POI change.
Second part was shooting HFT in the rain. Unsure if shooters were changing POA to compensate for the rain. UNDER 12 FPE!

 

[Scotty1]

Here's a video I made shooting my .25 Dreamline a few years ago in the pouring rain. Seeing the rain drops explode as they were hit was definitely fun. My pellet was still making it to my spinner fine at 50yds. Whether or not it deviated a hair or not I can't answer for certain.

I was just going to say, I have clearly seen raindrops explode when hit, it’s a very cool effect!

 

[crowski]

I’ve shot several times in the rain at nite with 20,000 lunims shining. It’s really cool because you can see the pellets hitting the drops each causing a mini splash. You can see it only with the scope. And better with .25 and .22 cal. rounds. I’ve found no difference in accuracy. Crow

 

[Septicdeath]

Where I live you shoot in the rain 40% of the time. No difference in accuracy as far as I can tell.

 

[Gerry52]

Dave, I'm so good I just shoot BETWEEN the drops

 

[Chuck-in-Ohio]

Shooting into the rain has to be better than doing 'you know what' into the wind.......

 

[Ezana4CE]

Thank guys. I was more so concerned about hunting in the rain. Since air powered projectiles travel slower then firearm bullets, I didn’t know if rain drops would have a significant impact on the trajectory of a pellet or slug.

 

[Kraemer99]

Very interesting question and informative answers. Threads such as this is what keeps me coming back for more.
While reading about wood swelling I couldn’t help but wonder if the opposite (overly dry conditions) might cause a stock to crack. I remember as a kid when we moved from California to Albuquerque my mother complained about her maple furniture cracking from dry weather.

 

[Chukar60]

Thank guys. I was more so concerned about hunting in the rain. Since air powered projectiles travel slower than firearm bullets, I didn’t know if rain drops would have a significant impact on the trajectory of a pellet or slug.

I am not too sure how motivated I would be to drag one of my air guns out into the rain.
I have shot out to 100 yards from a garage out to some plinking cans. POA never changed.
Best of luck to you though!