Meteorology And The National Matches

by
posted on July 12, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
nationals-weatherstation3.jpg

Rifle shooting, particularly at the longer ranges, has gone the way of so many technologically dependent skills in the 21st century. Much of the pick and shovel work has been automated. Take sight changes to compensate for both range and deflection due to wind. Today both corrections come off a table, precisely calculated and published for the shooter’s convenience. Nowadays there are even devices that pretty much do all the work for you. A hundred years ago, it was a different story and it explains the existence of a score (or data) book.

Early weather station at the National Matches, Sea Girt, New Jersey
Study the above photo. It was taken on the range at Sea Girt and the individual (it may be none other than the legendary K.K.V. Casey) does have a portable weather station. When shooters of the time went to the line, they knew the wind speed and direction and it’s a fair bet they knew the temperature and the relative humidity, too. It made a difference then. The 220-grain round-nose bullet in the Krag was much more sensitive to wind, even to a no-value wind, than is one of today’s highly efficient projectiles. Propellants, like the Whistler & Aspinwall powder used to load Krag cartridges, were sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature―with a consequent effect on velocity. It’s not a major consideration with modern Ball powder.

What was learned from a weather station was faithfully recorded in a data book (or score book, or shooter’s diary―call it what you will). Other competitors a century ago, lacking a weather station, needed a data book to record the conditions under which a score was fired, the results, and the changes to initial sight settings made to produce them. The really successful shooters kept meticulous records and used them to estimate starting points for subsequent strings of fire. Some things don’t change. Today’s successful shooters keep meticulous records, too.

Latest

Uspsa Clubs 1
Uspsa Clubs 1

USPSA: Celebrating Growth, Fueling The Future

USPSA celebrates surpassing 40,000 members, with growing participation signaling a dynamic new chapter for the practical competition shooting community.

Competitors’ Corner: July 2025

Highlights from the July 2025 issue of Shooting Sports USA, the NRA’s competitive shooting journal.

All About The 2025 USA High School Clay Target League National Championship

The USA High School Clay Target League National Championship draws top shooters nationwide, showcasing skill, safety and sportsmanship.

Sierra Bullets Expands MatchKing-X Lineup With New 6 mm 107-Grain HPBT

Sierra introduces a 6 mm 107-grain HPBT bullet to its MatchKing-X series, aimed at long-range accuracy with hunting functionality.

Ruger’s New Mark IV 22/45 Lite

Ruger’s upgraded rimfire pistol delivers competition-ready performance in a sleek, lightweight design.

Colt Pro Team’s Justine & Jalise Williams Help Spark Team USA’s Gold Rush At 2025 IPSC World Shoot

Justine and Jalise Williams, representing Colt and Team USA, captured team gold and top individual finishes at the 2025 IPSC PCC/Mini Rifle World Shoot.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.