UPDATE: Would you shoot in the rain AND 20-30MPH winds @600yds?

[JGorski]

Looks like the weather for our 600yd BR comp on sunday is going to be turning even worse than I thought, now on top of the rain, we're supposed to have 20-30mph winds out of the east, which would be a crosswind. I might show up, but that kinda wind just pisses me off and I doubt Ill be doing any shooting, dont think there will be many guys out there besides me, either. Who shoots in conditions like this? How much does the bullet get pulled in a 20mph wind? 30mph wind?

 

[Bevan]

You'd learn something.

 

[JGorski]

You'd learn something.

Indeed, Id learn what part of the berm my bullets are hitting, hahaha

 

[ORD]

You'd learn something.

BIG +1 on this!!

Look...yes, the conditions won't exactly be sunshine and roses, and you are likely to get wet along with your gear, BUT...its a chance: 1) to get out and shoot; 2) to do something you've not done before; and 3) most importantly, to learn something important about shooting in far from ideal conditions.

I say have at it and enjoy yourself!

 

[JGorski]

Can anyone direct me towards the wind tables for shooting in that kind of wind?

 

[ORD]

Can anyone direct me towards the wind tables for shooting in that kind of wind?

What cal/cartridge/bullet and ammo specs/etc.?

Here's a good online starting point if you don't have your own ballistics software/pda/smartphone app/etc.: JBM - Calculations



ETA: Just remember...garbage in, garbage out! Your results with JBM will only be as good as the data you input into the system. If you have to "best guess" anything or otherwise aren't sure of your specifics in terms of MV, bullet specs, etc., your results may be a good bit off. At a min though...that should help to "get you in the ballpark."

 

[JGorski]

Ive got one load with 42.2grs H4350 that should be about 3158fps, the RE17 would be about 100fps more. Ill take it from there, thanks.

 

[psinclair]

I'd rather shoot/compete in lousy conditions than perfect conditions, anytime.....equipment races blow.

 

[Daveworkslocal]

I'd rather shoot/compete in lousy conditions than perfect conditions, anytime.....equipment races blow.

+1

When I used to shoot our 1000yd comps with my 6.5 grendel and during the windy/nasty days I would learn far more about my wind calls and reading the flags than on days where the wind never kicked up. After a couple matches like that my groups on good days really started to improve and instead of target terrorizing on the windy ones I would be competitive. Granted the guys using 6.5x284's and the big magnums had the advantage but there is something to be said for shooting at the outter limits of a specific cartridge and really learning how to make the proper adjustments.

 

[leadbullet]

if I'd have to wait for the rain and wind to stop, I wouldn't be shooting much around here. gear dries up and wind is fun to beat.

 

[Hairball]

Look at the bright side, if no one else shows up to shoot, you will win the comp even if you don't hit the target.

 

[Bradu]

Can anyone direct me towards the wind tables for shooting in that kind of wind?

Try JBM for windage, should get you in the ballpark if you give it good info.
JBM - Calculations - Trajectory

 

[Whiskey 2-1]

20-30 mph winds aren't all that bad, especially full value. Just don't miss a let off. We've had that during quite a few matches at RiflesOnly. I think the strongest winds I've shoot in were in the mid 40s. Once at RO, the other time in MS during an near miss tropical storm. During the Rifles Only outing, we were holding a half mil or more behind a moving target when moving with the wind. Good times.

 

[chefcam864]

20-30 mph winds aren't all that bad, especially full value. Just don't miss a let off. We've had that during quite a few matches at RiflesOnly. I think the strongest winds I've shoot in were in the mid 40s. Once at RO, the other time in MS during an near miss tropical storm. During the Rifles Only outing, we were holding a half mil or more behind a moving target when moving with the wind. Good times.

I'm with you on this one! I've never shot in 20-30mph crosswinds, but if I had to I'd rather have a full value than a fishtailing wind, switching from 11:00-1:00 etc. Those winds are hell!

 

[kis2]

During the Rifles Only outing, we were holding a half mil or more behind a moving target when moving with the wind. Good times.

That's awesome!

We get the gusty, quartering winds around here. I'm not always out in the 20-30mph wind, but those cross values changing anywhere from 2mph to 10mph in between shots are tricky.

To the OP, I say go for it and have fun! miserable conditions make for memorable stories.

 

[JSF]

Thats a light breeze here.

 

[gstaylorg]

You should definitely give it a go. I personally don't mind shooting in a little rain and wind, but I'll admit I draw the line at having to lay in 4" of muddy water to shoot. Just not my idea of a good time for something I'm supposed to be doing for fun. If you do decide to shoot, try to pay careful attention to the high/low wind conditions. If possible, get a sighter off during each conditions so you'll have a better idea of the extremes. If it's steady, 25 mph isn't all that bad. We get full value 9:00 winds in the 15-25 mph range at Camp Pendleton Wilcox Range (600 yd) regularly. They're usually fairly steady, particularly later during the day (3rd Match), so you really just have to watch for the let-off and wait it out. The high value condition usually returns pretty quickly, so I shoot fast while it's running, wait during the let-offs, and finish the string as fast as I can. For your match, hopefully it will be reasonably steady, even if strong. If it's a rapidly shifting fishtailing wind, may God have mercy on your score (LOL). Good luck.

