I was out today shooting 800yds and had 12-17mph gusting winds. I had the Kestrel weather vane on a tripod and linked to my phone. The wind call was changing 1.5-2mil every few seconds. I'd look at the latest, then get into my shooting sequence, but seems by the time I broke the shot, the wind and let up or died down. I was hitting waterline (ish) but damn, every shot was pretty much a fucking mystery how it would go. I can only think to tie some caution tape to the target stand and watch for the layoff. However, it's not like anything is going to have a piece of caution tape on it when hunting or during the apocalypse. Any pointers?
Shooting Variable Winds
- Thread starter Ronin22
- Start date
Here in SE Oklahoma, the winds are usually light (3-15), but will blow in every direction known to man and will change about every 30 seconds. It gets frustrating if you're trying to shoot groups at distance, but is also a fun test at the same time. Frequently though you become reactionary instead of proactive if you aren't putting as much concentration into reading wind as you are applying fundamentals.
And yeah, waving a Kestrel around when there is game downgrade is generally going to get you busted.
You'll probably get varying opinions here.
Best way *I* get around it without adding mechanical means (wind flags everywhere), is to go by feel as much as observation. If the grass/mirage is bending in the same direction and angle at the target as it was last time, but you can feel it differently on your face now...better account for that and start trying to discern at what range the change is no longer occurring.
I definitely put as much effort into checking wind as I do making sure my breathing and trigger application are as good as I can make them. Checking wind is done *for me* during that last breath in before exhaling and firing. If you build it into your process, it becomes more natural and less likely to be skipped.
Wind reading is an art. It takes time. I don't have it whipped, and I shoot a group or two several times per week off of the side of the house. Actually I still frequently get my ass kicked by it.
The dudes who shoot in 30 MPH Wyoming winds probably have a different approach.
SE MN here. Shoot in 0-35mph range to 1300 yards. When you figure it out let me know.
Most days it's a constant direction here. But then on days when it's wind from 6 to 12 to what we are shooting it can be pure luck.
Listen to the wind for gusts, how it feels on your body. Are little tell tales of gusts. That works well if the wind direction is consistently the same.
Most days it's a constant direction here. But then on days when it's wind from 6 to 12 to what we are shooting it can be pure luck.
Listen to the wind for gusts, how it feels on your body. Are little tell tales of gusts. That works well if the wind direction is consistently the same.
Also. The topic of wind and it's affect on external Ballistics is vast. More then I know and surely more then I want to type.
Here's a good read.
www.snipershide.com
And here's a rabbit hole.
Here's a good read.
Managing the Wind
Managing the wind for precision rifle shooters Follow Sniper's Hide and pick up the latest information on all things precision rifle-related.
www.snipershide.com
And here's a rabbit hole.
Former sniper here. This is a common problem -- that is, having 2 wind profiles that alternate back and forth. My answer is to work up corrections for both of them, then use the applicable correction.
My own ballistics calculator allows for multiple wind profiles so you can switch when the wind switches.
Typically I take wind at my location first, then wind at the halfway point if I can see it.
This guy is 100% correct. While you can use science to calculate the wind drift pretty exactly, the reading part requires feel. As a young sniper, I'd build a matrix of wind speeds versus ranges for my load. Then, I'd make my wind call, consult the matrix, and fire. Over time, you memorize the matrix and develop the feel.
My own ballistics calculator allows for multiple wind profiles so you can switch when the wind switches.
Typically I take wind at my location first, then wind at the halfway point if I can see it.
Similar threads
