I want to begin shooting benchrest and nee to purchase wind flags. What flags would you recommend for a “green as the grass “ novice? I live in Phoenix where the wind is always blowing. Do some styles lend themselves better (easier to read) to beginners than others, I.e. double vein vs single, propeller vs no propeller/pinwheel. I look forw to your comments. Thanks, Tom
Beginner Wind Flags
- Thread starter TomJ
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I don't shoot "benchrest". I've always used strips of surveyors tape to read the wind on a range. It's answered the most basic questions I've had about the wind. I just look at the flags and shoot a little left.
I'm sure they make better wind indicators. I'm interested to see what others recommend.
Digital anemometers in a lineal array linked by WiFi directly into a ballistics program?
I'm sure they make better wind indicators. I'm interested to see what others recommend.
Digital anemometers in a lineal array linked by WiFi directly into a ballistics program?
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What is it about the Wicks style flags that you like? What, if anything, do they do that other type’s don’t?
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They show you the angles. You can readily tell if they are pointing toward you at 45 degrees or away from you at 45 degrees. It's hard to see that in single vane flags.
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I thought MK this is a personal choice to a point. I have Wicks style and like them.
Benchrest guys are always looking for the next tool to give them an edge.
Others I’ve seen are Graham, Ezell. Google is your friend.
Benchrest guys are always looking for the next tool to give them an edge.
Others I’ve seen are Graham, Ezell. Google is your friend.
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I repurpose bent arrows and use fluorescent marking tape tied to them. Any decent stick or even a branch works. The tape is very thin plastic and the slightest breeze will move them. I have four evenly spaced out to eighty yards. They show me enough wind information to gauge my hold.
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I used Surveyor's tape tied to 1/4" fiberglass driveway markers for a couple of years. They work better than using nothing. The angle of the tape tails gives you a reference to the wind's velocity and an approximation of how far to hold off. The tape can get easily wrapped around the stake unless you add a swivel to the attachment point.
Dual vane wind flags give you a more accurate indication of the wind's direction which can be difficult to see as accurately as the single vane flag and tape devices. Single vane wind flags are a step up over the tape alone but as Mike pointed out dual vane flags will allow you to see the wind's quartering angles much more accurately than single vane flags can.
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I have Graham rimfire flags, single vane. Double vane is probably better because I do sometimes catch myself blinking to check whether they’re angled in or out. I didn’t choose double vane because of their size.
Rimfire flags are more sensitive than centerfire wind flags. I think the pinwheels are kinda of heavy and reserved for centerfire.
I’m also contemplating sail tails instead of surveyor ribbon.
Rimfire flags are more sensitive than centerfire wind flags. I think the pinwheels are kinda of heavy and reserved for centerfire.
I’m also contemplating sail tails instead of surveyor ribbon.
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After the election there is a ton of yard signs with the heavy wire frames. A strip of surveyors tape hanging from the center makes a pretty good wind indicator.
Do you guys actually calculate wind drift from multiple points or do you just use the flags to estimate? I'm not sure how multiple flags doing different things would help me dope the wind. It's kind of voodoo calculus anyway.
I only use the flags to estimate the wind and see if it's blowing in the same direction the length of the range. You could get a lot more scientific about it I suppose. Do you actually calculate drift based on multiple wind values at different points downrange?
Do you guys actually calculate wind drift from multiple points or do you just use the flags to estimate? I'm not sure how multiple flags doing different things would help me dope the wind. It's kind of voodoo calculus anyway.
I only use the flags to estimate the wind and see if it's blowing in the same direction the length of the range. You could get a lot more scientific about it I suppose. Do you actually calculate drift based on multiple wind values at different points downrange?
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I always used single vane flags with a black/white ball on the front for 25m BR. After going to 50y...I just couldn't readily see the angles on the far flags and had to convert to dual.
Mike
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I mostly use mine for 50y RFBR and I can confirm it can be an eye chart exercise.
That said, single vane wind flags are 1000% superior to no wind flags. Double vane flags are a bit better for instant reading.
How bulky are the dual vanes? I own/ travel with four. Are they as sensitive as single vane?
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I use double vane but I have one unit which is compound 360 plus up and down, extremely sensitive it shows me the amount of effect of the wind passing over the berm and or thermals.
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Sensitivity, or speed of reaction is controlled by balance point and tail. The wider and longer Sail Tail react slowest. Light survey tape tails react the fastest. If you set the bandage point nose or tail heavy it will slow reaction time. If you set the balance point in the center, it reacts faster.
Ray sets his dual vane Wicks style flags up with two light weight tails. That was too much visual info for me so I set mine up with a single tail.
Dual vane flags do take up more cargo space when traveling, but you can pack them efficiently if you give it some thought.
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If you want to try an ultralight and responsive flag tail, try a piece of VCR tape.
Betamax or VHS - your call I don't even think it matters which kind of VCR you have.
Betamax or VHS - your call I don't even think it matters which kind of VCR you have.
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