Reading the Wind

Updated 2013 ebook version

As a competition shooter you can control many things, but you cannot control the wind conditions. To excel in any outdoor shooting sport you will need to learn how to compensate for the effects of the wind. Written by Master Sergeant Jim Owens, his 20+ years of Marine Corps Shooting Team experience will give you the knowledge of how to read, judge and adjust for the wind - in any type of rifle competition. 


Jim’s book presents a simple system for judging the speed, direction and value of the wind. You'll learn to read the mirage, how to accurately read the range flag, estimate wind speed, wind strategies, effects on the bullet and much more. The coaching techniques section will help your own performance and that of others when shooting in the wind.


Also included are 22 sets of wind charts for a variety of calibers (.223, .308, 6.5-08, 6.5-284, .300 Win. Mag.), bullet weights, and for both Across the course and Long Range. There are 80 wind charts in total !



About the Author

Jim Owens earned his first shooting award, an Expert Marksman badge, in 1963. During his Marine Corps career, he was both a member and a coach of the Marksmanship Training Unit at MCAS, Cherry Point, N.C.  He’s fired in the Eastern, Far Eastern, Western and Pacific Marine Corps Division Matches.  (Each of these matches includes one week of classes. Jim was also a Marksmanship Instructor at the U. S. Naval Academy.


He went on to coach, and serve on base teams both at MCB, Camp Pendleton, CA and MCB, Quantico, VA for the Inter-service and National Matches in 1981 and 1983.  In 1982 he coached the winning six man Team in the All Marine Corps Championships. In his shooting career, he’s earned 3 Bronze Legs, 1 Silver Leg, 1 Gold Leg and a Distinguished Badge.  He’s a High Master and a member of the 495 Club.

Since retiring as a M/SGT in 1986, Jim’s been actively engaged in promoting excellence in the sport and civilian participation in Competitive High Power Shooting. 


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“Your series of books and tapes have helped me make the first daunting steps and I entered my first competitive event ever, the 2004 NRA High Power Week Competition at Camp Perry. Your Data Book is the best that I have seen and all the information that you had put together and your personal commitment to Juniors in the sport is indeed commendable.”

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