do i really need a chrono?
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buck460XVR
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Do you need one? Probably not. I've had one for about 6 years now and used it maybe 5 times. None of the times I used it were the loads I was testing dangerous. One time was just to see how far off the factory claims were. I stay within published loads, and load for accuracy and not velocity. I could see myself never using my chrono again.....but since I have it, I probably will. Chronos only got affordable for the average handloader maybe a decade ago. Before then, almost nobody I knew had them and nobody blew up a gun.
W.E.G.
Member
No.
You don't NEED one.
The more experimentation you do, the more it tends to be useful.
There's a tried-and-true load (usually several) for every caliber.
There is no point in shooting tried-and-true loads over a chronograph.
You don't NEED one.
The more experimentation you do, the more it tends to be useful.
There's a tried-and-true load (usually several) for every caliber.
There is no point in shooting tried-and-true loads over a chronograph.
LiveLife
Member
I don't think a chrono is a must.
If I was using the same reloading components listed in the published load data (cases with same internal volume, bullets, primers, OAL/COLs) for the same length of barrel and stay below max powder charge, probably not and aim for smallest shot group size.
If I was using different bullets/OAL, primers with different flash size/duration and/or cases with less internal volume (commercial vs military) at near/max powder charges, I would be more careful with my work up. Verifying muzzle velocities with a chrono would not be essential but would give confirmations.
If I was using the same reloading components listed in the published load data (cases with same internal volume, bullets, primers, OAL/COLs) for the same length of barrel and stay below max powder charge, probably not and aim for smallest shot group size.
If I was using different bullets/OAL, primers with different flash size/duration and/or cases with less internal volume (commercial vs military) at near/max powder charges, I would be more careful with my work up. Verifying muzzle velocities with a chrono would not be essential but would give confirmations.
AzShooter1
Member
A chrono will tell you how good your reloading practices are. You can tell a good load by the variations in speed and standard deviation.
If you shoot competition it's a musts so you can verify your loads are making the Power Factor required.
For just paper punching, you don't need one but it's nice to borrow one to see what's going on with your ammo.
Once I get the data I need for the ammo I'm using, I'm good to go and don't need to chrono again. Only if I change bullets, primers, brass and powder charges.
I tend to run on the edge and need to confirm my data.
If you shoot competition it's a musts so you can verify your loads are making the Power Factor required.
For just paper punching, you don't need one but it's nice to borrow one to see what's going on with your ammo.
Once I get the data I need for the ammo I'm using, I'm good to go and don't need to chrono again. Only if I change bullets, primers, brass and powder charges.
I tend to run on the edge and need to confirm my data.
Toprudder
Member
Do you need one? No. Is a chrono nice to have? Yes.
I have one (actually, two) and I use it a LOT. I've done a lot of pistol caliber workups, with different bullets and powders (I'm over 30 powders) and I find the feedback from the chrono to be very valuable during the process. But, my favorite plinking loads in 380, 9, and 40, I arrived at before I had a chrono.
I have one (actually, two) and I use it a LOT. I've done a lot of pistol caliber workups, with different bullets and powders (I'm over 30 powders) and I find the feedback from the chrono to be very valuable during the process. But, my favorite plinking loads in 380, 9, and 40, I arrived at before I had a chrono.
Can you reload excellent ammunition without a chronograph, yes.
But, the chronograph provides information that cannot be obtained any other way.
I feel it falls in the tool category, "You cannot justify it when you don't own one but cannot live without out it once you get it."
I do not use mine alot, several times a year, but it gets heavy use for a few sessions.
With basic chronographs running in the sub $100 region, cost should not be an impediment.
But, the chronograph provides information that cannot be obtained any other way.
I feel it falls in the tool category, "You cannot justify it when you don't own one but cannot live without out it once you get it."
I do not use mine alot, several times a year, but it gets heavy use for a few sessions.
With basic chronographs running in the sub $100 region, cost should not be an impediment.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
I have a few thoughts. The Hornady manual is merely listing velocities that Hornady came up with during their testing with the rifle or fixture they tested with, including the barrel length. With a chronograph your results will vary and I doubt you will get the same numbers. Do you "need" a chronograph? I doubt it but is a chronograph a nice to have? Yes, it is a nice to have. Additionally. per cfullgraf's post above the chronograph was once a feature limited tool that was very expensive while today they are very inexpensive and feature packed.
