Jon,
the one time I shot a match at Modesto, the wind was strong but steady, very steady. There were a lot of sock style flags being used that weekend. I would estimate ninety percent. That was 2002-3? They were the best style flag for that steady wind.
Bev Pinney has been using the sock style for years. They are very good in steady wind.
In switchy winds like Cody Wyoming, Springfield Oregon, Spokane Washington, Butte Montana, Salt Lake City, Grand Junction Colorado, Tacoma Washington, Fort Lewis Washington, Capital City Rifle Range in Washington, Raton New Mexico, Chilliwack Canada, Vancouver Island, Glasgow Montana, Puyallup Washington, Naches Washington, Etna Green, Hamilton Montana, Sherwood Oregon, Golden Colorado, Fort Collins Colorado, Wenatchee Washington etc.etc. I think the daisy wheel flags with a tail are much better. There is no long tail to get fouled around the flag support. The daisy wheel style seems to respond faster than a sock. I've shot matches at all these locations, and more. Bench rest and offhand as well as other shooting disciplines. If I shot all my matches at Modesto, and if the winds tend to be very steady as was my observation in the past I would most certainly recommend the sock style flags. I hope this post has helped you Jon. By the way, the best SS BR shooter in the country, my good friend Tommy Mason, uses daisy wheels. Tommy also has much experience at ranges all over this country and Canada.
Good shooting, Joe.