I haven't shot using it yet, but I bought a Graham wind flag this winter. It will be interesting to see if there is any improvement in my scores/groups when using it.

 

Did your scores improve?

 

What kind of wind flags is everyone using? I've shot a few matches so far. Previously I had been sharing my neighbor's wind flags whether they like it or not. Well the venue I shoot at the most recently enclosed the shooting area and now we are shooting out of little windows. So with little peripheral vision I've been flying blind.

I just got these in after a long wait, because the maker was moving into a new shop. I had been watching different types at matches and I liked these best. They are Ezell wind flags.
I'm thinking about getting one of those wind indicators too or one of those Dixie cup deals. The last match I shot the only thing I could see was my left handed neighbors red Dixie cup rig. It was sitting horizontal though at a 90 angle.Whenever it would start bobbing up and down I didn't shoot and I did real well at that match just using that. all of the ones Insee for sale are standing up. I guess it can be adjusted and balanced to stay at 90 degrees.

You can't do much better than the Ezell flags. I've used them for years and really like them. The windicators are a good idea as well. I use 5 Ezell flags with two windicators on 50 yard/meter ranges.

TKH (4628)

 

What kind of wind flags is everyone using? I've shot a few matches so far. Previously I had been sharing my neighbor's wind flags whether they like it or not. Well the venue I shoot at the most recently enclosed the shooting area and now we are shooting out of little windows. So with little peripheral vision I've been flying blind.

I just got these in after a long wait, because the maker was moving into a new shop. I had been watching different types at matches and I liked these best. They are Ezell wind flags.
I'm thinking about getting one of those wind indicators too or one of those Dixie cup deals. The last match I shot the only thing I could see was my left handed neighbors red Dixie cup rig. It was sitting horizontal though at a 90 angle.Whenever it would start bobbing up and down I didn't shoot and I did real well at that match just using that. all of the ones Insee for sale are standing up. I guess it can be adjusted and balanced to stay at 90 degrees.

You can't do much better than the Ezell flags. I've used them for years and really like them. The windicators are a good idea as well. I use 5 Ezell flags with two windicators on 50 yard/meter ranges.

TKH (4628)

Dang! That's a lot of flags in 50 yards. How do you have them placed? In what order?

 

Dang! That's a lot of flags in 50 yards. How do you have them placed? In what order?

Don't think there are 2 people at my club that have the same flag setup. I have 3 Keeney small flags and a small Gene Beggs wind probe. Sometimes it's hard to read the small flag at the target. Oh, and some of the best factory shooters at my club don't use any. I've asked how do you determine hold off, reply "I just aim at the dot".

 

2 keeney flags for me 1 large and 1 small

 

Flag Knowledge..Wind closer has a greater effect on the bullet, I crowd all my flags into the first 25/30 yards. Probes and Windicators are as important or more important than the flags, they especially tell you when NOT to shoot. Your best wind flag is the micro-mini flag on the front of your bench.

 

Flag Knowledge..Wind closer has a greater effect on the bullet, I crowd all my flags into the first 25/30 yards. Probes and Windicators are as important or more important than the flags, they especially tell you when NOT to shoot. Your best wind flag is the micro-mini flag on the front of your bench.

Would you have a supplier recommendation or link for a micro-mini flag? Thanks.

 

For my setup the probe is the first from the bench with my first flag just behind.

 

I have 3 small Keeney flags and one Keeney Wind indicator.

 

I use a set from David Halblom.

 

The actual brand of flag isn't so important as knowing them inside and out, bench time. Also in a match there is often one flag that isn't lying and is money. May be one of yours may be somewhere else on the range, pay attention.

 

Lots of lads with no flags are using others as a gauge, that’s what I did before I invested in a set.

I use two flags (snail-tails), one about 10yds out and the second about 20/25 yds.

 

Does anyone know where to find up and down flags?

 

http://benchrest.com/class/index.php?a=2&b=4729

 

Go back to the classified ad. The picture with the blue ribbons, front flag.
I'll give Bobby a call later today & find out whether their still making them.
If not, & ONLY if their not, I have a couple of the up/down'ers that I'd consider making a few copies of if anyone's interested.
Not the complete flag, just the mechanism. It'll swap right out if you have an existing Hill made Wick's flag.
I also have an old Graham up/down flag that thats all it does. I don't know if Matt makes them or not. Contact him. I can text you a pic if that would help.
I only bring it out on special occasions in hopes to add confusion to other competitors!
Keith

 

Go back to the classified ad. The picture with the blue ribbons, front flag.
I'll give Bobby a call later today & find out whether their still making them.
If not, & ONLY if their not, I have a couple of the up/down'ers that I'd consider making a few copies of if anyone's interested.

Keith

Keith, if you would please, post back with your findings after talking to Bob. Known Ray since before I started shooting sanctioned. He used to email me once in awhile. Hope he's still doing well.

Y'all are worrying way to much about the type\brand flag your shooting behind. Just go to a match, look at what most are shooting behind and order a set. If you think you need 3, order 4. Guys that actually shoot matches behind flags are giving good advice. Save yourself time and money and listen to them. ( john,scott, bruce,keith, all shoot a lot of matches. Listen to them.)