More important than trying to chase the numbers in a reloading manual is learning how to inspect your fired brass for signs of pressure as you work up a load using the manual as a guideline. A simple Google of "brass cartridge pressure signs" or similar will get you going as well as "pressure signs on rifle brass".
Ron
rayatphonix
Member
AzShooter1 A chrono will tell you how good your reloading practices are.
I disagree. In my case it showed me how poor my reloading practices were:banghead:
Seriously, it made me very aware that I needed to do some things differently and I think it's made me a better reloader and shooter. Did I have to have it? Absolutely not. But I'm sure glad I bought it.
I disagree. In my case it showed me how poor my reloading practices were:banghead:
Seriously, it made me very aware that I needed to do some things differently and I think it's made me a better reloader and shooter. Did I have to have it? Absolutely not. But I'm sure glad I bought it.
It depends, if you are the average reloader that only uses loads found in a reloading manual, and your rifle and cartridge components match those used by the developers of the reloading manual, then no.
On the other hand, if you want to develop a precision load a combination of cartridge components not listed in any manual then yes, you need to use a chronograph.
Most people that reload are just that, reloaders, others are what I call hand loaders, they are the guys that will go where ever the testing points them. These are the people that need a chronograph. These guys will use any bullet, case, primer, and powder combination that produces the results that they are looking for, even if that component combination isn't listed in any manual...and that can cause problems that a chronograph can warn you about. A good example is the fact that most reloaders don't realize that bullets of the same weight and general shape from different manufacturers don't produce the same speeds or pressures. Using a Sierra load recommendation with Hornady bullets will most likely produce higher pressures and faster speeds than the Sierra manual lists. That wont mean much for most people because they are well within the range of safe loads, but if you might want to be aware of the difference in pressures and speeds if you are working on a 300 Win Mag for 1100 yard targets.
A chronograph will also help develop a bullet drop table that you can use as a basis for estimated bullet drops at various ranges. Without the chronograph you can't really know what the muzzle velocity is and you will only be guessing at how much drop you have a various ranges, that's real problem is you ever want to work on your medium to long range shooting skills.
On the other hand, if you want to develop a precision load a combination of cartridge components not listed in any manual then yes, you need to use a chronograph.
Most people that reload are just that, reloaders, others are what I call hand loaders, they are the guys that will go where ever the testing points them. These are the people that need a chronograph. These guys will use any bullet, case, primer, and powder combination that produces the results that they are looking for, even if that component combination isn't listed in any manual...and that can cause problems that a chronograph can warn you about. A good example is the fact that most reloaders don't realize that bullets of the same weight and general shape from different manufacturers don't produce the same speeds or pressures. Using a Sierra load recommendation with Hornady bullets will most likely produce higher pressures and faster speeds than the Sierra manual lists. That wont mean much for most people because they are well within the range of safe loads, but if you might want to be aware of the difference in pressures and speeds if you are working on a 300 Win Mag for 1100 yard targets.
A chronograph will also help develop a bullet drop table that you can use as a basis for estimated bullet drops at various ranges. Without the chronograph you can't really know what the muzzle velocity is and you will only be guessing at how much drop you have a various ranges, that's real problem is you ever want to work on your medium to long range shooting skills.
I was going to shoot up a box of .243 factory loaded ammo once,the first shot I knew something was wrong.Heavy recoil for a .243,very loud report and bright muzzle flash.I was afrade to keep firing but I had to know what was happening.I set up my Chronograph and fired one more round.Same results and over 200 FPS over advertised velocity on the box.I contacted the Mfg. of the ammo and they made it right to my satisfaction.Everyone who shoots a lot should own a chronograph. hdbiker
JimKirk
Member
Do you need a chronograph ....NO! Do you need a clock ... NO!
But guessing the time if you use the Sun will be more accurate than guessing your velocity!
I have clock ... I have stop clock(Chronograph) ... Both help me with the time...
But guessing the time if you use the Sun will be more accurate than guessing your velocity!
I have clock ... I have stop clock(Chronograph) ... Both help me with the time...
Hondo 60
Member
Need???? No
But it's another tool to help you create very good ammo.
But there's LOTSA reloaders that don't have one.
Just be careful
There ain't but 2 kinds of chronograph users...
1. Them that's shot theirs
2. Them that's gonna shoot theirs.
I'll admit, I'm in the first category.
Scoped rifles are the bane of a chronograph's existence.
But it's another tool to help you create very good ammo.
