October 24, 2021 Sunday Gunday: Wind Reading with Keith Glasscock Keith Glasscock, one of America’s most renowned F-Class shooters, is on hand to help you. This talented trigger-puller was second in the F-Open division at three consecutive F-Class National Championships. Keith is an engineer with aviation knowledge and has been the wind coach for top F Class teams. Keith is actually currently in Arizona coaching a Ben Avery team. Keith shares his knowledge on wind-reading on his YouTube Channel, Winning in the Wind. This channel offers intelligent advice on a variety of topics, including load development, reloading, shooting strategies, and reading the wind. Keith has the credentials to back up his video lessons. Keith, a High Master, finished second at the 2021 NRA F-Class Long Range Championship F-Open division. He was also second at the 2020 Nationals and took second place at 2019 Nationals. His consistency is unrivaled. This means that he knows the secrets to long-range wind calling, and loading ultra-accurate ammunition. We are featuring two of Keith’s most recent YouTube videos that focus on wind reading. Wind Direction vs. wind Speed — Which is more important? Most shooters find windreading intimidating. This is normal. Wind can change continuously during matches, with variations in wind velocity and angles. Sometimes you think you know the cycle, but then you may find yourself in an unexpected lull. You may think you have a string in a stable state, but then something unexpected happens and changes everything. Wind flows can also be affected by terrain features like berms. Berms have different effects depending on wind angle (e.g. A tailwind hitting a Berm will have a different effect than a crosswind at 90 degrees. A good wind reader must be able to identify both wind speed and wind angle. Keith explains when it is important to pay attention to velocity and when to focus on direction. Keith points out that angle changes should be closely monitored when you are dealing with tailwinds or headwinds. Crosswinds are best watched for speed. The Key Points to Remember
Long range POI can be affected by small changes in wind direction.
Focus on the wind direction during head- or tailwinds
Crosswinds: Focus more on wind speed during crosswinds
— The wind is cyclic. Be aware of the pattern. Determining Wind Direction with Precision Many shooters attempt to determine the wind direction by simply using any wind flags that may be visible from the range. While flags are important, there are many other vital factors that a skilled wind-watcher will be able to monitor. You should be watching for mirage and the movement of grasses and trees. Keith states that the spotting scope is an important tool when trying to spot angle changes. The rotating tripod head has angle markings. This allows him to determine wind angles with great precision. Keith demonstrates how to use a scope to see the wind in the video. He explains how he uses the spotting scope to coach wind coaches. A spotting scope can be used by competitors shooting from a bench or prone. Many top shooters use their spotters to see mirage during relays. Keith points out that smart competitors can also use their spotters BETWEEN relays in order to spot natural wind indicators (moving trees, grass, etc. Watch mirage and check for boils. Important Points to Keep in Mind
In precision wind direction reading, wind flags leave much to be desired
A spotting scope can provide precise wind direction information
— There is a boil directly upwind and downwind
Your tripod has an angle indicator that helps you to determine the wind direction.
Question and Answers with Keith Glasscock Q. — Scouting with a scope before you turn to shoot can be very productive. How did you become a wind coach? What were the most important steps in your wind-reading journey? Keith: This team was my first coaching assignment in 2017. I was looking for a team to shoot with, but they needed a coach for wind. Since then, I have been a backseat driver. I learned the most about reading wind conditions from shooting in terrible weather conditions. Flags popping, wind switching and people missing targets all made me a better photographer. It is evident that I have learned from my mistakes. While I still make mistakes, I try to minimize them. I am now at the most important stage. I look at the wind with humility, knowing its power and mystery, and learning new things every single day. Q. Q. Keith: UNDER-confidence is the most common mistake in wind-reading. Most shooters can accurately make this wind call. Fear prevents shooters from making accurate wind calls and keeps them from learning from or taking advantage of solid, smooth conditions. Failure to anticipate changes is the second most common mistake. This is due to not accurately gauging wind patterns. It’s all about patterns when you play a sport where the wind changes are so small that they have such profound effects on your score. Q. Q. Keith: Both mirage and flags lie. A bullet is the only thing that can tell the truth. Unfortunately, the wind can change faster than you can shoot in most situations. Fluidity is my approach. I look at what is on the range right now to see what the wind is doing. Q. Q. Keith: It all depends on what you are seeing. I don’t like to shoot in gust conditions, even if I know what the hold is. It is the dropoff that gives you that surprise 8. Q: Which type of windmeters do you recommend? Keith: Although Kestrels can be very affordable and are quite serviceable, their directional nature makes them less reliable. An omnidirectional unit is better if I need absolute wind speed. Q. Q. Keith: I concentrate on seeing mirage when I’m outside without using optics. I can see the boil of mirage and the wind direction with my naked eye, which I have done many times. My aviation experience has trained my eye to see things such as shear zones and venturis in airflow. Every time the air is moving, I take a moment to feel the air on the skin, to see the trees and grass moving, as well as areas where the wind does strange things. As precision wind indicators, trees and grass get too much credit. They are wind change indicators that I use. It allows me to be humbled and see how dependent I am upon flags and mirage. Similar Posts: Tags : ballistics. BC. Keith Glasscock. Spotting Scope. Wind Angle. Wind Flags. Wind Reading. Winning in Wind.
