COMPENSATING FOR WIND DRIFT

     This is about bench rest shooting cast bullets at current = 2014 accuracy levels.

     The wind moves the bullet and the bullet hole on the target-wind drift. The target shooter must compensate for wind drift to shoot better targets.

     There are three compensation tactics:

     The shooter facing no time limits can wait for no-wind = zero wind drift, and shoot only in no-wind. 

     The shooter facing time limits can identify a set of same-wind conditions =wind flag attitudes, and shoot only in those same conditions.

     If, as the time limit approaches and no-wind/same-wind conditions don't happen/enough; then varying-wind conditions happen and the shooter must hold-off for one or more shots. 

The rational accuracy-maximizing shooter facing no time limits will ALWAYS and ONLY use the no-wind tactic. The shooting match then becomes a test of patience, and many fail.
When that rational accuracy-maximizer faces time limits, he will use no-wind, then same-wind, then varying-wind tactics, in that order, as conditions allow and the time limit approaches. No-wind is easier and more accurate than same-wind is easier and more accurate than varying-wind.

(Note that the group match requires small groups while the score match requires small groups correctly centered. I think that group shooting is always easier than score shooting.) 

joeb33050 wrote on Feb 26^th, 2014 at 5:36am:


Personally, I find that same wind is much easier and more accurate than no wind.

I use three wind indicators: 1 at 10 yards, 1 at 70 yards, and 1 at 120 yards.  Even if all three of these indicators show a no-wind condition, there still may be some wind on the range.

However, if all three indicators show a same-wind condition, I believe that there is a higher probability of that condition being present at all (or at least most) distances.

Again, this is a personal belief - nothing more.

JackHughs       

    

I agree with Jack Hughes you experience more uncalled out shots in a presumably dead wind than one would with a consistent wind. What was so enjoyable in shooting the CBA format was the time limits, 10 minutes for score and 15 for group as there was very little opportunity to shoot just one condition if any and it was a shooters abilities game. To become and to remain competitive I had to learn how to shoot five different conditions with total confidence all though three would typically due. 10&15 minutes might seem like allot of time for some but when taking into consideration the time it takes seat a bullet, Re&De prime the case, dump the powder charge and to get back on the target would often leave one with a minute or two to spare or right down to the wire. Trying to throw in a couple of sighters for a change in conditions would cut the time even shorter. 

JLouis

Yes, wind is a legitimate excuse. 

    Joe.

The wind that bothers me the most is behind the fireing line

Not so much interference anymore. Most of the single shot compeititors just turn off their hearing aids now.

All those internal lubricants come under the heading of Group Tightener!

40 Rod

For wind downrange we compensate.

For wind behind the line, we decompensate.

de·com·pen·sate [dee-kom-puhn-seyt]  
verb (used without object), de·com·pen·sat·ed, de·com·pen·sat·ing.
Psychology . to lose the ability to maintain normal or appropriate psychological defenses, sometimes resulting in depression, anxiety, or delusions.

JackHughs

Some shooters are pickers.
Some shooters are runners.
Most shooters are BS'ers
Have fun.
Kurt