Hi guys. I want to share an unorthodox method of beating the wind. This method is useful when you have an extremely limited amount of time to make a shot. The method also requires that you have a MIL-DOT reticle. It is not guaranteed to give you first round hits every time, although it will most of the time. It is not a substitute for an actual wind dope chart. What it is, is an extremely fast way of getting on target to within “minute of man.” without referencing anything on paper. Disclaimer over, here it is.
The method is called “shooting the windows.” First, determine the BC of your projectile. In the first scenario, let’s say you’re using M118LR. The BC for M118LR is listed at 0.496. Round DOWN to the nearest tenth. This leaves you with a window of “4”
This means that you will be using “windows” of 4 MPH, 8 MPH, 12, MPH, and 16 MPH winds, and so forth.
I will now make a chart to illustrate how to do this, and then follow up with an explanation. When utilizing the method, you do NOT need to reference the chart, once you figure out how it works. With practice the answer will pop into your head instantly.
The vertical column represents range, and the horizontal column wind speed. The data represents hold-off in MILS.
----------4 MPH------- 8 MPH------- 12MPH
100M-----.1-----------.2-------------.3
200M-----.2-----------.4-------------.6
300M-----.3---------- .6------------- .9
400M-----.4-----------.8-------------1.2
500M-----.5----------1.0------------1.5
600M-----.6----------1.2------------1.8
700M-----.7---------- 1.4----------- 2.1
800M-----.8-----------1.6-----------2.4
If your wind speed is in between one of the windows, just add .1 for every one MPH over the window wind speed. So if it’s a 6 MPH wind at 600M, add .2 to .6 and you get .8 MILS of hold off.
If you notice, all I did was start at the first window of 4 MPH. Just add .1 for every 100M in range for that 4 MPH window. When the wind is 8MPH, use .2 instead of .1
It is an extremely simple pattern once you wrap your head around it. With a little bit of practice you can instantaneously know how far you need to hold-off to hit your target at any range, with any weapons system…given you know the BC of your round. It is a tool to keep in your box. Not the solution to all your wind problems. It’s particularly useful for those who transition between various weapons systems often, as it takes no additional memorization or thought process to use the formula with different rifles.
It will work for high BC 5.56 using 3 MPH windows and low BC 5.56 using windows of 2.
--------3MPH---------6MPH--------9MPH
100M----.1------------.2----------- .3
200M-----.2 --------- .4----------- .6
ETC…
If anyone needs further explanation let me know.