Is a Chronograph Necessary?
- Thread starter FIVENINES
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Paddy
member
I'm trying to develop subsonic loads for the 300blk and I'm thinking that a chrono is basically required for that. I feel that I'm "close" to subsonic now, but without knowing that magic number, can't say how far off. I'm looking at models that are 85-100$ and I'm biting my lip trying to justify it. I don't want one but I feel I do need it for curiosity and development of subs and other loads.
In my first year of reloading I've learned a lot, but subs seem to take gat to the next level where a chrono is required.
In my first year of reloading I've learned a lot, but subs seem to take gat to the next level where a chrono is required.
Vodoun da Vinci
Member
I have reloaded without one and have developed exactly the loads that perfrom as I desire...accurate and powerful. Functional and exact.
I'd love to have one just to know what velocities I am achieving but I guess it has not been so critical to motivate me to buy one and use it.....I have the money but I guess it's not a priority.
VooDoo
I'd love to have one just to know what velocities I am achieving but I guess it has not been so critical to motivate me to buy one and use it.....I have the money but I guess it's not a priority.
VooDoo
MILLERTIME
Member
Another tool to help you produce high end ammo. There are several with nice interfaces that make them easy to read and interpret now. The Caldwell one interfaces with your smartphone! What's a hobby without cool tools. 
I loaded for a long time without one. Wouldn't dream of not using one now. You don't have to spend a fortune, about $100 will get you a basic version that will tell you what you need to know. Cheap insurance. It may be off by 20-30 fps compared to the high end versions, but that is close enough for my needs.
I think of it as a lie detector. Some things I've discovered.
A 7mm magnum is just a loud 270. I can match or beat 7mm loads with a 270 or 30-06 with comparable bullets.
Short rifle barrels aren't nearly as slow than most folks think. Two to four inches off a 24" barrel is pretty insignificant really, about 8% shorter.
Short handgun barrels are much slower than most folks think. When ammo is tested with an 8" barrel and folks start using guns with 2-4" barrels that is huge, about 50%-75% shorter.
It is also a safety consideration. If you ever get above the listed minimum loads you could easily get into trouble. You could still be somewhere near the middle of the load range and be overpressure with some combinations of bullets, primers, brass, and barrels. The ONLY reliable way to know is by monitoring your velocity as you work up. Traditional pressure signs don't show up until you are already well over the limit. Using a chronograph will let you know when you are approaching trouble before you get there.
Loading without a chronograph is like taking out your car's speedometer and replacing it with a warning light that comes on only when you reach 120 mph. As inexpensive as they are today there is no reason not to buy one.
I think of it as a lie detector. Some things I've discovered.
A 7mm magnum is just a loud 270. I can match or beat 7mm loads with a 270 or 30-06 with comparable bullets.
Short rifle barrels aren't nearly as slow than most folks think. Two to four inches off a 24" barrel is pretty insignificant really, about 8% shorter.
Short handgun barrels are much slower than most folks think. When ammo is tested with an 8" barrel and folks start using guns with 2-4" barrels that is huge, about 50%-75% shorter.
It is also a safety consideration. If you ever get above the listed minimum loads you could easily get into trouble. You could still be somewhere near the middle of the load range and be overpressure with some combinations of bullets, primers, brass, and barrels. The ONLY reliable way to know is by monitoring your velocity as you work up. Traditional pressure signs don't show up until you are already well over the limit. Using a chronograph will let you know when you are approaching trouble before you get there.
Loading without a chronograph is like taking out your car's speedometer and replacing it with a warning light that comes on only when you reach 120 mph. As inexpensive as they are today there is no reason not to buy one.
Potatohead
Member
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Interesting post jmr40..
Andrew Leigh
Member
That is a great post jmr40.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
FIVENINES said:
I was about to say you didn't need one, until you posted this.
You don't want to pay entry fees, travel for whatever distance, show up to a match and find out your rounds are 25 fps below minimum power factor when they test them over one.
For $100 you can have a good one these days. If you're competing in any of those games, the least you'll want to do is beg or borrow one to confirm your loads.
