Chronoed my reloads for the first time

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Hardtarget

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Last range trip my shooting buddy brought his chronograph. I've been loading since the mid
70's but never really knew more than they go bang and functioned the semi auto guns.

So he got set up and let me shoot five rounds through with the M1.. I had no real expectations. My load is Hornady 150 gr fmj over 47 gr of IMR 4895 primed with CCI #41.As pointed out (and kindly too) these were/are CCI # 34 primers!

The five shot av is 2641 fps. The low was 2604 and the high was 2666.

Since I load for several guns and different calibers...and can't depend on his chrono always being at the range...I bought one for my own this week. Looking forward to checking the other loads...soon!

Mark
 
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Hope your new chrono lives a long and happy life.
If you are shooting scoped rifles think about the bullet path.
When shooting for chrono numbers I just worry about shooting over the chrono and not about hitting any targets behind it. The goal is NOT to hit the chrono.
I reloaded for quite a while without one but find it a useful tool.
(OK and a neat toy)
 
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Dudedog said:
Hope you new chrono lives a long and happy life.
If you are shooting scoped rifles think about the bullet path.
When shooting for chrono numbers I just worry about shooting over the chrono and not about hitting any targets behind it. The goal is NOT to hit the chrono.
Click to expand...

Yes, I've had two expired from "lead poisoning".:)

It is amazing what a 45 ACP and a 204 Ruger will do to a chronograph.

As said, a chronograph is not required for developing accurate loads, but the information it gains can be useful. I lump a chronograph in the tool category, "could not justify if before I bought one, can't live with out it since I got one."
 
The lovely lady of the house got me a chronograph for Christmas and I tested my .223 loads for the first time, they came out about 100fps faster than I had guesstimated, that thing was just FUN! Don't know why I never got one before! I'm glad you're going to be able to enjoy one too, I honestly think that one of the affordable systems should put together a package with every press available!
 
Chronos are useful and informative tools. 300 gr hard cast lead took out my first one. Clocked 1375 on the previous shot. Someone said if you haven't shot your chronograph you're not shooting enough. May get a lab radar.
 
stringnut said:
Chronos are useful and informative tools. 300 gr hard cast lead took out my first one. Clocked 1375 on the previous shot. Someone said if you haven't shot your chronograph you're not shooting enough. May get a lab radar.
Click to expand...
Shot my buddy's chrono first trip out. He just laughed! I replaced it and we tried again, successfully.
 
Hardtarget said:
Last range trip my shooting buddy brought his chronograph. I've been loading since the mid
70's but never really knew more than they go bang and functioned the semi auto guns.

So he got set up and let me shoot five rounds through with the M1.. I had no real expectations. My load is Hornady 150 gr fmj over 47 gr of IMR 4895 primed with CCI #41.

The five shot av is 2641 fps. The low was 2604 and the high was 2666.

Since I load for several guns and different calibers...and can't depend on his chrono always being at the range...I bought one for my own this week. Looking forward to checking the other loads...soon!

Mark
Click to expand...
Mark, I've been thinking of getting one. Which one did you get and be sure to give us a range report.
 
I bought a PACT Model 1 XP because the Chrono itself sits safely on the bench next to you while only the sensors are in harms way. Replacement sensors are only $15.95 each. (don't ask me how I know)

The Model 1 XP cost me only $109 on sale from Midway USA. Full Retail is $129.
 
The main reason I borrowed a friend's chrony was so that I could check muzzle velocity on my hunting loads, to get scope dope data for ranges further than my local range allows (150 yards). Not end-all, be-all compared to actually shooting the longer distances, but gives a good idea of what you should expect to see when you do get a chance to stretch your legs.
 
You guys are fun to be around! Yes...masking tape might be the answer! Right after choosing the PROPER size primer.

I should have mentioned what I bought with my first post...so...its a Shooting Chrony, master-alpha unit.

