TargetTalk

On an other forum I read of a gentleman making notes of the wind and making notes of the windmovement, speed etc. using the notes to determine the most vafourable situation to shoot.
Does anyone have a routine, scheme, sumbols etc. to make notes of wind direction and speed (for smallbore 50m and 100m) and how to use the notes to determine the best moment/situation to shoot?
Thanks,

Albert B
(The Netherlands)

There are, I seem to recall, wind charts available plotting affects from various angles / directions. I believe however all you are allowed in ISSF rules is wind flags (i.e. you can't use an annemometer <sp?> ). Presumably if the wind is gusty, the best time to shoot is when the flags are stillest (?)

Rob.

Rob, Thanks.
I am familiar with the effects of wind and the POI. I am looking for a neat and quick way to put on paper, in the form of symbols, the wind direction and strength over a period of time so to analyse what situation is occuring most often so I can then determine the best periods to shoot. All of this of course before the start of a match.
Here in Holland we often use the standard size ISSF windflags but made of the type of tape (red/white) used for fencing dangerous aera.

Albert B.

Interesting topic for this forum where most "wind" is of the odiferous form for 10M shooting.

I also shoot field target which is an outdoor 10 to 55 yard sport and wind is a very important factor especially when shooting beyond about 30 yards. The best way to "read" the wind is simply to shoot in windy conditions as much as possible -- rather than say, "it's too windy to shoot" use that as a wind-day for training.

In field target, you can use an anemometer but frankly they are useless -- the wind varies so rapidly in direction and strength that most tools are of limited value. FT shooters often use a tuft of string attached near the muzzle and that can be useful.

Personally, I use my face for my wind-speed measurement. I find that if I can feel the wind at all, it is about 1-2mph. My mental calibration then adjusts the aim point to compensate.

Our target is a hole, not a graded paper. Thus, any target going through a 1" hole anywhere gets the same score -- hitting in the center does not give you extra points. If you aim to hit just inside of the windward side of the hole, that is a simple way to guess the wind in many cases. When you decide you need more correction and have to aim outside of the hole, then using mildot or similar reticles is useful since the relative deflection is similar and independent of distance (or so you hope).

For shorter distances (10 to 25 yards), you rarely have to compensate for the wind unless it is blowing at least 5mph. The aim-for-the-windward technique is useful for shoter distances and is often all one needs.

On relatively rare days, the wind is strong enough fore-and-aft to require a bit of correction for vertical POI. If the wind is blowing toward you, aim a bit higher (just inside the circle, again?). If the wind is from behind, a bit lower aim point.

For FT, shooting in the wind is the norm and if one does not actively practice in windy conditions, they are at a huge disadvantage. Get out and shoot at every opportunity (short of hurricanes, at least).

Best,

Joe McDaniel
DIFTA Match Director

The national weather service uses symbols to indicate wind speed & direction - that might be a standard symbol to use, although it might not be fine enough to indicate the wind speeds & nuances you see at a range (such as swirl). At this point, you probably want to use whatever system is easiest for you yourself to interpret - which may mean making up your own. Right brain versus left brain - the important thing is, can you go back to these charts or narrations and figure out the wind trends to look for, the next time you are at that range.

I imagine that you're looking for a couple of predominant conditions to shoot thru, but also remember that these will probably change during the course of the match. At that point, you will be in the middle of shooting, and won't be charting the wind with anything other than your brain. :^)