I reloaded for years without owning one of my own. It wasn't until I started competing that I bought one.
bob4
Member
Bullet trajectory in hunting loads over 100 yds is the reason I'll be looking into one. Don't have close access to a range over 100yds but if I knew the FPS I can calculate the drop after 100yds.
spitballer
Member
Looking through a scope with a steady hold at 100 yards on a calm day, it's hard to understand why shots aren't going through the same hole. Matching the targets with the chronograph numbers afterward helps to understand what is happening.
A chronograph is not necessary, but it will make your time at the range more productive.
A chronograph is not necessary, but it will make your time at the range more productive.
Elkins45
Member
Need? No, and even now that I have one I use it only rarely. There are certain uses where it is really helpful, like trying to stay subsonic, meeting power factor and verifying load performance in order to accurately calculate bullet drop for long range shooting.
>So, when I am loading, and get the same velocities as in the manual, it is a good assumption that I have reached the same pressure levels.
Good assumption, just that it doesn't work in the real world. One would think that a given pressure would produce a given velocity, but I have seen slow and fast barrels where the same pressure produces very different velocities. Now, maybe, if you chrono factory ammo and then use the chrono with all the other pressure sign variables to work up loads in that gun, you MIGHT be able to do what you think you can. Have you seen any proof of this to risk you gun and health on?
So far, except MAYBE in long-range rifle match shooting, I have not even seen any correlation between S.D. of velocity and accuracy, when we all "know" that the more consistent ammo should be more accurate--yet, looking at all the results in the magazines, the low S.D. rounds are so often the least accurate.
I do know, from actual pressure testing I had available once, that I could get 9x19 well above the manual's max load and exceed the max velocity by 100 fps and still be below the max pressure. Likewise, I had some loads that hit max pressure well under the manual's max load or the max velocity shown. I had a 110gn bullet at 1520fps and 33ksi in test facility's gun (5" barrel).
Good assumption, just that it doesn't work in the real world. One would think that a given pressure would produce a given velocity, but I have seen slow and fast barrels where the same pressure produces very different velocities. Now, maybe, if you chrono factory ammo and then use the chrono with all the other pressure sign variables to work up loads in that gun, you MIGHT be able to do what you think you can. Have you seen any proof of this to risk you gun and health on?
So far, except MAYBE in long-range rifle match shooting, I have not even seen any correlation between S.D. of velocity and accuracy, when we all "know" that the more consistent ammo should be more accurate--yet, looking at all the results in the magazines, the low S.D. rounds are so often the least accurate.
I do know, from actual pressure testing I had available once, that I could get 9x19 well above the manual's max load and exceed the max velocity by 100 fps and still be below the max pressure. Likewise, I had some loads that hit max pressure well under the manual's max load or the max velocity shown. I had a 110gn bullet at 1520fps and 33ksi in test facility's gun (5" barrel).
Longhorn 76
Member
I am sure you can find exceptions, but that is how Oehler and others calibrate their strain gauges for your rifle. V=a x t.
mgmorden
Member
Not necessary, no. I loaded for 7-8 years without one. I will say though that once you get one a chronograph is one of the most useful tools I've bought as far as reloading goes. There are some budget models that go for around $75 or so. Unless you're on an unimaginably tight budget I'd get one.
Primarily what they allow you to do is set a target velocity (be that for power factor, or just a target load that you want) and work up to that. As an individual you can't really test pressure, so testing resulting velocity is the next best thing and is directly related to pressure.
And trust me, if you DO shoot end up shooting competition, you'll want one if you end up shooting any major matches. A cheap chrono costs about half of just the entry fee to many such matches. Work in hotel, gas, ammo, etc, and it would suck to spend $400-500 on a match that you end up shooting for no score because your ammo didn't make power factor.
Primarily what they allow you to do is set a target velocity (be that for power factor, or just a target load that you want) and work up to that. As an individual you can't really test pressure, so testing resulting velocity is the next best thing and is directly related to pressure.
And trust me, if you DO shoot end up shooting competition, you'll want one if you end up shooting any major matches. A cheap chrono costs about half of just the entry fee to many such matches. Work in hotel, gas, ammo, etc, and it would suck to spend $400-500 on a match that you end up shooting for no score because your ammo didn't make power factor.
