200 yards shooting questions

[RandyD]

Could you please explain this? In the Marines, they always told us to go off the pit flag to make our dope.

To illustrate this point, lets use two hypothetical circumstances.

The first hypothetical, only has wind at the firing line. The wind at the firing line will push the bullet off its intended flight path. As the bullet travels down range, even though there is no other wind, the bullet will continue to move farther off its intended flight path.

The second hypothetical, only has wind at the target. When the bullet is fired, it travels on its intended flight to the target. However, the wind at the target,
will push the bullet off its intended flight path.

In comparing these two hypothetical circumstances, they illustrate that the wind at the firing line has a greater affect on the path of the bullet, because it causes the bullet to deviate from its intended flight path for a longer distance.

[jrpowell3]

Except the bullet is moving far faster closer to the muzzle.

[bigbearbear]

You can post flags on the way out and tie one to your target board. I use flagging tape.

Brilliant! Thanks for the tip, have to go get some flagging tape before my next range trip.

[bigbearbear]

Lots of good info, many thanks.

Existing zero: I'll have to check it, I was shooting with this scope about 3 weeks ago at 50 yards and it seems to be on zero. It might have shifted. Not all the shots were shifted though, quite a few landed where I expected them to, about 2.5 to 3.5 inches below my point of aim and they were centered too. Hence my original suspicion about the 55gr in the wind.

Scope: Thanks for the confirmation. I wasn't sure how good/bad it is, it does pretty well at 50 and 100 yards but that was the 1st time I've shot at 200.

[Calif Hunter]

That 4 MOA dot covers about 8 inches at 200 yards so it creates a lot of room for error. Use an 8-inch bullseye or make an 8 inch square target to keep the dot centered....

[NapalmCheese]

Brilliant! Thanks for the tip, have to go get some flagging tape before my next range trip.

If you come out next Thursday I'll likely use your flags, as I rarely bother with bringing my own (and cussing as to why I didn't remember to grab the flagging tape out of my truck).

[eric n]

Surveyors tape.
Plastic bags torn in strips work in a pinch. Staple it to a stick, then staple the stick to the backer. I know it's lame but it works, and you will see the gusts or let offs.
55 grain mass produced reloads would be brutal in windy conditions, try it again on a calm day