Wind adjustment

[Ycreek]

I'm a total newbie to long range shooting so I hope that this question (and future ones) don't make me sound too dumb. Last night I watched guys, on Youtube, shoot 800-1000 yards. I get the drop. How do they really know what the wind is doing? Is there a device for that or does this involve some guess work? Again, sorry for questions like this. I've never had to worry about such things in the duck blind.

 

[rick523]

Yes, you use hand held wind meter. Look up kestrel hand held weather station. There is a little more to it than that though reading mirage, between you and target, grass,brush etc. Wind is probably the biggest factor in shooting long range.

 

[Ycreek]

Thanks for that. I'm trying to choose between a BDC reticle or adjustable turrets. I don't know if I'm even using the right terminology there. I wondered about the device because if it finally boiled down to a guessing game, then why not do it with the reticle (if all else is constant). I'm seriously confused but I've never had such a good time scratching my head.

 

[Joe King]

Wind is a guesstimating game, there are things like hand held wind meters, range flags and with experience grasses, leaves, mirage, dust, ect. That will help you get a reading. But you have to keep in mind that what ever indicator you have is valid only at it's location, Don't get me wrong I feel (graduated) indicators are invaluable as they'll tell you what the wind is doing without a doubt you can then look at natural indicators and that way learn to read them as well. But there isn't any way to really get a 100% handle on the wind and eliminate it effects, it's just far to shifty for that.

 

[kcebcj]

I'm a total newbie to long range shooting so I hope that this question (and future ones) don't make me sound too dumb. Last night I watched guys, on Youtube, shoot 800-1000 yards. I get the drop. How do they really know what the wind is doing? Is there a device for that or does this involve some guess work? Again, sorry for questions like this. I've never had to worry about such things in the duck blind.

I find the quickest while hunting is to dial the elevation from a drop chart and hold off for wind using the reticle. Wind can change in a heartbeat and you can quickly adjust if you are not dialing

If you have a wind meter carry it with you all the time and learn the "feel" of a 10 mph wind or whatever and while using the meter see how the trees and brush around you is acting. I did that one whole summer and it amazed me how accurate I have got "guessing" the wind. I have a self imposed limit of 800 yards while hunting and also is my longest target that I practice at. The 800 yard target is down the canyon and on the far side of another canyon that runs 90 degrees to the one I shoot from. The wind can get very tricky but I have learned to look at the timber mainly, especially where the two canyons come together and just guess it based on what I learned while carrying the meter around. Even if you use a meter it does not tell you what is going on 400+ yards out so you should learn to "guess".

If you are looking for a good scope with a BDC reticle and a elevation turret in MOA check out the Vortex Viper HS Long Range.

 

[yobuck]

if your just starting then first things first. a wind meter would be down the list
of things you need. put it this way, there have been successful long range hunters for many decades. probably 10 years ago nobody had a windmeter.
fact is many still dont.
so get a good gun and a good load and a good scope. then go shoot.
soon you will be answering most of your own questions.

 

[rick523]

if your just starting then first things first. a wind meter would be down the list
of things you need. put it this way, there have been successful long range hunters for many decades. probably 10 years ago nobody had a windmeter.
fact is many still dont.
so get a good gun and a good load and a good scope. then go shoot.
soon you will be answering most of your own questions.

The ballistic programs were not available then either, does that mean they should be over looked? I think it is better to use technology that is available for quicker results. It's a lot more fun to hit what you are shooting at as you learn how to use the equipment. IMHO

 

[Joe King]

The ballistic programs were not available then either, does that mean they should be over looked? I think it is better to use technology that is available for quicker results. It's a lot more fun to hit what you are shooting at as you learn how to use the equipment. IMHO

yea it's a 2 sided coin, use the electronic tech now and likely never learn the old school method? or learn the old school methods 1st then use them to back up the electronic tech, and still have the possibility of getting it done when electronics let you down. One is fast and easy the other a lot of work (don't get me wrong, there is no easy to doing long range successfully), Myself I was taught before pda, smartphones laptops tablets, windmeters. Lazer range finders where new to the civilian market and damned expensive. It is fun to pull up a firing solution on my phone dial it up, call the wind and send it, to get a ding drifting back to you, but having two separate methods at my disposal does good things for my confidence.

 

[Ycreek]

Thanks to all of you for the responses. These are exactly the types of information that I was looking for. More dumb questions to come.