Anyone compete using windflags ?

[garandman]

WINDFLAGS!!!!

 

[rmist]

That's all we get for prone shooting, Smallbore F Class as well. Our X ring is 4.5 mm.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

WINDFLAGS!!!!

View attachment 1127900

Better than nuthin!

 

[TrxR]

Does a larger vane on a wind flag increase or decrease sensitivity?

 

[garandman]

Better than nuthin!

Its a *start* ... Learn to read the ribbon.

Eventually get real flags.

 

[garandman]

Does a larger vane on a wind flag increase or decrease sensitivity?

I was told by a few ppl a dual wind vane was good to have.

 

[Tim s]

Wicks flags.
90% of the time what you’re looking at is those tails

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Does a larger vane on a wind flag increase or decrease sensitivity?

More weight slows response time and adds friction at the point of contact. Same as garden daisies are akin to a truck flywheel. They don't stop and start quickly.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I was told by a few ppl a dual wind vane was good to have.

Their strength is an angling head wind. Other than that, I prefer a single vane. Transport is also a down side. But, to each their own. Just ask people that have flags like you are considering, for firsthand and unbiased views of different styles.

 

[garandman]

Lotsa opinions.

 

[garandman]

So… horrible match tonight trying to read the wind with my flags. Lol

Also I think I was so focused on the wind and flags I forgot all my mechanics.. ... breathing, trigger control, follow through, everything.

 

[1911nut]

View attachment 1127907 That's all we get for prone shooting. Smallbore F Class as well. Our X ring is 4.5 mm.
View attachment 1127905

You’re good. Tell us about the rifle, barrel, action.

The rifle must be good too.

 

[rmist]

You’re good. Tell us about the rifle, barrel, action.

The rifle must be good too.

Here's what I use...Holeshot 2500X action, Shilen barrel, Harrell tuner, Jewell trigger, Lapua Midas + ammunition, SEB Joy-Pod, Cerus stock, Nightforce scope...this setup has won a lot of Smallbore F Class matches !!

 

[Fotheringill]

#29-

"...Transport is also a down side...."

I have a mid sized SUV and the stuff I lug to the range barely sits under the height of the rear seats. It was a consideration in buying a single vane flag set. I yearn for the first day I had a range with a Henry .22 and a box of ammo. Life WAS simpler.

 

[1911nut]

Here's what I use...Holeshot 2500X action, Shilen barrel, Harrell tuner, Jewell trigger, Lapua Midas + ammunition, SEB Joy-Pod, Cerus stock, Nightforce scope...this setup has won a lot of Smallbore F Class matches !!

View attachment 1128006

Really nice outfit!

 

[Topwater]

Awaiting an opportunity to try out my new Graham Flags. They seem to be pretty sensitive. Is there a “ Wind-flags for Dummies “ somewhere ? It appears to be mostly common sense combined with physics. I’d like to read more about the subject.

 

[Tim s]

Awaiting an opportunity to try out my new Graham Flags. They seem to be pretty sensitive. Is there a “ Wind-flags for Dummies “ somewhere ? It appears to be mostly common sense combined with physics. I’d like to read more about the subject.

The ONLY way to get good at it is to spend time shooting over your flags, especially during less than optimum condition so you get to see first hand intensity vs direction vs impact changes.
Learn this, learn how to identify the prevailing condition, learn to differentiate what is and is not a shootable condition.
That knowledge comes only from trigger time and paying attention.
Also, learn to shoot with both eyes open, one on the scope, one on flags.

 

[garandman]

@Tim s ... well said. Thats my plan / goal.

 

[Topwater]

I got to shoot over the flags Saturday. Wind was around 8-10 mph and shifting. Those flags rotated 360 constantly. I was at a loss to decipher how to hold. I don’t know if I learned anything more than not to overcorrect. Right now my heads spinning about as much as those flags were. Do the ball type heads react differently than the daisy heads? Thanks, folks.

 

[garandman]

Those flags rotated 360 constantly. I was at a loss to decipher how to hold. I don’t know if I learned anything more than not to overcorrect.

Thats actually a pretty important lesson. It was for me, anyway

Right now my heads spinning about as much as those flags were. Do the ball type heads react differently than the daisy heads? Thanks, folks.

Im still learning myself.

But here is what I think I've learned… People talk about getting highly reactive wind flags but a large vane with the ball seems to be Sufficiently reactive to me. The different coloring of the ball is also helpful in telling whether it is a head wind or a tail wind. Make sure the Daisy wheel is different colored on the front and back of the wheel.

I actually focus on the ribbon/tail of the flag to determine wind speed and guesstimate much the wind direction will affect the shot. I also think that spin drift is an insignificant factor in adjusting for wind.

In my reading and experience it seems wisest to wait for 0 wind if ever that's possible, And to find the most common/prevailing wind condition. Look for 1 or 2 wind conditions that are favorable to shoot.

And sometimes… the wind is just going to kick your butt. There is no beating it.

But like I say I am still learning.