But there's LOTSA reloaders that don't have one.
Just be careful
There ain't but 2 kinds of chronograph users...
1. Them that's shot theirs
2. Them that's gonna shoot theirs.
I'll admit, I'm in the first category.
Scoped rifles are the bane of a chronograph's existence.
NeuseRvrRat
Member
Definitely not a necessity. Folks handloaded for decades without them. They're nice to have if you're the type of person who likes to play with data or if you just want more feedback on your loads. I didn't actively seek one. Just waited and eventually a quality used unit showed up for sale online.
Now that causes me concern. My next planned outing with the chrono is to be a scoped AR15.
To the OP, nope, but chronographs do serve a good purpose, as others here have stated.
People reload for two possible reasons, to make more ammo available and/or to make better ammo, in either case it would be nice to know that the ammo is functioning within safe limits.
Yes, there are a lot of things that people have done for decades without the benefit of modern tools or knowledge and as long as you are satisfied with producing ammo that's no different than what was built decades ago then so-be-it.
Yes, there are a lot of things that people have done for decades without the benefit of modern tools or knowledge and as long as you are satisfied with producing ammo that's no different than what was built decades ago then so-be-it.
Reefinmike
Member
I bought a caldwell chronograph for $75 shipped on amazon after 4 years of reloading and I certainly dont regret that purchase. simply download an app on your smart phone, plug it in and you can record all of your load data, calculate muzzle energy, ES, SD, velocity, save pictures of targets and much more. It is an extremely handy device to have around. for target shooters, the only thing that really matters is how well they print on paper but it certainly is nice to see evidence as to why those loads are grouping tighter. most velocities published in manuals are a good bit faster than any real world data you will collect. It is also nice to be able to see the trend in velocity change as you work your way towards max. The chronograph and WFT case trimmers are my top two favorite reloading items ever purchased.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
First I walk down to the 100 yard line and post my targets, normally 4 targets. Then I return to my shooting bench which is inline with my targets. On the bench I setup one of my rifles and place my scope on one of my targets. Then I setup my chronograph about 10 to 15 feet downrange of the muzzle and inline with the muzzle. I only look at and align with the muzzle and place the screens so the muzzle is centered.
The only time I did manage to shoot one of the screens I clipped the side of one and that was using a handgun. Been using the above screens for over 20 years now. When I replaced the slat I nicked I went ahead and bought some more spares.
Ron
Shooting out your chronograph is proof of the statement "Haste makes Waste."
Take your time, be aware of the scope offset from the barrel and have fun.
(I've had two chronographs expire from "lead poisoning."
)
spitballer
Member
IMO a chronograph is a very worthwhile investment of $100 - $120 for the reloader who wants to understand what's happening inside his/her barrel. Using the chrony helps me determine where nodes are.
For example, with my .223 bolt rifle I may find that a given powder pushes a 55gr bullet to 3240 fps easily, but it takes a lot of pushing to go past that velocity. This tells me that I'm getting full obturation (love that word) at 3240 fps, and pushing much harder isn't going to be worth the copper fouling it produces if I'm target shooting with that powder.
One important point that I've discovered is that published load data appears to be based on the first shot out of an unheated barrel. Therefore I always write down my first shot of the day and make adjustments based on that figure.
So, using the example above, if my first shot of the day was 3195 fps, I would adjust the powder charge to give me 3240 on the first shot, and try another group after the barrel has fully cooled and been scrupulously cleaned.
Nodes can be subtle and chrony archives can be "fascinating", indeed. Good luck to you.
For example, with my .223 bolt rifle I may find that a given powder pushes a 55gr bullet to 3240 fps easily, but it takes a lot of pushing to go past that velocity. This tells me that I'm getting full obturation (love that word) at 3240 fps, and pushing much harder isn't going to be worth the copper fouling it produces if I'm target shooting with that powder.
One important point that I've discovered is that published load data appears to be based on the first shot out of an unheated barrel. Therefore I always write down my first shot of the day and make adjustments based on that figure.
So, using the example above, if my first shot of the day was 3195 fps, I would adjust the powder charge to give me 3240 on the first shot, and try another group after the barrel has fully cooled and been scrupulously cleaned.
Nodes can be subtle and chrony archives can be "fascinating", indeed. Good luck to you.
GBExpat
Member
Do you have a place where you can readily use it? Are you planning on developing many different loads? If your answer to both of those is Yes, then, IMO, you "need" a chrono.
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