Just beginning to get into PRS. Thinking about getting a Kestrel 5700 but am wondering if I need it at this stage. Not so much worried about being competitive as I want to do whatever I can to improve my ability to learn. Also, are there cheaper alternatives that are worthwhile?
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Kestrel?
- Thread starter MMH
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I shot PRS for 2 years using printed dope charts based on Density altitude and temperature out to 1500 in 25 yard increments. I just input my velocity into JBM with as much true dope as I could gather. At a match I'd just have to ask someone with a kestrel for the DA and temp every couple of stages and cross reference with my charts. Did i win any matches? Nope. Did I place top 5 in some local matches with 75+ shooters? yep.
It can be done and honestly it does help you learn and really pay attention and true your dope rather than simply relying on technology.
I have a Kestrel 5700 elite now and they are the cat's ass. Super fast and instant data but at a cost. You can certainly shoot a match or two and see how you like it before investing the money in a kestrel. Just keep good data when you do shoot.
Wind reading is the one thing they make a lot easier but if you have some wind dope in your charts and get a rough wind reading from another shooter you should be able to make an accurate guess to your wind hold.
It can be done and honestly it does help you learn and really pay attention and true your dope rather than simply relying on technology.
I have a Kestrel 5700 elite now and they are the cat's ass. Super fast and instant data but at a cost. You can certainly shoot a match or two and see how you like it before investing the money in a kestrel. Just keep good data when you do shoot.
Wind reading is the one thing they make a lot easier but if you have some wind dope in your charts and get a rough wind reading from another shooter you should be able to make an accurate guess to your wind hold.
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I have shot local matches for a couple years and haven’t felt like I absolutely needed one. I use BallisticsARC to get temp and it can usually be close with wind speed. For wind holds, I usually just use the MPH of the rifle to adjust and I am typically not off much. At this stage it’s probably better to learn how to read mirage and vegetation for wind speed and direction then get a kestrel a little down the road
Absolutely needed at this stage? Probably not. A good ballistics program on your phone that you have trued and verified your data out to 1000yds or more would be good. There are several out there, I started with Strelok Pro and a cheaper wind meter to input the values. After about 2 years, I did pick up a Kestrel and got it loaded with my rifle data and ensured it was trued as well. Now I keep both up to date and ensure the Kestrel and Strelok Pro give me the same output. I do this just to have a backup in case one goes down for some reason.
Learning to read wind at distance is all part of it and Frank has some great training videos in the training section on it that should get you going. The rest is just spending time at the range.
Next time you go to the range, spend a few sessions just looking through binos or a spotting scope and calling wind for your friends will teach you a lot.
Welcome to the addiction!!
Learning to read wind at distance is all part of it and Frank has some great training videos in the training section on it that should get you going. The rest is just spending time at the range.
Next time you go to the range, spend a few sessions just looking through binos or a spotting scope and calling wind for your friends will teach you a lot.
Welcome to the addiction!!
Sounds like the Kestrel can wait. I use JBM all the time & am going to get Strelok on my phone. Is there a decent wind meter that is not too pricey? I know that I need to learn how to read wind, but am thinking that some handheld device may help me do that.
Snag any that are in your price range off of Amazon. There are some that may work with bluetooth and Strelok if that is of interest. Otherwise, just grab one and plug it in and direction its coming from and remember, you are only measuring it where you are at, wind can do all kinds of things down range.
Will the standard blue Weatherflow work? The one they market for precision shooting is on backorder. Noticed that the precision shooting one has DA but I don't think that the standard one does. Is that a big deal, or will the ballistic app be able to provide the density altitude?
I agree ... but don't go cheap and realize the "Elite" is the one you need. I did, and regretted it when I hit the limit of available Gun Profiles. Also, for ELR distances, the Applied Ballistics are a "must have" (IMHO).
I got lucky and received a 5700 elite AB few years ago for free with a NF scope purchase. Ive always had one. Its very nice, but i would think starting out some of the phone apps are cool.
They are, but I feel like there's no substitute for acquiring actual atmospheric and wind readings. No matter how impressive they are ... the apps always require a "guess" on local conditions. Also, I prefer to leave the damn phone in the truck when I'm shooting.
Kestrel is nice because it gives precise data according to actual weather conditions and your not exposing your phone to rain, heat, dust and potential accidents.
I did exactly as RangeRoy posted above. Used Strelok Pro ( roughly $12) with the blue WeatherFlow meter. Bluetooth connection to phone and it transfers all the environmental data to the Strelok app. Easy, seamless. I did eventually get a Kestral because it's a little more convenient, but I don't think it does anything the Strelok/Weatherflow system doesn't do.
You obviously dont NEED a Kestrel. Ive always shot my load over my MS or LabRadar, input my data into JBM and trued at each distance out to 1000yd to build a dope card for my guns. Its always been spot on for me for as long as Ive been shooting. Resisted the Kestrel up until earlier this year.
It was hard to pass up when Doug @gr8fuldoug Cameraland was blowing out Kestrel 5700 Sportmans with Link for $250 so I bought one. Ended up doping the software upgrade to Elite AB and I now have a 5700 Elite AB with Link and love it. The key is knowing how to use it and I would highly suggest signing up for one of Kestrels free training Zoom classes. Great stuff for new Kestrel owners.
It was hard to pass up when Doug @gr8fuldoug Cameraland was blowing out Kestrel 5700 Sportmans with Link for $250 so I bought one. Ended up doping the software upgrade to Elite AB and I now have a 5700 Elite AB with Link and love it. The key is knowing how to use it and I would highly suggest signing up for one of Kestrels free training Zoom classes. Great stuff for new Kestrel owners.
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