Getting Started in Long Range Shooting

August 14, 2019 Monica Devlin Comments

A sport requiring tremendous concentration, a good amount of practice, and hard-earned skill, long-range shooting is a favorite pastime enjoyed by many people across the globe. Some fall in love with the sport for the adrenaline rush, the competitive spirit, the thrill of the challenge, or the stress relief they may experience. Whatever the reason for seriously pursuing long-range shooting, one thing is for sure – it's a discipline that can't be mastered in one day.

There are many factors to consider when aiming at a long-range target. Onsite wind and weather are well-known variables that affect the flight of a bullet over distance. Coupled with the impact of ballistic variables - including the specific details of your rifle, ammo, and intended target under varying conditions – it's easy to see how long-range shooting can quickly get complicated.

However, certain tools, like Kestrel Ballistics Weather Meters, can help with the learning curve by removing the guesswork to get you on target faster and with less frustration. Kestrel meters combine accurate onsite environmental measurements with precise, proven ballistic

Understanding Ballistics

Ballistics is the behavior of flight and impact effects of bullets. This ranges from understanding elements such as target information angles, laser rangefinders, and direction of fire. Rifle and bullet measurements also play a role in ballistics, since the physical characteristics of the bullet will alter your results.

Unsurprisingly, the weather and other elements have an impact on the accuracy and outcome of your long-range shooting. The good news is that you don't need a degree in science, weather, or firearms to calculate these elements. The Kestrel Weather Meter is one of the most widely-used and accurate meters for tracking all types of elements for long-range shooting.

Understanding Onsite Environmentals

According to long-range shooting expert Shawn Carlock, former SWAT officer and founder of Defensive Edge, there are several important elements to consider when it comes to long-range shooting.

Accurate pressure, temperature, wind direction, and wind speed are key in taking full advantage of environmental conditions for long-range shooting. The meter can automatically plug in many of the current environmental conditions. It's constantly being updated and calculates variables to apply to your solution for every shot.

While a wind meter is useful with long-range shooting, a Kestrel Ballistics Weather Meter certainly ups the game. The built-in ballistics solver makes it easy to track and average environmental conditions, allowing you to find patterns that you can follow over time. You can even start to recognize how vegetation can impact the wind speed and how to aim your gun to get the most out of wind speed and wind direction.

As a military-grade device, this is simply one of the best tools on the market for long-range shooting. It's rugged and portable, making it a no-brainer to include in your long-range shooting arsenal. Explore our line of integrated ballistic weather meters to get on the right foot with long-range shooting.

About author

Monica Devlin