The wind factor

[Bottom Fodder]

I don’t think I ever been to match or talked to someone about a match that the wind was not brought up as a problem. It’s almost like you can bring the best “stuff” to the line but shooters that can make the right wind calls are going be the people in the winners circle.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

99.999% of the time, reading the wind correctly is the deciding factor. Especially in this day and age.

 

[Fairchaser]

As it should be. Wind reading skills require experience and that experience is cumulative. You really never “get there” completely. Most of us can look back at our targets and most points are lost to missing something in the conditions. The only way to get better is to shoot and practice. Sure, read books and talk to experienced wind callers too. It all helps. It’s the reason, it’s a lifelong pursuit. Enjoy the ride!

 

[Alguapo]

Ahhh Mariah. The lady has her own agenda.

 

[rardoin]

It’s not a problem, it is THE game!

 

[rjtfroggy]

I have a set of flags in the back of my truck, almost never take them out. The matches I shoot there are usually so many on the range it gets confusing, and I am still not 100% convinced that a fast moving 30 caliber bullet is moved that much by light and variable winds.
I don't win but that isn't why I'm there, I'm there for the joy of shooting, and seeing all the friends I've made enjoying this sport.
At 71 I'm too old to compete seriously. Life is getting shorter every day, so getting myself worked up over a piece of plywood doesn't seem worth it.

 

[jimmymac]

That’s awesome!

 

[Greg@wfcustom]

I don’t think I ever been to match or talked to someone about a match that the wind was not brought up as a problem. It’s almost like you can bring the best “stuff” to the line but shooters that can make the right wind calls are going be the people in the winners circle.

To quote the great American poet Bob Dylan
“The answer my friend is blowing in the wind”
I spend a OCD amount of time making sure everything is the best it can be, at the same time with the full realization that 99% of it is right in front of me on the flags.
It’s what we do we…..
G

 

[Sandstorm]

Let it blow my friend...let it blow.

 

[D-4297]

Someone once called the Great Ben Hogan a "Lucky" golfer . Hogans response was extremely proper , and appropriate . He said ; "The more I practice , the Luckier I get"! Any questions ?

 

[jackieschmidt]

As a Short Range Group and Score Shooter, I think having a great Rifle that is in tune is just as important.

When I look at targets on the “wailing wall”, And hear shooters say, “I missed that”, when the reality is their their Rifle simply isn’t working.

You can’t shoot sub .200 Aggs with a .300+ Rifle.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Someone once called the Great Ben Hogan a "Lucky" golfer . Hogans response was extremely proper , and appropriate . He said ; "The more I practice , the Luckier I get"! Any questions ?

I heard this one the other day:
Everybody‘s got a plan till I hit em in the mouth; Mike Tyson.

 

[jimmymac]

As a Short Range Group and Score Shooter, I think having a great Rifle that is in tune is just as important.

When I look at targets on the “wailing wall”, And hear shooters say, “I missed that”, when the reality is their their Rifle simply isn’t working.

You can’t shoot sub .200 Aggs with a .300+ Rifle.

Agree 100%. Put lipstick on a pig and it’s still a pig. The rifle has to be up to the task where about the only variable left is proper condition reading and the ability to know what to do with the condition.

 

[Acyr]

I've left more than a few matches saying, "I can't blame the gun for that crappy score."

 

[Fast14riot]

Dennis Conner always said "no excuse to lose" meaning that an equipment failure was a preparation, planning and crew failure.

I don't shoot BR of any flavor, but I absolutely hate shooting in light to no winds. Get the flags half hard or more and I will shoot so much better!

 

[Jager]

The beautiful thing about benchrest is that it demands excellence in everything. Top notch rifle. Top notch load. Top notch bench setup. Top notch bench manners. Top notch wind reads.

Top notch everything. Because everything matters.

 

[jpjulian]

the flags can be your friend, or they can be like a Garmin GPS and lie through their teeth. Mirage can be more reliable and can verify or refute what the flags are telling you.

Never shoot in a boil.......

 

[jimmymac]

Yes I’ve heard that but if you never shoot in a boil, you’ll never learn how to shoot in a boil…So you might as well shoot in a boil.

I've done it plenty of times with the results generally being not good. That said, if bubbly mirage is all that's out there, the other guys up and down the line are dealing with it too, so then it comes back to who can handle it best. A flowing mirage is a a different story. I'll shoot that condition over the bubbly mirage every day of the week including Sunday.

 

[jimmymac]

@jimmymac
When I was younger I was a member, now that I’m older I just roll with the flow and enjoy the day.

Good stuff. I'm in a place where my give a shit is about gone as well. I'm sipping on a coffee and the first sip this morning may have been the best sip of my life. I'm looking at a lot of things this way. Go with the flow!

 

[Fuj]

Jimmy....You missed out on Tom's chili at the last match. It gives
a whole new meaning about wind !! LOL