Windflags at Prone Matches

matchguy · Post by **matchguy** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:33 am

My experience is HP Match and never been to a smallbore prone match. Do they allow or have wind flags at most smallbore prone matches? How about Camp Perry? Some HP Matches I've attended have them and some don't.

Thanks

David Levene · Post by **David Levene** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:49 am

The following is from the ISSF Rules

6.3.7 Wind Flags for 300m and 50m Rifle and 50m Pistol Ranges
6.3.7.1 Private wind indicators are prohibited.
6.3.7.1.1 Wind flags are not permitted for 50m Running Target.
6.3.7.2 Rectangular wind flags, which indicate air movements on the
range, should be made of cotton type or polyester material
weighing approximately 150 g/m². They must be placed as close to the bullets‟ flight path as possible without interfering with the
bullets‟ flight or the shooter‟s view of the target. The color of the
wind flags must be in contrast to the background. Dual color or
striped wind flags are permitted and recommended.
6.3.7.2.1 Wind Flags
Ranges--------------------Distances---------------Size of Flag
50m Ranges------------10m and 30m---------50 mm x 400 mm
300m Ranges---------------50m----------------50 mm x 400 mm
-------------------------100m and 200m-------200 mm x 750 mm
6.3.7.3 On 50m ranges (rifle and pistol), wind flags are to be placed at
distances from the firing line, on the imaginary lines separating
each firing point and its corresponding target from the adjacent
any safety baffles.
6.3.7.3.1 If a 50m range is also used as a 10m enclosed range the 10m
wind flags must be placed far enough down range so that they
give an indication of the wind.
6.3.7.4 On 300m ranges, wind flags are to be placed at the above
distances from the firing line on the imaginary lines separating
every fourth (4th) firing point and its corresponding target from the
next point and target. Flags must be placed on the shooter‟s side
of any safety baffles.
6.3.7.5 Shooters must check that the wind flags are not and will not be
obscuring their targets. This check must be done before the
preparation time starts.

Eric U · Post by **Eric U** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:59 am

For NRA matches, they do put out some wind flags between the firing line and the targets. You can also use a personal "windmill" and other firing line wind indicators. As David, said, it is much more controlled in USA Shooting and ISSF matches.

Eric U

Soupy44 · Post by **Soupy44** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:43 pm

This depends on the range. Some put out flags, others don't. But you can have your own wind reading device just in front of the firing line for NRA matches.

rayjay · Post by **rayjay** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 6:57 pm

I got one of our club's smallbore competitors to come to one of our rimfire BR matches. At the end of the match she said that the smallbore guys "don't have any idea what the wind is doing" because they don't have flags. Our range has very bad wind characteristics. Even at 50 yds it's common for all 4 flags to be showing totally different wind speed and direction.

Freepistol · Post by **Freepistol** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:32 pm

rayjay wrote:I got one of our club's smallbore competitors to come to one of our rimfire BR matches. At the end of the match she said that the smallbore guys "don't have any idea what the wind is doing" because they don't have flags. Our range has very bad wind characteristics. Even at 50 yds it's common for all 4 flags to be showing totally different wind speed and direction.

Many years ago we were walking down range to change our 100 yd. SB targets during a particular windy stage. The swirling winds between 40 & 80 yds. caused me to comment that I didn't know how we were even keeping the bullets in the black! I think it was a blessing that there were no wind flags there.

This past Saturday we had an informal Savage shoot on the Mainville, PA benchrest range. We capped it off taking turns shooting at a one inch orange dot @ 300 yds for prizes. The president of the club was there and commented that he didn't know how we could hit it without range flags. Two shots were the most we took before getting a winner from the 12-14 shooters.

matchguy · Post by **matchguy** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:35 pm

Do they have wind flag at Camp Perry? If so, what type and where do they position them?

Thanks

1813benny · Post by **1813benny** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:20 pm

They typically put flags at a out 40 and 70 yards.

dlinden · Post by **dlinden** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:49 am

Well.....yes and no. I have been to Perry the last two years only. The first year, some points had "flags" and some didn't. The strips of material were so frayed on some that they stuck on the rough wood surface of the pole and didn't move. After complaints, last year the "flags" were upgraded so each point had one. However, someone decided to use two strips of plastic tape for each device. As a result, the two strips acted like a helicopter and typically spun around in circles or were deflected enough so that each one pointed in a different direction. A system that is unique if not very effective.

Dennis

Freepistol · Post by **Freepistol** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 3:22 pm

It's important to learn how to read mirage, the grass, and the dust drifting by the target. I had a small weed right in front of my 100 yard lower bull that gave great indications on metallic sight day. Next day, the wind was from the back of the target and the weed was just about useless.