Shooting in the wind

[Kevin1990]

More like pissing in the wind, but I have some questions for you short range shooters out there. Still new to the bench game, so bare with my stupidity.

Today I had some switching winds. Head wind and then it switched to 3 O' clock. All I'm using for wind flags is some surveryer tape on some dowels.
I have 3 of those "flags" set up at 10 yards 50 yard
and about 95 yards.
I tried to pick a condition today and shoot in that condition, but it seems impossible because I was getting gusts as well as a constant wind.

Questions: let's say I've got a 8mph wind at 3oclock and I shot 3 shots in that condition, and then the wind picked up by 2mph or so while shooting the last 2 shots for the group. How much effect would that have on the target? Could I see .10in to .15in difference on target?

Will better wind flags help me read those conditions better? I know I squeezed the trigger at the wrong time on a few shots and it showed, but a couple seemed questionable. Almost making me wonder if I need to check seating depth. I'm shook, haha!

Thanks fellas

 

[jimmymac]

In short range group, wind intensity plays a big factor. If you start off shooting in a 3 to 9 wind at a given intensity then finish the group in a higher intensity wind of the same direction, your groups will suffer greatly unless you take a sighter or two to determine proper hold off to get the bullets to print in the same spot. Most of the time it is better to wait for the condition to come back to where you started at if you can. If you are running out of time and the condition you started in does not return, then you obviously have to finish your group. Take a sighter first if you are ever unsure.

 

[JEFFPPC]

When your standing around before the match, cleaning between relays keep at eye on conditions. You should have an idea before starting your score target of 2 conditions. As the match progresses... less bs....more watching flags. If your confused what condition to try pay attention to what a good shooter is looking for. As jimmymac said try to avoid shooting multiple conditions but have a clue on a secondary one.

 

[Bronsin]

Yes, getting some good quality wind flags would be the thing to do.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Better flags will help. The flag closets to the muzzle matters the most but what is even better is when your able to read all of them in a group together.

Like others mentioned I prefer to try to watch for 2 dominating wind conditions and shoot in those.

Sighters are very important to the big picture. But you also need sighters that you can trust so make sure and pay attention to the wind condition when you shoot your sighter.

I also prefer to run shots as fast as possible when my preferred wind condition shows up.

I used to shoot slow and try to wait for that condition to hold or come back and I always seem to do better running my shots.

 

[LHSmith]

Better flags are in order. You said 8 mph- how did you come up with that figure? I never try to attach an actual velocity value for SR BR. Instead I monitor the flags to shoot in a condition where the flags are in "like" position-or as close as condition warrants. For velocity I closely monitor the tail as to it's angle- 0* no wind, up to a full value wind -tails out 90*. Even though I use daisy type flags I rely on the tails for velocity. The daisy wheel ( front in one color, back in another) helps me to quickly identify a head vs. tail wind especially at distance. Shooting both eyes open is a must so you can monitor all the flags simultaneously in real time- yes it takes a lot of practice. FWIW I use sail tails in lieu of survey ribbon. They come in different weights and I use the heavier tails on days where winds are strong. Lastly there is little to be gained with a flag so close to the target.

 

[Kevin1990]

I came up with that figure from the app on my phone which is more likely than not insanely inaccurate. But I guess even if it was close and I was getting sustained gusts of a couple mph more than I guess my question still remains. I'll back the one flag up closest to the target going forward and look into some better flags as well.

 

[anschuter2013]

If you're shooting at 100 yards, any wind indicator whether it be surveyor ribbon or a real flag placed at 95 yards isn't going to be of any benefit at all. Common flag setting distances would be something on the order of 15, 35, 60 and 80 yards. I also prefer an additional "close" flag anywhere from 3-5 yards. My 2 cents.