Reading the Wind

The Baron

The Baron

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I'm not very experienced at reading wind yet, but I'm practicing. It's hard to really learn the finer points with a gun that isn't capable of any better than 1/2 MOA, but I am trying.

Obviously (I assume?) a wind from the direct left or right will push the bullet off to the L or R. My question for you experienced wind dopers out there is... what is the general effect of a head wind or tail wind when shooting a .223 class rifle (50gr. bullets) out at 200m? How many wind flags would you put out for a 200m shoot, and where should they be placed?
 
Excellent info above so no use repeating. First off, you don't need a 1/2 MOA rifle to learn how to dope wind. Doesn't hurt but not critical. The key is that you and your rifle/load are consistent and repeatable.

To learn how to dope wind, you must "know" where you and the rifle/load will put the bullet in calm conditions. The wind/conditions causes it to go someplace else. With that level of confidence, a good scope/spoting scope, you can make observations on the conditions, what you think will happen, where you held off, and where the bullet actually landed.

If you can shoot MOA or even 1 1/2 MOA EVERY SINGLE TIME in calm conditions, then the goal is to do so under ALL conditions.

With careful note taking, you will build up a catalog of cause and effect from which to compare to for the next shot. In time, experience will speed up this process allowing you to drive the bullet where it needs to go.

Wind flags are a blessing and a curse - they also can lie! Use as many flags as you would in competition and/or in the field. I prefer to use ambient/geographical clues because wind flags at different ranges can offer differing info. In competition, you will not have time to learn what different flag signals mean without dropping way too many points.

Good luck - lots and lots of trigger time.
Jerry
 
Mystic has got alot of excellent points, especially consistancy, recording data.

When wind flags are not available watch the grasses and trees, mirrage in your scope can be a real good way to read the wind also. As you reach out over longer distances depending on where you are shooting, you will see differences in wind velocity and angle at different ranges, Jerry's spot in Summerland is a good example of that effect at the 1 mile mark where the two valleys sorta meet and as the day warms up.

What the winds are doing in close to you say 100yrds they may be moving in another direction and velocity at 1000yrds. Especially when shooting in areas that generate thermals or cross different terrain, water etc. This is where the taking of notes or experiance realy comes into play. When you do get it all figured you've mastered a great thing......I still have a lot to learn but every time I pull the trigger I learn a new lesson and thats what makes this sport so cool.:dancingbanana:
 
I will agree with Jerry that wind flags will lie. Wind flags come in different weights and if they get wet they are of little use. Flags above the bullet flight are of little use. This is where learning to read mirage is just as important as watching the flags. On some fullbore ranges you mights see 30 or more flags. You need to find the one that will give you the most information (direction change). Mirage and flags will let you see the velocity change, but pick one flag that will tell you about direction changes and stick with that one.
Flags that are down wind will only tell you history, you need to know what is coming to make a perfect. Although down wind flags may tell you why you missed the wind call, they do not tell you what you need to make the next shot count.
 
Thanks for all the info guys!

I usually just go to the range and hold the cross-hairs on the same spot and hope for no wind. :redface: Now that I have pet loads for all my rifles, I figured it's time to actually learn how to shoot small without relying on luck. I took my .222 out a while back and did a little wind doping and shot a 0.6" 5-shot group at 200 yards. I was actually pretty nervous on the 5th shot, as I could see I had a great group going. When #5 dropped into the cluster I was very proud.:D Maybe a fluke, but I know the gun can do .5's at 100 regularly with just a consistent hold, so I'm gonna get out there and try to beat my personal best - over and over, I hope. Can't believe I'll actually be looking for a breezy day to shoot, instead of grabbing my stuff and running whenever I see no wind in the morning.
 
If you can see mirage, that gives you a vector of both direction and streght. More reliable than flags.

Place flags on the up wind side. Stop shooting untill all the flags agree with each other after a wind change.
 
The Baron said:
is... what is the general effect of a head wind or tail wind when shooting a .223 class rifle (50gr. bullets) out at 200m?
Click to expand...

the wind will be a zero value... no windage compensation required. The bullet will be there in .2184 of a second anyway.
 
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