Trying to learn/guessing the wind.

[Allen R]

3/24/25 here in eastern Ohio was decently windy day. Switching really quick opposite directions with some good velocity. Shooting 50yds, I shot the 1st shot high left and then held for that condition and right as I pulled the trigger I saw the wind flags I had out switch the opposite direction, and shot 2 went way right. Took a deep breath and the next 8 went where they were supposed to go. One thing I noticed is that when a steady condition abruptly quit(flags fell flat) if I shot when that happened I consistently shot 1/2-3/4 bullet low(see second picture). Does this seem to be the norm?

 

[dusterdave173]

Our first windy rookie match the experienced shooter on the next bench said
When you hear shooting--shoot! When the others go silent you stop
Low tech way to get started in the wind

 

[DShortt]

Our first windy rookie match the experienced shooter on the next bench said
When you hear shooting--shoot! When the others go silent you stop
Low tech way to get started in the wind

I can see the reasoning behind that advice, but I can't see how anyone can learn much that way.
Perhaps it would be more meaningful to shoot when you personally think the conditions are good for you, and just try to notice if others are shooting then or not?

Thinking out loud here. If I'm off-base just say so. I'm just thinking about getting started in BR myself. So I do not claim to be any authority on the subject.

 

[Bill Norris]

I can see the reasoning behind that advice, but I can't see how anyone can learn much that way.
Perhaps it would be more meaningful to shoot when you personally think the conditions are good for you, and just try to notice if others are shooting then or not?

Thinking out loud here. If I'm off-base just say so. I'm just thinking about getting started in BR myself. So I do not claim to be any authority on the subject.

I'm just trying to get the hang of it at 100 yds. first. I have a lot to learn no doubt. I saw in Dec. at a 600 yd. match it is demanding to figure out exactly what is happening at the longer ranges. Just because your first shots land in the center of whatever you are checking your scope with does not mean your shots in the match will land in the center of the target as changes in wind speed and direction comes into play.

 

[DShortt]

I'm just trying to get the hang of it at 100 yds. first. I have a lot to learn no doubt. I saw in Dec. at a 600 yd. match it is demanding to figure out exactly what is happening at the longer ranges. Just because your first shots land in the center of whatever you are checking your scope with does not mean your shots in the match will land in the center of the target as changes in wind speed and direction comes into play.

That makes perfect sense to me.

 

[BowChamp]

3/24/25 here in eastern Ohio was decently windy day. Switching really quick opposite directions with some good velocity. Shooting 50yds, I shot the 1st shot high left and then held for that condition and right as I pulled the trigger I saw the wind flags I had out switch the opposite direction, and shot 2 went way right. Took a deep breath and the next 8 went where they were supposed to go. One thing I noticed is that when a steady condition abruptly quit(flags fell flat) if I shot when that happened I consistently shot 1/2-3/4 bullet low(see second picture). Does this seem to be the norm?

I see what you describe quite a bit. We seem to get a lot of up and down drafts when the wind drops as you described.


Sounds like you are on the right path, shooting in the wind over flags is the best way to see what is happening.

Keep us post on your results.

Thanks!

 

[Muchinippi]

Just throwing this in for some thought, do you think when the wind died, tails dropped, bullet dropped , it could be a downdraft condition/swirl ????

 

[dhagerty40]

I learned using a windrose like this one. This one is based on a 5mph wind at 50 yards with a 22LR. The arrow shows wind direction and the red dot is where the bullet will go.

Now if you get a condition like we do where you have 4 wind flags out all 4 are blowing a different way, Just give up and shoot for fun!

 

[ELR LVR]

Just throwing this in for some thought, do you think when the wind died, tails dropped, bullet dropped , it could be a downdraft condition/swirl ????

It has more to do with Gyroscopic stability
The bullet will turn itself into the wind
Just like when you hold a spinning bicycle wheel in your hands by the axle ....and push the front of it sideways
the wheel will turn itself 90 degrees from the direction of rotation in order to stay pointed in the same direction because physics dictates the object wants to continue in the same direction.

 

[BradY]

Always got told- left lowers, right raises.

 

[Appalachian]

Our first windy rookie match the experienced shooter on the next bench said
When you hear shooting--shoot! When the others go silent you stop
Low tech way to get started in the wind

Also when someone curses, don’t shoot.

 

[jimmymac]

When you hear shooting--shoot! When the others go silent you stop
Low tech way to get started in the wind

That will bite you in butt in a hurry when guys start shooting like that playing follow the leader. Just because there is a lot of gunfire, does not mean conditions are good. It is true about as often as it is false. You have to learn to shoot your own game. There are no shortcuts.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Our first windy rookie match the experienced shooter on the next bench said
When you hear shooting--shoot! When the others go silent you stop
Low tech way to get started in the wind

How would you know the shot you heard was not a sighter? IMO best way is to block out everything and watch your flags. Shoot when your condition presents itself.

Lee

 

[jpx2rk]

Some brands/lots of RF ammo are more sensitive to wind and wind changes than other lots/brands. Need to know what that particular lot of ammo does, either by shooting sighters or practice days with not so perfect conditions.