How much wind does it take?

[Timeout]

This resource would be helpful in your quest to learn shooting in the wind: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...book-by-linda-k-miller-and-keith-a-cunningham
In the book there are varying opinions as to whether wind close to the shooter or farther out near the target has the greater affect on moving the bullet. Among several accomplished shooters, the larger percentage is of the belief that wind closest to the shooter has the greatest affect on actual POI.

 

[Canhunter35]

It's very debatable but since wind flags aren't convenient when I'm hunting, I always think the wind where I am has the greatest effect. I don't know what the wind is like anywhere else lol

 

[Snyper708]

I always think the wind where I am has the greatest effect.

The bullet won't be affected by the wind where you are.
It's only there for a nanosecond.

It will be affected most by winds between you and the target.
The farther and slower it goes, the more it will be affected.

 

[Timeout]

The bullet won't be affected by the wind where you are.
It's only there for a nanosecond.

It will be affected most by winds between you and the target.
The farther and slower it goes, the more it will be affected.

There are a bunch of top competitive shooters that would disagree with that.

 

[Snyper708]

There are a bunch of top competitive shooters that would disagree with that.

I'm not surprised.
There are a lot that disagree over everything.
They still use wind flags along the entire range though.

 

[Buck Buster]

Yeah I can see it causing alot of effect. If it blows it off 1 moa to 100 then your shot will be off 1 moa at 500 as well. But, it should be off 1 moa at all distances. I think the effect the wind is really subject to where the wind is. the way I've been taught is that the wind halfway to the target and further will have more effect then wind halfway and closer. That first 100 yards the bullet is bucking wind pretty well because its moving around 3000 fps.

 

[Buck Buster]

Yeah I can see it causing alot of effect. If it blows it off 1 moa to 100 then your shot will be off 1 moa at 500 as well. But, it should be off 1 moa at all distances. I think the effect the wind is really subject to where the wind is. the way I've been taught is that the wind halfway to the target and further will have more effect then wind halfway and closer. That first 100 yards the bullet is bucking wind pretty well because its moving around 3000 fps.

#20 was an accidental discharge!! Ha, Ha, Ha. Both scenarios are right, It does not take as much effect from the wind at close range to throw it way off down range. The wind will not move a bullet at close range as easily as it will at the longer ranges when the bullet begins to slow down but at close range it is more critical. It's like moving your gun barrel, it might not be off much at 100 yards but it will be farther and farther off as it gets to the different yardages down range. But 86 said he was on at all yardages out to I assumed 400 yards, I would think that he should still see the hit at 500 if he was right on at 400. The close wind theory would not make it change this way, you would have seen it tracking off at each yardage. It sounds like there may have been a heavy unseen gust of wind. I would think that a good sized target was used, if not that could also be why the hit wasn't seen.

 

[86alaskan]

I was using a 12in circle steel to shoot at. At 400 yards my dope was dead on and I was ringing a 3in disc with ease. The difference between the 400 and 500 positions was about a 100 yd opening in the trees along the bottom edge of the field. This is where the cross wind was allowed to cut through at full value and speed. I'd have to say that the 8mph in that first 100yds really blew me off target. The rifle, dope, and position had been proven numerous times before, that's why I was so dump founded when I couldn't make a connection. The rifle will hold .5moa at 500.

 

[Canhunter35]

The bullet won't be affected by the wind where you are.
It's only there for a nanosecond.

It will be affected most by winds between you and the target.
The farther and slower it goes, the more it will be affected.

Pls read my post carefully, I'm stating without our flags it's difficult to know the wind between you and the target, often you have to assume it's the same as your position...that's why I stated the wind at the shooters position is the most important because often it's the only wind you can dope.

 

[Canhunter35]

I was using a 12in circle steel to shoot at. At 400 yards my dope was dead on and I was ringing a 3in disc with ease. The difference between the 400 and 500 positions was about a 100 yd opening in the trees along the bottom edge of the field. This is where the cross wind was allowed to cut through at full value and speed. I'd have to say that the 8mph in that first 100yds really blew me off target. The rifle, dope, and position had been proven numerous times before, that's why I was so dump founded when I couldn't make a connection. The rifle will hold .5moa at 500.

Regardless of whether wind has more effect close or far(I think it's equal) but this proves that close wind definitely has a measurable affect upon a bullets flight

 

[Pdvdh]

Wind near the muzzle affects bullet POI down range more than wind further down range.
The crosswind from 0-50yds will affect the POI at 500 more than the same crosswind will from 450-500yds.
Once the direction of flight has been shifted, it continues on that altered course of flight for the rest of its flight path. Which means the POI shift continues to expand from the 50yd range all the way out to your 500yd target.
On the other hand, if the crosswind exists solely from 450-500yds, it can only drift the bullet over its last 50yds of flight.
That's how I see it.

 

[Buck Buster]

Wind near the muzzle affects bullet POI down range more than wind further down range.
The crosswind from 0-50yds will affect the POI at 500 more than the same crosswind will from 450-500yds.
Once the direction of flight has been shifted, it continues on that altered course of flight for the rest of its flight path. Which means the POI shift continues to expand from the 50yd range all the way out to your 500yd target.
On the other hand, if the crosswind exists solely from 450-500yds, it can only drift the bullet over its last 50yds of flight.
That's how I see it.

Right on!!

 

[dsculley]

86alaskan, to answer your question any wind that your bullet travels through will affect where the bullet impacts. To paraphrase someone else "If it weren't for the wind anyone could be a marksman!". The only way to get good at shooting in the wind is to, well, shoot in the wind. Get a notebook, take good notes about your wind estimate, take a swag and shoot. Hit or miss? Record it. If necessary, make adjustments and shoot again. Follow up shots need to happen quickly though, or the conditions (wind) may change. Sounds like you are on private land so no reason you can't put wind indicators along your range for a good visual of what the wind is doing. Learn to read the wind without flags and ribbons, then use them to verify what you see in leaves, grass, mirage, etc. By the way, shooting in a nice rain shower or snow fall is a really good time to learn how to read the wind. As long as you can see the target you can hit it and the rain/snow will show you exactly what the rain is doing all the way to the target.

FWIW

 

[Buck Buster]

86alaskan, to answer your question any wind that your bullet travels through will affect where the bullet impacts. To paraphrase someone else "If it weren't for the wind anyone could be a marksman!". The only way to get good at shooting in the wind is to, well, shoot in the wind. Get a notebook, take good notes about your wind estimate, take a swag and shoot. Hit or miss? Record it. If necessary, make adjustments and shoot again. Follow up shots need to happen quickly though, or the conditions (wind) may change. Sounds like you are on private land so no reason you can't put wind indicators along your range for a good visual of what the wind is doing. Learn to read the wind without flags and ribbons, then use them to verify what you see in leaves, grass, mirage, etc. By the way, shooting in a nice rain shower or snow fall is a really good time to learn how to read the wind. As long as you can see the target you can hit it and the rain/snow will show you exactly what the rain is doing all the way to the target.

FWIW

Sometimes its nice to have a spotter.