F T/R Competition shooting in the wind ??

[cornhusker]

Our range is 250 yards for the f class shoots....Any good suggestions for shooting practice
on these windy days..two calibers-223 and 6mmbr...I need the practice and was wondering if
a wind flag would be of much help for this distance..I am thinking a stake in the ground and a
piece of ribbon or whatever...Thanks for any advice you pro's might have to offer.....

 

[Mod Adahy]

There are flags available for just the situation. They are based on wind velocity and are normally colored different on each side. Here is what I have used in the past.

http://www.brflags.com/

 

[cdparker]

Cornhusker-The only way to learn to shoot in the wind is to do it. Your idea of using a stake with a piece of ribbon on it will work just fine for practice. Set two out at each distance from your firing point. Set them at a distance just a wee ahead of your firing point to where you can see them easily, another set about 1/3rd of the way down and a third set just a bit short of your target. Give yourself at least a 75' spread on each side of your shooting lane. You can then see the incoming wind and the wind that was. Watch them carefully while you are shooting. You should determine which is the most reliable indicator of what the wind is actually doing to your shot. This will involve a lot more practice and study-but you will learn. Remember that the wind that is coming is what is pushing on your bullet and the closer to the firing line that the wind pushes on your bullet, the greater the angle of deflection it will push it off line. The cartridges that you are using will have a tendency to "shoot through" the wind, so your gun must be very accurate and every shot must be perfectly fired. If you can, get a .22lr prone gun and shoot it at 200 yards. Use it as a learning tool. You will get a real lesson in shooting in the wind. Once you master that, the center fire will seem a lot easier.
HTH

 

[RStewart]

Cornhusker-The only way to learn to shoot in the wind is to do it. Your idea of using a stake with a piece of ribbon on it will work just fine for practice. Set two out at each distance from your firing point. Set them at a distance just a wee ahead of your firing point to where you can see them easily, another set about 1/3rd of the way down and a third set just a bit short of your target. Give yourself at least a 75' spread on each side of your shooting lane. You can then see the incoming wind and the wind that was. Watch them carefully while you are shooting. You should determine which is the most reliable indicator of what the wind is actually doing to your shot. This will involve a lot more practice and study-but you will learn. Remember that the wind that is coming is what is pushing on your bullet and the closer to the firing line that the wind pushes on your bullet, the greater the angle of deflection it will push it off line. The cartridges that you are using will have a tendency to "shoot through" the wind, so your gun must be very accurate and every shot must be perfectly fired. If you can, get a .22lr prone gun and shoot it at 200 yards. Use it as a learning tool. You will get a real lesson in shooting in the wind. Once you master that, the center fire will seem a lot easier.
HTH

Great advice. And as a FTR .223 shooter, I recommend practicing with the wind as much as possible. Calm conditions will only tell you how accurate you and the rifle are....the wind will teach you observation and patience.
Rick