Re: Reading the wind for beginners
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Topstrap</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If we could figure the wind out most of us would never miss a target. For three years now we've been studying the wind at our local 1000 yard range (Rayners) and think we're finally getting a bit of it figured out.
Some ranges have steady one direction winds which should be a lot easier to decipher using a wind meter or various flags placed along the course. Our particular range at some distances we shoot across 3 or 4 valleys, numerous tree lines, a stream and different switchback areas where the wind swirls.
Trees may be going one direction up close, another direction farther out with a different wind speed, then switch again and finally the flag near the target may be one direction but you'll hold off exactly opposite what you're thinking and miss by a couple minutes.
We've been studying and paying more attention to mirage and so far that has been our best indicator for more first round hits. Lots of range time and reading all you can and also paying attention to what the guys that are the top scorers are talking about when making a wind call.
Good luck
Topstrap</div></div>
Smart thinking and why there is a home court advantage.
Some folks over think the wind, and some folks learning about it expect there is more to it than what ever they've read about it. A long range competitor, like me, has it easy, shoot sighters, appraise wind, and hold for prevailing condition using the spotting scope to understand the prevailing condition. For EIC competition, where there are no sighters, it's important to get the wind right, right from the start, but with just a little practice it really is not difficult. Books on the matter, which are more than a few pages, are mostly accounts of problem solving. Any shooter who uses his brain will have his own book with plenty of accounts of problem solving by just getting out and learning what wind looks and feels like to be able to appraise its velocity and direction. Then, applying the velocity and direction to a formula to get a wind counter, a shooter can tackle a target at most any distance/condition the bullet can reach nose-on.