Learning to read wind

[rebel]

Had no choice, wanted a no wind 300 zero for the Groundhog Shoot coming up.Just wasn't happening today. Shot 5 at 100 on a clean barrel, went to 300. First two groups sucked, random flyers -my fault as wind reading is my nemesis. I started ambushing it, letting it lull and breaking the shot. This is the last 3 I shot.
The rest of my groups were 5 shots per, and roughly half MOA. No mirage this evening, wind was coming from behind and right at 15 to 5 mph.

One of these days maybe I'll learn something but you fellows have taught me a lot.

 

[Immike]

Keep shooting in the wind and let it be your advantage. I like the ambush statement, your on it now! That’s choosing a condition.

 

[rebel]

I'm trying. I mean I had to face facts, If I waited on dead calm days I'd never shoot. The other day I shot in a pretty steady 10 to 12 mph. My smallest group was 1 1/4. If I was a better driver that wouldn't have happened.
Another good point is that I can almost guarantee the wind will blow during the match. The good wind readers will carry the day for sure.

 

[JFrank]

Google
Vera Carter

 

[rebel]

Google
Vera Carter

Thanks, very interesting article.

 

[rebel]

In all fairness, here is a group I shot in similar winds about a week ago. Just aiming and shooting - same distance, same rifle and same load.

 

[JFrank]

Doesn’t take a whole lot of wind to mess ya up

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Just let the wind change and see how far itll go. The only way to learn the wind is to let the wind push you around

 

[Whit holman]

So what your saying is shoot at same spot and see where it goes in different winds

 

[GaryL1959]

Had no choice, wanted a no wind 300 zero for the Groundhog Shoot coming up.Just wasn't happening today. Shot 5 at 100 on a clean barrel, went to 300. First two groups sucked, random flyers -my fault as wind reading is my nemesis. I started ambushing it, letting it lull and breaking the shot. This is the last 3 I shot.
The rest of my groups were 5 shots per, and roughly half MOA. No mirage this evening, wind was coming from behind and right at 15 to 5 mph.

One of these days maybe I'll learn something but you fellows have taught me a lot.

If we can just get 3 lulls in the 2 minute time allowed during the match.... and I ain't between those 2 guys shooting the 300 Jarrett's with the 'tank brakes' on them this year. I swear, the blast off of those beasts would knock my glasses sideways every time they shot!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

So what your saying is shoot at same spot and see where it goes in different winds

Yes. Then youll know how far to hold and where

 

[rebel]

Dusty, that's kind of what I was doing with the last pic, The group I had shot previously. The wind on both days was from 6 o'clock to 4 o'clock, yet it still pushed me right on the first day. Since I was practicing for a match where there are NO wind indicators allowed, I had none out. There is a swirl at 300 I can't see, probably caused by the 30 foot berm.
Still, I should always have some sort of flag out so I can refer back to condition.

 

[rebel]

If we can just get 3 lulls in the 2 minute time allowed during the match.... and I ain't between those 2 guys shooting the 300 Jarrett's with the 'tank brakes' on them this year. I swear, the blast off of those beasts would knock my glasses sideways every time they shot!

Those Jarrett boys bring the boomers for sure!

 

[JFrank]

Rebel
I use to have a copy of FM 23-10
Inside you’ll find a section on wind reading without the benefit of wind flags.
J

 

[JFrank]

Although it didn’t help me much on Sunday

 

[AndyTaber]

And then there are those that make wind calls based on reading the mirage. Someday, if I keep practicing.

 

[rardoin]

And then there are those that make wind calls based on reading the mirage. Someday, if I keep practicing.

On a day with light winds (ie- under 5mph or so) mainly coming from cross range forget the flags and keep your face down on the scope (rifle at least but preferably rifle and spotter) and make your call solely on mirage for one match...you will be surprised at how quick you will get the basics of reading mirage if you dedicate yourself solely to that indicator for a match. Some matches (3x20) I have shot without looking at windflags spare maybe one for direction IF the wind had some tail or headwind component. It is a great skill to have in your pocket on the days that mirage will beat the flags...which is quite often.

 

[Pablo]

I've been told by a bunch of old timers the best way to learn the wind is to shoot a rail gun, the rail eliminates the effects of mirage and all you have to watch are the flags. Keep in mind that wind hold offs have a vertical component.

 

[ShootDots]

On a day with light winds (ie- under 5mph or so) mainly coming from cross range forget the flags and keep your face down on the scope (rifle at least but preferably rifle and spotter) and make your call solely on mirage for one match...you will be surprised at how quick you will get the basics of reading mirage if you dedicate yourself solely to that indicator for a match. Some matches (3x20) I have shot without looking at windflags spare maybe one for direction IF the wind had some tail or headwind component. It is a great skill to have in your pocket on the days that mirage will beat the flags...which is quite often.

^^^^^ What Robin said here is excellent advice. Now I am going to make a statement that many may not agree with. Here it is: NOBODY can R-E-A-L-L-Y read the wind. They know which "general direction" it is going in. They know "approximately" the velocity. However, that's about it. EXAMPLE: Last year I was at the Capitan Range in New Mexico twice. We shot at 600 and 1000.. Normally, at least from what I could see, the first match of the day was dead calm. Scores were high. But by everybody's third match, the wind was howling at or above 25m.p.h. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY could clean the target then! If we COULD actually read the wind, the scores would have been higher>>>but they were not! If you have a 10m.p.h. "full value" cross wind, and the flags turn say just a quarter away from full value>>>you can't, or you would have a very difficult time trying to see the actual directional change>>>it's too small. However, that 10m.p.h wind will put your shot out of the 10 ring, IF you held in the same place on the target! Winds coming AT you or AWAY from you cause vertical. Intermittent wind gusts come out of nowhere>>>how do you read that? My point is, eventually you will learn to "read and ascertain" the wind with a modicum of success. However, the variables are so many that all you can really do in "stupid" wind is use all your experience, learn from the previous shot, then HOPE you did better on the next shot!

 

[foxguy]

I have a book on Wind Reading ordered on Amazon.
I hope it's a good one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1510739726/?tag=accuratescom-20

The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters: How to Improve Your Accuracy in Mild to Blustery Conditions By Linda Miller and Keith Cunningham.

I believe it's a 2nd time released. June Release Date.
I'm Looking forward to getting it.