One of the most important influences on rifle shooting is wind. Wind affects shooting in two principal ways: it literally blows the bullet off course; and it buffets the shooter, making proper aiming difficult. The effect of the bullet in flight progressively increases as range increases. A wind that will have little or no effect on a bullet at 200 yards will have some effect on one at 300 yards. The effect of the wind on the bullet in flight is compensated for by applying proper windage to the sights.

The effect of the wind on the body of the shooter depends on the relative stability of the various shooting

Figure 3-51.-Estimating wind velocity.

positions. Wind that has no effect on the prone shooter might have some effect on the sitting shooter, a greater effect on the kneeling shooter, and a definite adverse effect on the standing shooter. The effect of the wind on your body can be decreased through the development of the best possible shooting positions.