All you FT gurus, how do you set up a "range tape" when it's windy all the time?

Ed, set up some wind flags every ten yards. I use plastic shopping bags cut into two inch strips. This should give you an indication of what the wind is doing along your pellets flight path. If you pay attention you will notice that the wind moves along the terrain, and with that leaves clean air behind it. Learning to shoot into/with the clean air is key when sighting in.

Also if you know your gun's scope is centered at 18yds, then take the opportunity to read what the wind is doing with your pellet outdoors. This is also considering you are using the wind flags, Don't only look for how far you have to hold off, but also how much the pellet moves up, or down for the given range you are shooting at. This will help you identify what the wind is doing during your match and allow you to adjust accordingly.

John

its windy where i live too. Try a different time of day. its pretty calm here in the morning but it always picks up about 3 or 4 pm.

I don't want to sound like a wise guy but the short answer is, "you guess". Seriously thought, you do the best you can and go with it. Then you recheck and redo until you are comfortable with your settings. Even then you verify them pretty much every time you shoot and adjust as needed. It is not a set and forget thing, it is a continuing process. Some guns don't change much over time and if you have one of them you are fortunate, but you still should recheck an of course adjust as needed.
it's just not a one and done world. Sorry!
Good luck,
Rick

Naturally plan a year ahead giving yourself the full lowest wind month to get it done the dont change a thing. Sure that'll work along with the best laid plans.
Really tho nightime is often best in many loactions. If you cant rig up lighting the entire range you'll have to light a stationary target then move yourself back but it's fun shooting in the dark, really.
In the list of top 100 FT excuses "I just changed scopes" is right up there and somehow a true story, amazing how m,any times we'll have to change something JUST before a match after having everything just so. Good clean fun.

When you get that "system" for high swirly gusting intermittent wind range marker making down Please share!


For newbies, naturally just marking "range" wind doesn't matter a bit. And in theory you can mark distance on your A/O or sidewheel without even a rifle then simply drop all the appropriate numbers in chairgun or such and be shooting, but verifying poa/poi with any wind can be a pain!

I read of an indoor 100 yards range in Idaho recently that allows airguns ( BP range) and would love to drive that far to be able to test & verify 3 rigs then stretch them out.

John

This is a chart that shows wind effect on poi for different directions of wind ( for right hand twist barrels). It’s a good rule of thumb to get a general idea of the effect wind has assuming it’s the same direction for the entire flight path, which it often isn’t. Of course nothing beats actual range time and getting to know your rifle and ammo. You’ll notice wind from the left forces the projectile to the right and also down due to the rotation. Wind from the right moves it left but also up as the rotation makes “ climb” or ride up on the air. The chart is pretty accurate but I’ve found a direct head or tailwind can sometimes have the opposite effect than the chart shows depending on the angle up or down of the shot. Hope this helps a little.