Not sure, but, I may get a chance to try it this weekend! that would be fun! Any reason for a range trip! I want to see how my loads for .30-30 and .223 look as well as .303 Brit and the K-31. This will settle my thinking for several loads I shoot and my grandson's .270 deer rifle.

Mark
 
I managed to give my 2 month old chrono a head shot recently. With a 500 S&W magnum. Needless to say it no longer works, so I ordered another one.
My approach going forward is this: Do not try to aim when measuring bullet speed, just make sure you shoot right smack in the middle of those wire stands.

PS I never thought I would have so much fun measuring my hand loads.
 
I count on my chrono to give me important data about my reloads. In fact, I can't imagine reloading without one. I don't understand why some folks get so much grief for using them though, online and at the range. Every time I've set mine up at the range, anyone there wants to know what it's reading. Why wouldn't you want to know?

With my chrono and the Hornady ballistics calculator, I can easily figure out bullet drop and downrange energy, plus I can usually determine where to hold on my duplex reticles.

In the case of my Ruger RSI with the 18.5" barrel, it helped me appreciate how many fps I was giving up for that barrel length which was significantly more than I had expected.
 
I bought a Caldwell awhile back and kept sample loads as I went along. It was fun to chrono all those rounds, about an hr to go thru them all. It was interesting to see the results.
 
Another way I've found the chrono useful was to help me figure out the rough BC of a bullet in a factory load. I would set my chrono at 100 and 200 yards and fire over it, getting readings at those distances. Combined with the MV, you can roughly calculate the BC and I find that useful for predicting energy and trajectory.
 
Temps have taken a nose dive around here but I may sneak over to the range on Saturday 1/7 . I'm thinking I'll take the M1 again to see how close the readings compare...his chrono to mine. Might be interesting. The AR will go and the Win .30-30. That will be enough for one trip...maybe. worse than a kid with a new toy

Mark
 
horsey300...that is almost a word-for-word quote from my wife. Add in the eye roll and "turn away hand wave" as she laughed. All in good fun...because she goes with me most of the time!

She also knows I really don't NEED an excuse for a range trip!

Reality check! !...A.M. temp around 12 degrees with wind chill around "2"...mid day at best!

Mark
 
Hardtarget said:
horsey300...that is almost a word-for-word quote from my wife. Add in the eye roll and "turn away hand wave" as she laughed. All in good fun...because she goes with me most of the time!

She also knows I really don't NEED an excuse for a range trip!

Reality check! !...A.M. temp around 12 degrees with wind chill around "2"...mid day at best!

Mark
Click to expand...
I hear you, I wanna to graph some new loads but it's below operating temp for the machine, we finally got above 10 today, but there's a freak warm front threatening Monday with high of 52 when I checked at lunch! Gonna haveta settle for yote control until Monday I guess....that 52 bugs me though, it's not natural.
 
Well, that house of cards...(range trip plans)...fell apart. Everything from temps, birthday meal, grand daughters ball game just killed the chance. Oh, well. Next weekend!

Mark
 
Dudedog wrote:
Hope your new chrono lives a long and happy life.
If you are shooting scoped rifles think about the bullet path.
When shooting for chrono numbers I just worry about shooting over the chrono and not about hitting any targets behind it. The goal is NOT to hit the chrono.
Click to expand...

I agree.

I've managed to avoid shooting my chrono for more than two decades. The same cannot be said about my sky screens and their supports. I make replacement sky screens out of milk jugs and I use bamboo shish-ka-bob skewers (with the pointy end cut off) to replace the supports.
 
the count said:
My approach going forward is this: Do not try to aim when measuring bullet speed, just make sure you shoot right smack in the middle of those wire stands.
Click to expand...

I kept popping the wire stands, which in turn cracked the plastic housings. Now I use chopsticks and the wood gives way without hurting the plastic.

And best of all, I get them free at lunch once a week !
.
 
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