Fishtailing wind

[rybe390]

Hey all!

I had a chance today to shoot in my first real no wind scenario, out at Pawnee Sportsmens Center this morning.

This morning, the wind was blowing maybe 3mph, 5mph if it gusted, and it was coming from 5 o clock, alternating with 6 o clock. I was able to walk my grendel out from 400 to 1,000 and back a few times, shooting smaller targets as I went along.

For wind holds, I was looking at either center punching the target(this was scary, and unusual, and everything about it felt wrong), or adjusting ever so slightly, talking like .25 mil at 800 yards. If I was holding ever slight, and the wind shifted even a bit, I'd miss off the edge of the plate. Same thing with center hold, I'd miss barely edge of plate.

So, while not overly challenging wind conditions, how do you all cope with a light, fishtail wind? It seemed hard because it was either ZERO wind call, or something slight, but if you did either, it was enough to miss. I'm used to 15+ full value, so I'm fine holding 2+ mils of wind at distance, but today's condition messed with me a little bit!

That being said, humblebrag real quick(I know you guys don't care), I had first round hits from 400 to 900 on 16" plates for the first time in my life. So, that was neat.

 

[308pirate]

IME a light, fishtailing wind is one of the most frustrating conditions to shoot in. The most frustrating is a gusty, fishtailing wind.

Being able to pick one condition, being able to identify it and recognize it, then being quick on the trigger to capitalize is the only way to be somewhat successful.

Chasing the spotter, chasing the impact, dialing windage knobs are all ways to get behind the wind and stay behind.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

Light wind from your 6 area is not too demanding. Gives you an opportunity to check out your fundamentals at distances as you experienced. Also, a nice benchmark for the next time when it is a little bit more gnarly.

 

[MangoFett]

Being someone who has only about a dozen matches under his belt and doesn't have access to a place to practice past 200 yards I can confidently say switchy wind are the most frustrating thing for me to really dial in on and nail. For me what I have found is having a quality scope that is bright and clear is key so you can easily and under pressure see when it changes on you. There are many ranges I shoot at and when the wind switches you can't see because there's no grass or trees so you better have your magnification dialed appropriately looking for mirage. I came from using vortex and Burris glass and while that was good enough for me to get hits I never was able to see mirage like I can through the scope I have now. When you shoot, stay in your glass and if it's a miss then watch how the dust flies. Was it a good wind call but bad shot? Or was it a good hold but bad wind call? If it's a hit try to spot how the target moves so you can tell if you hit left side, right side, or center punched it.