Squeeze
Member
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SDC
Member
100% necessary, for loads that will go "bang" every time? No. But if you're loading rifle ammunition, or competitive pistol ammunition, consistency is everything, and a consistent velocity is one of the most important parts in the equation.
Squeeze
Member
For reloading: no
For hand-loading: absolutely
If you load brass you found at the range, or if you are more interested in output volume than consistency and repeatable results, or "if you shoot them until the neck splits", a chronograph is a waste of your time and money.
But if you believe in the scientific method (observing a phenomenon, theorizing about it, gathering data, and then confirming/refuting the theory), get a chronograph. It is the best way I have found to ensure my loads enjoy consistent muzzle velocity, and it's the ONLY way I know to find out whether a particular recipe performs predictably and repeatably (another pesky principle from science class that is handy in the woods).
Another excuse for doing science here is the option of producing several types of rounds for your hunting bandoleer with the same muzzle velocity but different bullets/bullet weights. You can then zero your scope/sights once and be ready for whatever stumbles into view. For example, I have done this for my .30-06 at 2,800 fps +/- 50 fps for bullets from 110gr through 180gr by varying propellant, primer, and seating depth.
Incidentally, it has been a LONG time since I have seen reloadable brass on the ground at a range or anywhere else.
For hand-loading: absolutely
If you load brass you found at the range, or if you are more interested in output volume than consistency and repeatable results, or "if you shoot them until the neck splits", a chronograph is a waste of your time and money.
But if you believe in the scientific method (observing a phenomenon, theorizing about it, gathering data, and then confirming/refuting the theory), get a chronograph. It is the best way I have found to ensure my loads enjoy consistent muzzle velocity, and it's the ONLY way I know to find out whether a particular recipe performs predictably and repeatably (another pesky principle from science class that is handy in the woods).
Another excuse for doing science here is the option of producing several types of rounds for your hunting bandoleer with the same muzzle velocity but different bullets/bullet weights. You can then zero your scope/sights once and be ready for whatever stumbles into view. For example, I have done this for my .30-06 at 2,800 fps +/- 50 fps for bullets from 110gr through 180gr by varying propellant, primer, and seating depth.
Incidentally, it has been a LONG time since I have seen reloadable brass on the ground at a range or anywhere else.
rodinal220
Member
Yes. If you are a serious reloader the more data the better. As others pointed out you need to know how fast your velocity is for making power factor for certain action sports.
Its also really nice for long range rifle shooter too, to test loads at various temps,altitudes,etc so your ballistic software can do its thing.
Nice to test factory ammo as well to see what it does in your gun as compared to the info on the box.
If you are only loading starting loads for plinking or mid range loads you could get away with it. I like having as much data as possible.
Its also really nice for long range rifle shooter too, to test loads at various temps,altitudes,etc so your ballistic software can do its thing.
Nice to test factory ammo as well to see what it does in your gun as compared to the info on the box.
If you are only loading starting loads for plinking or mid range loads you could get away with it. I like having as much data as possible.
1SOW
Member
Pistols:
- You waste fewer components to find a good load.
-You can find the the changes temperature, different primers, seating depth changes, bullet diameter and powder position cause.
-They can serve as a back-up safety device to stay in a safe load range , especially when having to load shorter than published data provides.
-For comp. it's needed.
-At the range you look cool and they often bring on conversations with other shooters.
-They punish you for careless shots with immediate feedback
- You waste fewer components to find a good load.
-You can find the the changes temperature, different primers, seating depth changes, bullet diameter and powder position cause.
-They can serve as a back-up safety device to stay in a safe load range , especially when having to load shorter than published data provides.
-For comp. it's needed.
-At the range you look cool and they often bring on conversations with other shooters.
-They punish you for careless shots with immediate feedback
dprice3844444
member
it's nice to determine if you made any mistakes.if your loading for garands,it's a necessity to prevent op rod damage.it also helps in proving consistency in fps readings per round.there is many variations in powder lots.it's cheap insurance.
rayatphonix
Member
My chronograph certainly isn't essential, but more than any other single item, it helped me improve my reloading consistency. Using it taught me I wasn't doing nearly as good a job as I thought I was. Very humbling. It made me a better reloader. I use it for rifle rounds only, so I can't speak for pistols.
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