 

[RanchhandTCR]

ive shoot a thousand yards is 25-30 mph gust and a constant 19mpg and I had a wind drift of 5.2moa and thats with a 30-06. Id do it because its something you can learn from and if you make hits, got another "I walked to school 2 miles, and up hill both ways." story.

 

[Hardmix]

I think this is a no brainer, look at it as a opportunity learn something. I was shooting last weekend at 500 meters with a nice day 3-5 mph and then a small storm came through gusting to 20 mph with heavy rain. While others stopped I chose to shoot for the practice in the wind.

Hardmix

 

[M40_A1]

You'll place better if there are fewer shooters.
Anyone else shooting will have the same crappy conditions as you.
So, what's the problem?
It's all a learning experience. What an opportunity.

However, I might draw the line if the action were to get wet unless the match is a "big" one worth the extra hassle and potential water damage of gear.

Wind tables? Sure, 18mph is 3 x 6mph, 30mph is 3 x 10mph. Any table up to 10mph should do you fine.

 

[aur0ra145]

At this point in my competition career, it would probably only increase my scores. Yeah, I've got more 0X targets than all of my X scores combined...

 

[JGorski]

Looks like it might be nicer than thought, winds out of the east @12mph by 11AM, rain maybe moving away. 0 wind right now.
Interactive Futurecast - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

 

[dieselgeek]

I shot the Vortex match w/ 25-30mph winds. 2 days of it. 1200 yard impact w/ a 5.5 mil wind hold. (.260 140 bergers)

 

[Grasshopper308]

DUDE!!! Go! WHY?? Because when shit hits the fan and you need to feed you and your family or take down that threat. If all you're use to is perfect ideal conditions. SOL.

It's a great learning experience.

 

[dieselgeek]

Well, that and just going out and hitting what you know how to hit will never make you a better shooter.

 

[Firefour]

Did I miss it,,, what caliber, what bullet,, and how many times have you shot a 1k match?

 

[dieselgeek]

Did I miss it,,, what caliber, what bullet,, and how many times have you shot a 1k match?

Me?

.260 140g Berger Hybrids 2830fps

I've been shooting matches for a few years. I don't know exactly how many 1000k matches I've shot, but I shoot as many as I can. I've shot 6 this year that I can think of. Including one Yesterday I shot 1050.

 

[Firefour]

Actually, asking the original op who started the thread, (JGorski) never stated the caliber, bullet, unless I missed it. Thanks for the input though. I run a .260 also. 123 scenars, RL17, with a light wind, 142 sierra's H4350, with a windy day, like yesterday at the match. We have a 1k, 600 coming up at the end of the month.

 

[bward]

Most matches around the OK and TX area will have winds up around 20 mph, if not higher, at some point in the match. It will make you a much better shooter.

 

[Huckleberry75]

As bward said, if you wait to only shoot in perfect wind conditions, especially here in Oklahoma, you won't ever have to worry about burning out a barrel or needing many reloading components.

Go shoot it and get the practice.

 

[JGorski]

Actually, asking the original op who started the thread, (JGorski) never stated the caliber, bullet, unless I missed it. Thanks for the input though. I run a .260 also. 123 scenars, RL17, with a light wind, 142 sierra's H4350, with a windy day, like yesterday at the match. We have a 1k, 600 coming up at the end of the month.

6 Creed, 41.9grs RE17 & 42.2grs H4350 under 105HPBTs. Actually didnt have any rain, winds were not bad at the start, got worse as the day went on, got a best 5" group, with 4 of the 5 going 3.5", 1.5" vert. Definite east wind blowing bullets west, shooting north.

 

[JGorski]

No 1K matches yet.

 

[M40_A1]

6 Creed, 41.9grs RE17 & 42.2grs H4350 under 105HPBTs. Actually didnt have any rain, winds were not bad at the start, got worse as the day went on, got a best 5" group, with 4 of the 5 going 3.5", 1.5" vert. Definite east wind blowing bullets west, shooting north.

Not bad! Bet you're glad you did it. I don't know how many days I made alternate plans based on weather forecasts only to find I missed out on a perfect day.

 

[JGorski]

Not bad! Bet you're glad you did it. I don't know how many days I made alternate plans based on weather forecasts only to find I missed out on a perfect day.

I had my rainsuit, rain-proofed my boonie cap, was ready for anything mother nature had in store for us, Im really happy about the two 1.5" verts, going soon to buy some H4350, they have plenty.

 

[JoshcBoucher]

No.Wouldn't do it.

 

[2Shots]

Come and shoot a big match with me, I guarantee it will do one or the other or both!! Great if you can practice for an hour than go dry off, you can learn a lot! It's then you realize how much you have to learn, any decent long range guy can lay down and hit a 1k target on a nice day, or at least in a couple of shots! But in bad weather I don't care how experienced you are the adverse conditions will humble you. Glad you did it. And in my experience the rain doesn't really affect the bullet flight, the wind absolutely, the optics all fogged up yes, you lying in a pool of water sure, but the rain, not that much.