Litz's article/reading the wind

[Bloodman14]

In response to the thread by 45 2.1 concerning long range ballistics, how does one go about 'reading' the wind? I must admit that particular ability defies me.

[ButterNutZ]

Experience in the field. Get an anemometer and practice guessing the wind, then look at the anemometer and see how close you are. After some time you'll get the hang of it.

[Tatume]

The ability to read wind well comes with long experience and observation. Probably the best place to get the experience is High Power Rifle competition on a full-sized range (200 - 600 or 1000 yards). One observes trees, leaves, grass, smoke, even mirage on a warm day. Conditions usually vary between the shooter and the target, so a wind in one location may partially cancel the wind effect in another place. In competition, one has the advantage of being able to observe the shots of others. One also pays close attention to the conditions at the time of his own shot, compares the observation to the result, and adjusts accordingly. Discussions with willing, experience shooters while at the competition are very valuable. Keeping a log of every shot fired is also worthwhile.

All this pays off when one has a single shot to make, and has the experience to judge how much effect the wind will have on the point of impact.

[45 2.1]

Easy........ 300 yard range along with a bunch of surveyors tape wind flags. Take a very accurate scoped 22 LR, sight-in in a dead still condition and then try shooting in various wind conditions at a large cardboard target wide enough to catch the strong wind deflected shots. The drift will show what happens. You get good enough, try a flat topped post on a military rifle and you will find you can judge the impact laterally fairly easily by using the correct spot on the post top for specific winds. While you're using those cheap tape wind flags, note the natural wind indicators ( trees, grass, weeds, heat boil, etc.). It just takes some practice.

[Baja_Traveler]

It's what separates the winners from the losers in a BPCR Buffalo match. The experienced spotters can call out specific minutes of sight adjustment solely based on reading the flags, blowing leaves and mirage. It takes alot of practice and experience, and I'm not quite there yet...

[DRNurse1]

Still another reason to stick with 230grain pistol projectiles at 50 yards! The art of the rifle is truly that.

[M-Tecs]

Some good basics here:
http://www.6mmbr.com/windreading.html
http://southtexasshooting.org/multimedia/text/mirage.html
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011/12/bernosky-tubb-and-whidden-explain-how-to-read-the-wind/
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/12/wind-reading-tips-for-f-class-and-long-range-shooting/
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/10/good-resource-the-wind-book-for-rifle-shooters/
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/05/wind-reading-resources-from-jarheadtops-m-sgt-jim-owens/

A google search for wind reading will give you lots of info.

[Digital Dan]

Wind read is an acquired skill. As Larry G pointed out to me some time back, reading wind in the hills is a bit different than here in the flatlands where my analytical processes used to be 2 dimensional.

The biggest influence comes from wind vectors at the muzzle. Sensing what you felt on the shot is useful if you have the time to wait for the same presentation on the next shot. I'm a hunter more than a paper puncher. Wind flags are great for the range but you need to learn to read wind indicators in the field otherwise.

I recommend Cody, WY in the spring and early summer for lessons on reading fresh brisk wind.*


*yes, I'm being mildly sarcastic. :-)

[RedHawk357Mag]

This may help out.93017

[35 shooter]

RedHawk thanks for that post. I used to have a chart like that memorized but knew i had forgotten some of it. Very useful info for field use to know what wind speeds have on leaves trees and grass for any kind of distance shooting. Thanks again, i'm copying it down or i'll forget some of it again.

[btroj]

How do you learn? By putting lots of rounds downrange and making accurate observations.

It is a skill that some can really master and others just never get. It separates the men from the boys.

45.1 and his recommendation of using a 22 LR at long range makes sense. The bullet will be heavily affected by the wind and this will give you a great idea of how the wind makes the bullet move.