Tips & Techniques: Quick & Dirty Wind Reading

by
posted on January 10, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Wind Reading

A common saying in precision shooting is that beginners study ballistic charts, while masters study the wind. Unfortunately, there is no magic trick to mastering the wind, but there is a starting point.

Dealing with wind consists of two problems: estimating the wind itself and adjusting the point of aim (POA) accordingly. Wind meters, flags or gut instincts help with the first problem, but not everyone has them when they need them.

Professionals test themselves by first estimating the wind and then using a meter to see how close they were. 

The best way to correct for wind is to know the ballistic data of the cartridge and calculate the required adjustment. This is especially important for shots beyond 300 yards. Inside of that, the average shooter has a little bit more room for error. Assuming a standard IPSC silhouette target (18"x30"), the below strategies can aid in quickly getting on target within that distance.

With these tricks in mind, try applying them at a local outdoor range and start building a mental database for wind correction.

wind direction graphic

Latest

Galco Revenger Sb7 Belt Review 1
Galco Revenger Sb7 Belt Review 1

Review: Galco Revenger Holster & SB7 Gun Belt

For those who choose to carry a finely finished, K-frame revolver, Galco offers one of its finest concealed-carry setups in the form of its Revenger holster and SB7 gun belt.

Rimfire Power: The Primary Arms CLx 1-6x24 mm Riflescope with ACSS 22LR G2 Reticle

Low-power variable optics have become popular options for today's AR-15s and other modern sporting rifles, and Primary Arms now offers an option tailored for rimfire versions of those same guns.

Gun of the Week: Walther Arms PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM

One of Walther Arms' recent introductions combines the features of several other PDP handguns, meaning the Walther PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM is packed with a number of different design elements.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 30, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

President's Column | Your Input is Valued

I wish to thank all our members who have sent me e-mails these last 12 months. I’m doing my best to keep up with all your e-mails, but please be aware it seems I’m always 300 to 400 e-mails behind. I want to reiterate that I am reading them all as fast as I have time for.

Building an X-Card Gun for Turkey Shoots

Unofficially known as a “turkey shoot,” X-Card competition challenges shotgunners to place shot pellets as closely as possible to the center of a target. And some makers have perfected a way to fine-tune shotguns for this purpose.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.