22 LR benchrest question

[Williwaw]

Thanks Todd, I appreciate your confirmation of my observations.

I am learning to shoot more sighters and I try to correlate the POI shift with what the flags indicate I should expect based on a wind chart. At this stage in my development I have more confidence if everything lines up so to speak.

 

[jdp29]

I'm fairly new to the benchrest discipline. Looking at the first wind chart, am I to understand that a direct headwind or direct tailwind, has no effect on POI ?

There are several different charts out there which show different effect. Take it with a grain and do your own testing.

 

[USMCDOC]

Thanks Todd, I appreciate your confirmation of my observations.

I am learning to shoot more sighters and I try to correlate the POI shift with what the flags indicate I should expect based on a wind chart. At this stage in my development I have more confidence if everything lines up so to speak.

If you go back and look at those three wind charts, notice that not one of them really agree with each other. They might give you a "thereabouts", but beyond that, it is experience with the wind that prevails..

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Charts are good for as was said a general idea of where to start. but sighters tell you the real hold off to use.
each range's topographical layout is different wind will react differently on say a flat range versus one with berms between the bench and the target. even the bench area can have an effect on the wind. how the roof/overhead cover is designed does it have post supports near the bench.
the best chart is the one you plot with sighters, because the simple truth is that it is the only real time information you can trust!

Lee

 

[js2013]

Its interesting, according to these charts, a slight change in wind direction will put the bullet in opposite quadrants (for example the difference between an 11 O’clock and a 1 O’clock wind (or 5/7).

 

[ADKTIM]

Charts are good for as was said a general idea of where to start. but sighters tell you the real hold off to use.
each range's topographical layout is different wind will react differently on say a flat range versus one with berms between the bench and the target. even the bench area can have an effect on the wind. how the roof/overhead cover is designed does it have post supports near the bench.
the best chart is the one you plot with sighters, because the simple truth is that it is the only real time information you can trust!

Lee

Pardon my ignorance, I like your use of sighters to indicate POI. So once you start shooting for record can you still shoot sighter?

 

[USMCDOC]

Pardon my ignorance, I like your use of sighters to indicate POI. So once you start shooting for record can you still shoot sighter?

yes

 

[ADKTIM]

yes

That's the ticket right there

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Pardon my ignorance, I like your use of sighters to indicate POI. So once you start shooting for record can you still shoot sighter?

I only know of ARA rules which are unlimited sighters as Todd mentioned he will use as much as 25 shots shooting sighters on a 25 bull target I have done the same

Lee

 

[MrG52D]

Sighters are your only friend. Even shooting at an indoor range, I shoot a good many. Both ARA and IR allow as many as you need, just have to make sure time allows.

 

[Todd Earhart]

js2013, to me those are the most difficult conditions to shoot. Very unpredictable and the slightest change in flags will send it off. I feel like those conditions are the least forgiving. I burn through a lot more ammo if I'm forced to shoot them. I have to keep going back to sighters and never get full confidence.
Todd

 

[js2013]

js2013, to me those are the most difficult conditions to shoot. Very unpredictable and the slightest change in flags will send it off. I feel like those conditions are the least forgiving. I burn through a lot more ammo if I'm forced to shoot them. I have to keep going back to sighters and never get full confidence.
Todd

I agree! Certainly keeps things interesting. When winds get really nasty I know guys (sling and BR) who won’t use their best ammo lots since the wind conditions will override the ammo lot benefit LOL. They keep their best lots for the better wind conditions or indoors.

 

[ADKTIM]

I agree! Certainly keeps things interesting. When winds get really nasty I know guys (sling and BR) who won’t use their best ammo lots since the wind conditions will override the ammo lot benefit LOL. They keep their best lots for the better wind conditions or indoors.

I find myself doing the same thing. Good day ammo....Bad day ammo. I have to look at the conditions and see if my equipment can out shoot the conditions. Another thing i have to deal with in my neck of the woods is Temperature. This time of year here in the Adirondacks temps rarely get over 35 degrees. Last week i decided to shoot some Eley match and 10X. The lube on those cartridges is so thick i had a hell of a time chambering them. Then after 10 or so rounds they wouldn't eject. The lapua/SK stuff with there oily lube is much better in the cold. I guess i could but them in a box with a few hand warmers and see what happens. But then just more stuff to lug to the range. One thing i'll say about Benchrest, it "stuff" intensive.

 

[Todd Earhart]

My thoughts on ammo choice in rough conditions verses low to no condition. I will tend to use my better ammo in the worse conditions. Loose ammo or lots with flyers cause me to loose confidence in my hold offs. I can't get it out of my mind whether it was a bad call or the loose lot.
Todd

 

[boltman13]

Things I have found helpful:
+ use 2 wind flags one near your target and visible in the bottom of your scope, the second about half way to the target and visible with your non-dominant eye without loosing your cheek weld. This is hard to do if you shut that eye normally, in which case you may have to check the near flag and close that eye.
+ shoot lots of sighters paying close attention to the wind flags and try to get centered up in a frequent condition.
+ Shoot quickly when you can stay in a known condition.
+ Correct as best you can in a new condition, hold off if necessary, and try to shoot with the same hold in the new condition.
+Return to the sighter if and when you need to.
+don't let one bad shot or missed wind call ruin your concentration.
I haven't found a single high velocity round that even approaches Match Grade ammunition in accuracy in my rifles.

 

[Williwaw]

I just reread the OP's post and have a bit to add.

I have worked my way up to six flags. The first one is right in front of me, the fourth is at 25 yds , and the last one is about 6 yards in front of the target. My process is check flags, check cross hairs, pull trigger, check flags quickly if I got a surprise down range. I used to hate shooting in the wind and now I don't care either way.

Good ammo was a big help to me as I tried to improve my wind reading this past summer. I study my targets to see if my misses are clustering and then look at a chart to see what condition I might be missing. Too many fliers or too loose a grouping and that possibility goes away.

 

[dhom]

How many times have you had a left to right wind showing on the flags and then you start feeling wind
on the back of your head?

 

[jpx2rk]

When shooting sighters to determine hold-off, do you aim at the "dot" to find your POA, or do you aim at the "possible hold-off POA" to see if that sighter round takes out the dot???

 

[Williwaw]

I aim at the dot, it is my most precise aiming point. Also, if I am looking back at sighters I would never remember my POA if it wasn't dead center.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

When shooting sighters to determine hold-off, do you aim at the "dot" to find your POA, or do you aim at the "possible hold-off POA" to see if that sighter round takes out the dot???

I aim for the center since for me it is easier to judge the amount of difference the shot went from center since it is a constant landmark point so to speak. I shoot at least 2 shots then make the adjustment and see if that is where I need to hold. I find it again easier and faster to adjust doing it this way.
as an example, if I aim center and the shot went to 4'o'clock I know I need to hold around 10 o'clock or there's about. I adjust also by how far it went from center too.

This is another reason I don't use charts. you will run into a condition where you will need to hold opposite of what the chart would indicate. trust your sighters they won't lie!

Lee