Todd

Good advice. I benched with John several times this past season. We always just set his flags, except I did place my 1 or 2 of my Hill up/downers in the spread, especially near the awning. Swirl off awnings can really be a bugger and an up/downer will show it! Once you get used to interpreting the information flags give you, it's not that difficult to shoot someone else's spread. John totally changed his flag 'type' about halfway through the season last year. His performance was not compromised at all. He still beat me every match....Lol!

I own and shoot 2 different styles. Hill dual vanes and Ezell, depending on forecasted conditions. Of note, Coreplast constructed flags in rain is a bad deal. I never shoot Coreplast when it's raining anymore. They fill with water and really slow down. This is the main reason I bought my first set of Ezell flags, although I do shoot them occasionally when it's dry out.

Scott

 

I'm pretty sure Ray Hill is still making the up and downers.

He mentions them in his ad for 75$.

Give him a call.

 

Y'all are worrying way to much about the type\brand flag your shooting behind. Just go to a match, look at what most are shooting behind and order a set. If you think you need 3, order 4. Guys that actually shoot matches behind flags are giving good advice. Save yourself time and money and listen to them. ( john,scott, bruce,keith, all shoot a lot of matches. Listen to them.)

Todd

 

My wind flags are made by MTM Case-Gard, the people who make the plastic ammo cases. I got them for $12.00 each so I use 4 of them evenly spaced out from the bench to the target; any more than 3 or 4 and I find it's too distracting.
I had to use my advanced degree in "southern engineering" to modify them a bit. The flag staffs fit into a 18" PC pipe to get them higher, so the flags are along the flight path of the bullet. The pvc pipe fits into 1 pound plastic coffee cans, which are about 1/2 filled with cement to prevent the flags from tipping over. Then I glued a wooden arrow so the vanes of the arrow extend way behind the plastic vane/wind direction indicator of the MTM. I then attached some surveyors tape to the end of the arrows to give me an indicator of wind speed.
The results of all of this is I have 4 wind flags at a cost of slightly over $50.00. And most importantly, they are highly sensitive to subtle changes in wind direction; more so than any of the high dollar ones.

But more importantly, it's not what wind flags you use, it's how you use the flags.

 

I got to shoot with my new flags this morning. They’re placed like they are because I sighted in two rifles and I didn’t want to shoot my flags. I later moved them closer. No more relying on other people’s flags for me. I’ll probably add a value indicator and or an up and downer into the mix.

 

Talked with Ray today & he is still making the up/downers. He's doing well.
Bobby's making babies!!:bthumb:

Keith

 

Thanks so much for the update Keith! Glad to hear Ray is doing well and up/downers are still available. Making babies sounds like more fun though....Lol!

Scott

 

Appalachian2, you have a great set of flags. I'd recommend getting 1 or 2 more. They are what I use mainly for the same reasons Scott mentions.
Indicators are nice & I do use 1 & sometimes 2 but don't use them all the time. I"m lazy & feel like we tend to pack to much crap with us as it is. I like to use them when I know it'll be a blustery day. This mentality has bit me more than I care to share so take it for what its worth. They do help.
One other thing: Try not to over complicate things. Some times there's too much information out there for us to process. YMMV
Keith

 

Try not to over complicate things. Some times there's too much information out there for us to process. YMMV
Keith

I totally agree with this statement. I use 3 flags and 1 indicator (by my first flag), and I pay the most attention to the first flag and indicator at 15 yards and use the others for reference.

 

One range we shoot at, if I can only have one flag, it would be at the 40 yard mark.
Todd
Note: I use 6 or 7 total.

 

uppy/downy

This just appeared for those interested
https://forum.accurateshooter.com/t.../threads/graham-wind-flags-uppy-downy-wind-flag-in-stock.4060189/#post-38302202

 

I have used the Orlando Wind Flags. I had them for around 10 Years of hard use before they finally gave out on me. I just think for the quality and price they are quite good. I am hoping to buy a new set here soon. I like a set of four, spinners and two big long range flags and it takes care of any shooting I do.

 

I have great luck with stlflagco.com flags fast shipping and awesome qulity....
Home | stlflagco

 

Just built one out of materials I had on hand excepting a couple key items.

 

Homemade piece of dowel drilled to take a bent paperclip and a thin strip of anything that will flutter.

 

I thought I’d make an update on my flag setup since I started the thread. I did take the advice given. I added a couple flags. I set them in the first 30 yards except for one particular venue. I did buy an up and downer and a probe. I set the up and downer a little out from the end of the shelter and I also like the probe closer in except for one venue where there is a gap in the side structure. That up and downer I don’t watch much, because it don’t move much until it does and then it’s invaluable.

I need to order another set of tails and keep them in the tube as advised when I bought them. I noticed when at the match in the pic that when straight they’re easier to read and also measure higher wind.

I could probably stand to replace my Dixie cup probe with a couple of a Beggs that attach to the flag stands, but I’ve got used to watching and looking for the one I have and I’ve learned how to adjust the weight according to how strong the wind is. Also the probe matches the up and downer and I’ve got used to catching any motion with the color and shape of them. I will at least add one Beggs probe. I just don’t want info overload. Thank you PWNolan for the adapters to do so and thanks to the others for the advice.

I’l