Wind Flags -

A

AussiFlyer

Guest
Hi guys,

With quite a bit of discussion recently re wind flags and bullet flight - I'd appreciate your advice/expertise please.

I have a set of (3) Northwind flags (they're terrific) and have of late - been involved in discussions covering the reading of our flags.

So - simple question...

Which flag is more important to watch - and/or has more impact to your hold-off POA and thus, the POI.

1) Is it the flag closest to you or the one down-range nearest to the target i.e. which is more important to watch ??

And - for the purpose of this discussion - I'll assume a constant wind at (say) 10kph from your 3 o'clock -

2) Is there more of an effect (change) to the flight of the bullet due to wind close to the firing point or is there more effect from wind further downrange.

Thanks

Cary
 
I believe there are too many variables to conclusively say the uprange or downrange flag is more or less valuable.

I think the variables present at any particular range may influence one or the other.

Things like adjacent trees or tree lines, the firing line construction, mid-range berms, a mountain behind the
target line, or a couple barns on either side of the range can all influence your flags and make some more
valuable than others.

Assuming a perfect scenario with no obstructions, I believe you'll end up at the ongoing debate that Doug
eludes to in his link.

But with all this said, the "answer", if there is one, is probably the same one offered in the other thread.

Shoot sighters and see what happens.
 
Additonal thoughts on wind flags

At best, a wind flag can probably only tell you what is happening within that one yard, or one meter, of space that it's occupying.

It's rare that I will get all my flags pointed in the same direction and showing the same intensity.
More common are flags pointed different directions showing different intensities.

I use 5 flags....i.e. 5 yards of measurement.

I sometimes wonder what's happening in the other 45 yards.
 
relationship

The Boyer and Vaughn books say closest to the muzzel has the greatest influence on the POI at the target. That is provided there are no terresterial effects on the wind. Buildings, berms, trees, etc can direct the wind in different ways than on an open field. In my experiments with a "Smart Flag" the relationship for three sensors with a PPC is: first 100, second 65, and third 42. With a rimfire at 50 yards and 5 sensors, it is: 100, 82, 67, 55, 45. These 2 examples do not match because of the great difference in exterior ballistics. PPC bc .26 @ 3400 and RF bc .14 @ 1050.
 
Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice and Doug for the link - makes interesting reading.

Like most - we have a berm on one side, open on the other, trees etc etc. The end result is wind all over the show and this moreso with the flags closest to the firing line which just makes it all the more confusing.

I guess bottom line is as suggested - I've got to experiment and work it out but without any consistency in the wind - it becomes at best - guesswork.

Either way - it's all part of the learning and to me - it's good fun

Thanks guys

Cary
 
AussiFlyer said:
Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice and Doug for the link - makes interesting reading.

Like most - we have a berm on one side, open on the other, trees etc etc. The end result is wind all over the show and this moreso with the flags closest to the firing line which just makes it all the more confusing.

I guess bottom line is as suggested - I've got to experiment and work it out but without any consistency in the wind - it becomes at best - guesswork.

Either way - it's all part of the learning and to me - it's good fun

Thanks guys

Cary
Click to expand...

I think the short answer is, He with the best memory wins. One must be able to remember the picture of the flag position to be able to consistently shoot well.

Any of the flag positions can be used by holding off but it is a lot more difficult to remember complex positions. I believe, in the beginning of trying to learn flag reading, one should try to remember two pictures, one on the left and one on the right. That will simplify things to some degree, IMHO.
 
Last edited:
Peter? , Were is your bolt ?? :)
When Peters memory is working, he is almost unbeatable .. Yes, the field of flags, not the ones in front of you will help greatly. But to answer your question, typically what ever yardage has the steadiest / strongest wind will move the bullet the most. Closer will have greater effect, but might not have as much effect as a steady wind the complete distance to the target. All I can say is practice with a few sets of flags and learn your rifle. It sure has helped me.
Andy B
 
So What Flags Affect the Bullet the Most?

"They are all important! In simple terms, if a bullet is deflected by wind it takes on a new direction. The longer the the bullet has to travel on that angle (hypotenuse), the bigger the "opposite" side of the triangle is, assuming that the the velosity of the bullet stays the same, which of course it does not."

Tony Boyer

The Book of Rifle Accuracy

p 286
 
The one thing I'd tell you is you don't have enough flags. I use 4 and thats rare, most use 6 and quite a few use 6 with 1 or 2 probes.
 
And another thing!

I have noticed over the years that the nearest flag often only affect the bullet flight if it turnd 90* to the bullet''s flight. One must be watching that first flag. Sometimes it doesn't affect a dern thing. The lighter the conditions, the more the first flag seems to affect the bullet from my experiences.

One of the best shooters in the Northeast uses two or three flags and two probes @ 100 yds. He doesn't seem to place any close to the bench.

Trying to figure out the angles is the toughest thing. Right angle pointing flags are the easiest to shoot with if one can dope the velocity. This is where some sort of a Wind Indicator comes in. I like to shoot in a push when it first starts if I can get it. If not, I use the wind indicators and do what the sighter tells me to do. Hope for straight in or straight out :)

There are no easy answers to those question because every range is unique and usually have a mind of their own.
 
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