Q re Kestrel 5700 Ballistics Weather Meter with LiNK
- Thread starter Mr Wick
- Start date
Superjet
Silver $$ Contributor
I have one and enjoy it. I will caution you that the wind at 800 yards may not be doing the same thing it's doing at the firing line, also wind at ground level can and most likely will be different above the tree line. Keep in mind that the Kestrel is a tool, not an end all be all solution and it should help you improve your long range performance.
It's only going to tell you what's happening at the bench. Going
out to 800 yards it will have no clue. Best to rely on some type of
flags to let you know what the wind is doing at multiple yardages.
moondog
Gold $$ Contributor
Been using one for about 6 years now. I tried the wind capture for awhile and got frustrated. Now I enter my own wind values. Do NOT use "wind 1", enter 0 for that. Wind "2" is your friend. Like others have said, wind down range is most likely not the same as at the muzzle. Every one of the ballistic calculators will give you the same solution with the same inputs. The Kestrel just addresses atmospheric conditions automatically.
I have had one for several years...somewhat impressed by it ...but I hardly ever use it. I've used the 308 to shoot a bunch of small 3 shot groups 1.5" to 3.5 " inches not MOA 1000yds without it over 20 yrs ago before it was invented...and 3 shot groups at 1400 yds around 4" the best 5 shot group at 1400 was 7.6" about .5 MOA ...with nothing but a range finder. The wind meters were usless in the mountains where I was shooting across deep canyons. The wind is blowing the opposite direction over there where the bullet slows down...
I've been there and done that, eggs and pop cans at 1000. A first shot hit on a pop can at 1400 yds. Squirrels 1000 yds , one a first shot hit. The more you practice the better you get, it's not electronic gadgets...that make those long lucky shots, because your luck continues to improve.
25 yrs of long range shoot without all the electronic gagets ...and now I find it kinda boring..and more difficult for me to get back into.
I have built rifles that will reach farther, but the time and dedication it takes has taken its toll...the mental part is almost painful to restart, as I age my eyesight is failing, so that doesn't help. But it's not relaxing when you push yourself to the extreme, practice when you don't feel like it. Shoot in falling snow, or high wind that you have little chance of hitting your target, you do it anyway for educational purposes...you become one with your equipment. Always studying the wind, even when your at home and just open the door you check the wind at the city park you notice the wind, coming out of a restaurant you check the wind.
It's that way everyday for 25 years, I was obsessed with the wind...I do wind calls in mils, without a wind meter or flags ...cause this wasn't that type of organized shooting. More lone sniper type shooting ..no spotter...you can easily do your own spotting ...if you stick with 10X ..but a variable is nice and I prefer a 3 - 10x so you can turn down the power to 7 or 8 at 1400 yds because the high wind blew the bullet 1.5 Cadillacs to the left across the canyon where wind currents are very strange as the elevation drops instantly 1500 to 2000 feet with hills in the middle. And you wont have heat waves in the hot summer. But a man sized would be easy in those days at 1000 to 1400 yds, cause I shoot at 10" white circles...not 6 foot targets.
Today it's different because of deteriorating eyesight I use the high Def scope a 27X Razor, and sometimes remember to bring the Kestrel, but I don't need it...and I'm much faster with the old USMC 10X ...In the new scope all the lines are wavey and and distorted because of macular degeneration, I try to find the center dot...the Christmas tree is kinda useless with bad eyesight.
I have many of the modern calibers 17 to 50BMG, 6mm ARC to 450 Bushmaster, 300 blackout to 8.6 blackout. But a whole bunch of 308s from 12, 10, 9, & 8 twist, 18, to 30 inch barrels. if I had to choose one it would be a 308, because it will do 95% of all the shooting I need and do it for less...and it ain't no slouch, today I run 200 gr .715 MK at 2856 fps to 225 gr eldm .777 BC at 2675 fps bullets, & 230 gr Atips at 2620 fps with the 308 case 30" barrel 8 twist, long action mag feed. And you can single load 200 gr 715 BC out of a 18" AR10 2676 fps...zippy, and bullets from 88 gr 30 mauser to 250 Atip....and accurate subs too.
powderbrake
Gold $$ Contributor
I have been using a Kestrel 5700 for several years while prairie dog hunting. It is mounted on an extendable post with the kestrel wind vane, and operating in the continuous capture mode. I place my iphone in a cradle which is parallel to the gun on my shooting bench,(same direction of fire). So all I have to do is range the dog with my Leica binoculars, enter the range on the iphone and touch DOF, and I have a solution for elevation and windage.
Remember the wind at the bench is the important wind, as its action on the trajectory continues for the full duration of flight, even if the wind changes at other places in the line of flight. You can always make adjustments to your windage or hold as necessary.
I have found it to be very helpful, and it allows those 600-700 yard shots a much better chance of connecting. Some day I hope to get a 1000 yard hit. I suggest it is a good investment.
Remember the wind at the bench is the important wind, as its action on the trajectory continues for the full duration of flight, even if the wind changes at other places in the line of flight. You can always make adjustments to your windage or hold as necessary.
I have found it to be very helpful, and it allows those 600-700 yard shots a much better chance of connecting. Some day I hope to get a 1000 yard hit. I suggest it is a good investment.
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