Chronograph as part of a reloading ensemble?

[xsquidgator]

Hello all - I've been reloading .38/.357 and 9mm for a month or two now with a Lee 4-station turret press and am getting comfortable with it. By that I mean I've been able to make what I think are pretty nice practice rounds using both lead and jacketed bullets. In one sense that's "good enough", since I can now make as much practice ammo as I want or need. By a little bit of trial and error I've developed a couple of loads that are just a little above the starting loads to cycle my semi-autos properly, and pleasant to practice with, that is, by subjective feel when I'm shooting them, they're maybe just a little less "peppy" than the factory practice ammo I have.

However, it's the learning process involved with reloading that has me most intrigued, and wanting to go up a level in knowledge and expertise. I've been considering buying a chronograph since it appears that there are a number available for $100-$200. Without ever having had one, it seems to me that a chrono would be a really convenient way to quantify my reload's performance, and that would be a good thing. I know at least one guy who's reloaded for decades and never had one, but if I could get one for maybe $100, I think I'd like to have one.

Do you experienced reloaders think an inexpensive chrono would be a worthwhile thing for me to get, as a way of more closely monitoring my reload performance? And if so, are there any features that would provide a lot more bang for the buck? (i.e. - buy entry level or spring for more stuff on it?) If I get one, I anticipate mostly using it at an outdoor range/club I belong to, with perhaps occasional use taking it to an indoor range with uncertain lighting. I'm reloading mostly for the hobby aspect of it, but the economy pleases me greatly too. So far at least I think I'm typical in that reloading isn't saving me $, but I am shooting more for the same $ (neglecting my capital outlay to buy the reloading equipment). I'm hoping that a chrono would help me learn and get more out of reloading as a hobby.

 

[Walkalong]

For years I taylored my loads by results on targets only. I bought a chrono a couple of years ago because they were, like you say, available for around $100 now. It has been fun playing with it and can be usefull. I have found some virtually identically performing loads accuracy and velocity wise where one had less recoil than the other. That is handy to know. It is handy for checking actual velocities against published data as well. Some data is pretty optimistic with their numbers. Some will fall right in line with actual results. The Speer manual #13 which I have and like usually has pretty good numbers.

 

[fineredmist]

A chronograph is a most useful tool. If you are serious about handloading, it is something that you should have as it will show you how consistent your rounds are which is very important information. I have a Shooting Chrony which works well for me and is reasonably priced. They are available in two styles, one with a remote readout and one without, go with the remote. The Master (remote) has a port for a printer hookup (I like mine) which makes life a little easier. The printer can be added at a later date.
Most chronographs will not work with indoor lighting and a special light setup is needed. The Shooting Chrony offers a light system for that purpose.
A chronograph is to shooting what a x ray is to medicine.

 

[Matt Dillon]

A chronograph is a most useful tool to use to refine your reloading data. I would suggest one that has the control unit separate from your screens, as it is only a matter of time before you accidentaly shoot one of your screens, and if it is integral with the chronograph "brain" you just bought a new chronograph!
I found a used Pact model on eBay for ~$60.00 a few years ago, and it is performed very well for me. The wires are about 15 feet from the screens, is very consistent, and does everything I need it to do.

 

[jmorris]

You don't need a chronograph, but you answered your own question.

"However, it's the learning process involved with reloading that has me most intrigued, and wanting to go up a level in knowledge and expertise."

CED, Competition Electronics, Pact and Shooting Chrony all offer indoor set ups. The CED and Pact are infrared; the CED uses a special NiMH rechargeable battery (sucks if you forget to charge and a spare costs over $45). The others offer an indoor lighting kit.

 

[Idano]

Unless you are one of those persons that constantly changes loads or calibers a lot a chronograph isn't necessarily needed but fun have. I am like Walkalong I have been reloading for years 33 years and just bought one this spring. So far I found four uses for a chronograph:

1. Determining the point where more powder will not move the bullet any faster down the barrel for that gun.
2. Helpful when switching powders and trying to duplicate other reloads when used in conjunction with a burn rate ad load data table.
3. Quantifying the consistency of your reloads.
4. Identifying your reloads actual velocity for each gun.

Needless to say a chronograph isn't going to tell you the accuracy of your reloads, only paper can do that for you.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Do you experienced reloaders think an inexpensive chrono would be a worthwhile thing for me to get, as a way of more closely monitoring my reload performance?

Absolutely. A chronograph is an essential tool -- if you use one regularly and systematically, it will tell you a great deal about your reloads.

And if so, are there any features that would provide a lot more bang for the buck? (i.e. - buy entry level or spring for more stuff on it?) If I get one, I anticipate mostly using it at an outdoor range/club I belong to, with perhaps occasional use taking it to an indoor range with uncertain lighting.

That's really up to you -- most chronographs have all sorts of capabilities, including memory, calculating mean and standard deviation, and so on. But you can do all that with a notebook and pencil -- and do the harder calculations on your computer.

The one thing you mentioned, using your chornograph indoors, would justify a light source that will work your chronograph reliably indoors.

 

[xsquidgator]

Thanks for all the information - I will be buying one of these before too much longer, then.

 

[Mark whiz]

I also found 1 other use for a Chrony besides those listed by Idano....................................I found I can shoot a paperwad at close to 1000fps with the right rubber band. No wonder those things can leave a welt.

 

[Clark]

I am on my third chronograph.
I shot holes through the first two.
The main use is for bragging about my 4200 fps .223 and my 1187fps 158 gr .380.

No animal will ever die because I have a chronograph.

And I kill allot of animals with lots of guns with lots of handloads.


The chono is just for bragging, mostly on the internet.