New Range

[Nvreloader]

I have one already, but it is facing East and being in between 2 large long valleys, (imagine a 8 lying on it's side, this range is at the pinch point between the big valley's on each side), it has some problems that are very hard to deal with and is causing me headaches.

Being new to this type of shooting,(long range/small groups etc), it is giving me fits and makes for very rough testing conditions learning to shoot the smallest groups possible at these long ranges etc.

This present range sits flat from 0 to 500yds and then changes to an up slope angle of 15* to target impact area at 1200yds. During the early AM hours, you are looking into the sun and from shooting time(Sun up) till about 9-10Am, the winds are from the the North.

After the valley heats up, the winds change during the warmer/summer time, and usually flow from the South. This variable wind is usually about 90* to 120* cross wind when shooting, from either North/ South directions and usually run around the 0/20mph+ bracket.

So I am building a new one.
What would be the best direction to face, I would believe it should be facing North, that way the winds would be either a head or tailwind, the sun would be traveling from East to West arc, so no problems in seeing the targets/impact area etc.

My question is, How much will a head/tail winds up to (0/20MPH) cause major headaches when shooting for groups?

Any other items I should be looking at.

This range will be a drive up and set the target at what ever range you want to shoot at, Bench area will remain in the same spot, target moves to the different ranges as needed.

Ranges will be marked off in 100yd increments with metal stakes driven into the ground, and will have a mountain hill side for a back stop, with NO road access to the impact area except thru the bench area.

Nothing permanate can be installed or built and the range cows WILL destroy what the local kids don't destroy.
This will be a portable bench on a small trailer or down and dirty, lay on your can't see the belt buckle/muffin roll, and on the ground etc. ;D

Tia,
Don

 

[mao0720]

Wish I had your problems. I cant find a 1000yd range within several hundred miles of my home. I only get to shoot that far once a year.

 

[pdhntr]

Can't help you much with the wind question, but IMO the best direction for a range in the northern hemisphere is for the shooter to be shooting north. My 600 yd range faces north and the target is well lit all day, and I never have to look into the sun.

Jim

 

[KMart]

North is best. Virtually all the trap and skeet ranges in the country are set up to shoot north. In the winter the sun is back to the south and it will help keep the target visable.
we have some pistol ranges at our club that face south and this time of year you get a face full of sun.

 

[bheadboy]

lucky you,
the wind question, i can help with, where you live, which is the most consistant wind direction. here is is from the north/west (about 10:30) on a clock. thus it would be a consideration for a north facing range.

head and tail winds 12/6 oclock, are the easiest to work with. the greater the change indegrees to 3/9 oclock on the range layout the greater the need for correction.

bob

 

[Nvreloader]

Right now, the winds are from 5 to 7 (tail winds) and so far the range length is about 10* on the East side of T North from being perfect 6 oclock tail winds to the bench area.

The bench area will be on a long ridge/finger and will drop away to the center then raise untill the target is almost straight level with the bench area, at over 1200yds, by gps reading.

Have one other spot to check out, with winds over 50mph yesterday, I gave up trying to see, just too much Dust in the air.

Tia,
Don

 

[wapiti25]

I live in the California desert about 120 Mi west of LV and the mirage is going to be your problem, use it to read the wind. North facing is as good as it gets. I don't know what type of shooting you are practicing for but learn to shoot in the wind and mirage and you will be good to go.

 

[Cakes]

Nice problem to have. ++ On having the sun predominately at your back. You can learn to read the wind/mirage but not much fun shooting in the shadows. If you're curious what the predominate wind is in your area find a small airport. All airports do extensive wind studies to orient the runways into the prevailing wind. Larger airports will usually have a cross-wind runway or two. In rare occasions there are geographical limitations when putting the runways down but for the most part they are orientated into the wind. In the upper midwest most are 310* and 130*..NW/SE. Keep us updated on your project & good luck! Eric in DL

 

[Nvreloader]

When shooting into a Head wind (11,12,1 oclock position) or Tail wind 5,6,7 oclock position).

What is the action of these wind directions, on the bullet?

Meaning, Head winds goes low, Tail wind goes high etc, as a normal rule?

Tia,
Don

 

[Nvreloader]

I went out to the new range,(at this location,40-21N and 118-22W,Elev 4300' Google Earth, shooting due North), I am setting up, and checked the wind directions for the last 10 days.

The wind at this new range constantly blows from the 5 to 7 or 11 to 1 oclock positions,(head/tail winds) depending on the prevailing winds for that day, thru this valley.
The average wind speed has been from a low 5mph to yesterdays high of 22mph for the last recordings.

The old range had about the same wind speeds, only 99% of the time it was 90* cross wind, with a 15* upslope angle from bench area to impact area and you were shooting into the morning sun.

Finding a safe back stop for the impact area and getting 1500yds+, and having the best layout (north facing direction) and fairly level area, is proving to be quite a quest around here, without shooting over a roadway and having a safe backstop etc.

The best areas are the flat Playa areas,(Blue Wing at this location of 40-22N/119-05W, Google Earth), Pool table flat for 5.7 miles long x 3 miles wide,Elevatation 4400', 20'+ high banks to shoot into, only the closest one is 25-30 miles away.

Tia,
Don

 

[bheadboy]

Don,

as to the effect of the wind from the directions youi indicate, the following is true

if the wind is from the 7 to 5 the mirage will move image of the target up to the 1 or 11 - the amount of movement will depend on the distance and the velocity of the wind

if the wind is from 11 or 1 the mirage will move the image of the target down to the 7 or 5 - again the amount of movement will depend on the distance and elocity of the wind

the mor the angle at which the wind moves the greater the shift away from 6 and 12 either up or down

Bob

 

[Nvreloader]

Hi Bob,
Question,
With any wind blowing at over 5mph+, regardless the direction, Would I be able to see the mirage at the longer distances, say 500,1000yds etc?

I know what mirage is, and on a calm day, with little or no wind, I can see it in the scope or spotting scope, around here. Where I see it the most on is the flat playa, it looks like looking thru a swimming pool etc.

I do lots of varmint shooting (Rock Chucks) at long distances, out to 800+ yds, for the first shot, first kill, no sighters or ranging shots, farest distance so far.
I don't believe I have seen any mirage shooting accross the canyon rims, just lots of SQUIRRELY winds to deal with.

Tia,
Don

 

[bheadboy]

Don,
Faster winds tend to "straighten" out the mirage, thus hard to read,

open spaces, valleys, are hard as the mirage is a variation in humidity/caused density of the air, heat rising from ground , up in the air, this is not easily seen.

bob