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Should have said demonstrates rather than uncovers.

I knew what 'ya meant. Just didn't want it misunderstood for anyone else that may be lookin'.

Good shootin' -Al

This thread, with the examples Al provided, has been an example of the educational value that brought me to this forum as a member originally. Advice and knowledge from those that regularly shoot and compete can save the rest of us a lot of frustration and components.

Thanks

I got my wind flags yesterday.

My reason for contributing to this thread was to help shooters and hunters understand and use wind indicators to maximize their results while minimizing time and components being wasted.

Cutting through all the details, there's truly only three things a shooter new to using using 'flags' (generic term) really needs to do:

1. Use at least two at 100 yards. Assuming a flat-ish range, one at 10 yds. and one at 60 yds. works. If the range has odd features (berms, etc), watch how the flags react when you move them around and place them accordingly.

2. When shooting your group, make sure the flags are angled the same for each shot.

3. You need some sort of 'tail' to indicate wind speed. Make sure this is the same for each shot.

And that's it.

If you do these things (#'s 2&3 can actually be condensed together), you'll get 90% of the way there. And you'll be 100% ahead of where you were without using flags.

I'd like to add that wind socks make excellent wind indicators. If you search on ebay under 'Aviation Wind Socks', look for the 80CM/31" ones..... $20 will get you a couple.

Good shootin' -Al

This afternoon at the range i could have used one of those Wyoming wind socks.

Might add Al if using the 10 and 60 set, if you have a spare tripod or adapt a music stand place a Bluetooth omnidirectional wind meter at the 10 then watch the flag and wind speed for awhile. While it won’t show direction it will give a good idea of tail position compared to wind speed. I called it calibrating the tail.

I would add that a piece of flagging tape, tacked to the top of a piece of 1" dowel, works well enough as a wind-flag that it beats the hell out of not using any flags at all. Have tested this quite a bit against more sophisticated flags.

The big problem is getting the dowel to stand up. Have sharpened the "bottom" end and tapped them into the ground on "softer" ranges, but unless the wind's really blowing a piece of thin plywood nailed to the bottom can also work as a stand.

For testing rimfires I use a target with multiple aiming points, and mark each with a number. I shoot at target #1 in X wind condition, target #2 in Y condition, etc. This saves considerable time, and works very well because rimfire barrels don't heat up like centerfires.

Take a North East shooter and put him in the Midwest and there is an adjustment period..

I know, I was one..

😁


Dang it MD you just had to point out the flaw didn’t you. 😁 Just an example of cheap and easy.
Personally I used that as a permanent set on my home range when I had one. Will point out that even some of the fancier expensive poles with spikes on the bottom had issues anchoring in the hard Nebraska clay when you had to extend them over the 100 yard berm when shooting at 200 and a couple of ranges over the 200 berm when shooting at 300. There were time when I would carry a small hammer with me down range to pound em in. Loaned it to others at times.

A couple 1/2" sections of rebar 3 1/2 ft long with flagging tape tied on is what I use. And I do carry a hammer to drive them in the ground......

Stopped in one of the local shops that sell instruments to schools. There was a box full of used music stands for $6.50 each

Might as well have some 'donor' stands to go with the next batch of 'donor' flags.

Good shootin' -Al

...

Well Al, I have some Delrin rod on the way to make some flags and stands but it’s been pushed back till I am done fighting hard carbon fouling in the throat of a Swift. It’s tough stuff.

I believe this is the answer the gentleman was looking for - but the wind flag information is priceless.

Multiple examples to this question are found on pages 8-9.

Good shootin' -Al

I love reading threads like this. They remind me how much I have to learn.