[moooose102]

i am BRAND NEW to this game, so i have a couple of questions to ask. 1) when working up loads, how should i use this information? should i be comparing my speed to the books published speeds for pressure indications? is this even possible? i.e., if the load data says 2.3 grains of xxx powder should = 1051 fps @ 23,198 psi (max load), should i be working up my loads to = this velocity, of course looking for obvious sighs of high pressure? or should i just keep loading to see how high of velocity i can get without sign of pressure? been there, done that, high pressure thing once, didnt like it. dont want to go there again. i know (from reading reloading books) i can use the chrono to help find consistent loads, by seeing how close the velocity strings are. what else can, and should i use it for? just not all the info is available in the books. experience is a great teacher. just right now, i have none! i suppose i could use it to discover different loads that are not published, but i think i will hold off on doing that for a while. i want to get some good experience under my belt first. what should be my PRIMARY objective be using this? it is a shooting chrony alpha master, it was as expensive as i could afford. hopefully, it will be a decent investment. i know it will be better than just guessing.

[jmorris]

Reloading books have been layered down over the years, however; it’s still a bad idea to just load for published speed or start with max loadings. There are just too many variables in firearms and ammunition components. Stick with the “reduce by 10%” and work up method. Be on the lookout for pressure signs and chronograph when you’re finished.

[rg1]

Accuracy is your main goal with rifle loads and accuracy and reliable feeding in handguns is the key. My intent is to work up loads until I get near the speed commonly associated with a certain caliber. If common 30-06 loads for 150 grain bullets is shown to be approx. 2800 fps then when my loads near 2700 fps I start looking for the most accurate loading without exceeding book maximums with the exact combination listed. If loading 45acp with 230 grain bullets and common speeds listed are 800-850 fps then I keep raising charges until approaching 800fps. When I see that starting and mid-range loads listed get 650-700 fps I raise charges until getting near advertised velocity. You should see a steady progression of velocity with charge increases. If each 1/2 grain for instance gives you 50 fps increase and the next 1/2 grain increase shows little or no increase in velocity then your powder may have reached its limit. I've found some powders that with published maximum loads will not give you top velocities. Time to switch for another powder that will give expected velocities without exceeding maximums published. Another tip is that if maximum published loads only gives 2750 in a 30-06 or 800fps in a 45acp then trying to get the extra 50fps in each load could and I say could start showing pressure signs with your combination of components. It's easier on components and rifles and peace of mind to not push limits. Your new chronograph will be a big asset in your safe reloading but it does add to the challenge of developing loads. When I just picked a load from the book, tested a few different charges to see what shot well, and had no idea of fps, standard deviations, min and max velocities, etc. I think it seemed simpler. Now you'll know how powders and bullets are performing. Another thing I attempt to do is top loads should be safe in any of your rifles or pistols, as well as mine. I don't want a load that might be ok in one of my rifles but be dangerous in anothers. Another thing you'll find and is frustrating is some book data is highly exaggerated and data is not close to your results in your gun. You'll also find that other data is honest. Also, you'll see some start charges that gives rediculously low velocity. As you near mid-range with some loads you'll see a big velocity jump and velocity will settle down and progressively get higher. Have fun with your new toy!

[moooose102]

rg1, i understand much of what you are saying, and i DO NOT want to back into the high pressure zone, ( i got there by accident)( not trying to push the limits) it was just plain scarry. but can you explain Another thing I attempt to do is top loads should be safe in any of your rifles or pistols, as well as mine? how will i know if a load is safe in somebody elses rifle without testing it? i am not sure what you mean by this. // also, i have 5 different reloading books, and the HORNADY loads in general are WAY less than all of the rest of them. any idea why they are publishing loads that are about 80% of others?

[rg1]

I'm not an expert but more of a conservative loader. If one were to work up a load in one rifle until pressure signs show up, then back down a grain, it still could be warm in another rifle. If you load for one rifle and seat bullets out touching or near the lands in one rifle it could be jamming into the lands of another causing high pressure. I try to seat bullets near recommended overall lengths and not closer than 30 thousandths off the lands. If your speed is above normal published velocity it could be ok in one rifle or not the next. I THINK I was just trying to say it's not worth pushing to the maximum velocity from one rifle just to gain another 50-100 fps. I've loaded Hornady bullets for as long as I've been reloading (26 years) comparing their data with all other sources. A lot of their data is conservative and often does not produce the advertised velocity in my guns with my components. However some of their data has equaled my results and their maximum IS maximum. That's the advantage of having a chrono.

[Hook686]

I use my Shooting Chrony Alpha Master to establish an energy point with my reloads. The chrony gives a velocity and the ballistic calculator gives the energy at the point of the chrony reading and then plots a bullet trajectory for me.

This data I find comforting, whether I am looking at personal defense with the handgun, or hunting with the handgun, or a carbine.

[Hook686]

I use my Shooting Chrony Alpha Master to establish an energy point with my reloads. The chrony gives a velocity and the ballistic calculator gives the energy at the point of the chrony reading and then plots a bullet trajectory for me.

This data I find comforting, whether I am looking at personal defense with the handgun, or hunting with the handgun, or a carbine.

Nice choice in a chrony. When you put a bullet into the sensor unit, Shooting Chrony will sell you just that unit, with rods and shields, for a very reasonable price ... no need to buy a completely new chronograph.

[Steve C]

Velocity of your load is just another bit of information to give you a clue as to what may be happening with your loads. A high standard deviation of your velocity may indicate some inconsistency that could may explain why you loads are not accurate. The search as to what is causing this could lead to improving your load.

Occasionally a certain minimum level of velocity may be needed to insure optimal performance of a particular bullet but in general listed velocity in and of itself is not something you load to. There is enough differences between firearms to give you a 10% +/- range of velocity for the same load with the same barrel length so what the manual lists is just the results they obtained with their rifle and should e considered an approximation.

For certain games you need a load that reaches a certain velocity or stays below a certain velocity. In this case the chrono is a great aid.