Question on reading wind flags

[Peter Merriman]

Hi all,

My  question is, does the wind closest to the bench or  closest to the target have the greatest effect on the projectile over 500m?

Should I give more allowance for one or the other when attempting to read the conditions?

Peter

[Stuart Elliott]

Peter,
You need to take account of it all. But in general terms to answer your direct question, the same wind nearer the shooter will have more effect than the same wind nearer the target.
Many shooters disagree but it is simple maths really.

As a separate issue altogether if your particular load or tune gives good grouping at some distance like 200 or 300 but not good at 100 that is danger. It means the bullets are not yet completely stable for a time. They are in yaw state. Bullets in this state are very susceptible to wind push. Might group OK at 500 in calm but that never happens. Not for a match. So you want your loads and tune for long range to also shoot tight groups at 100 for example.

Stuart Elliott

[Les Fraser]

Hi Peter wind reading is a guesstimation at best, but the wind closest to you does most of the damage but you also need to consider your flag placement, Mirage if it is present and set up some indicators that give you a quick reference that it is there. if you look at the photo of our flag line at canberra then you will see BRT flags, I Ball similar devices and also ball and streamer.

All of these indicate wind or an effect on the bullet, you can try two methods and see if they work for you.

Method one: Take note of a condition and time it with a stop watch and see how long it lasts. Then when you take your position on the line you know you have 1-2 minutes of a condition that is stable - AND GET THE BEST SHOTS YOU CAN FIRE OFF in this time frame.

Second Method if it is blowing and not settling then one shot on the splash plate then two on the scoring target, repeat and the last sighter is one on the plate and one on the target. (i would not recommend this method until you get some practice in because it does require more concentration and i suppose guts to shoot like this because you are re aiming every third shot fired.

Just some suggestions
Les

[Peter Merriman]

Thanks Stuart & Les for your responses, being new to competition benchrest all information is very much appreciated

Peter