mmb617
Member
I'm still pretty new at this whole reloading thing and thought that having a chronograph would be useful. I'm loading what I think are relatively light loads but I wanted some real world numbers.
Before I got started I did some research and the one recurring theme I saw was "Don't shoot the chrono!". I guess that happens more than you might think, especially with rifles as sometimes folks don't take into consideration that the scope is mounted higher than the barrel bore thus causing real short range shots to hit low.
I got to the range and had it all to myself which was nice as I could take my time and setup any way I wanted. I thought it would be easier to set a target up directly behind the chrono rather than just aiming through the sunshield supports. I set the chrono up with the target behind it then moved the chrono out of the way for some test shots as I didn't want to take any chances.
I figured I didn't need any kind of rest for the pistol shots as it would be pretty bad if I couldn't get a real tight group when shooting from only 10 ft away, and that's how it worked out. After a couple rounds I was confident enough to move the chrono into position and get some numbers.
After a mag or so with the pistol I wanted to run the rifle and I could see how people wind up shooting the chrono. I briefly considered just shooting from a standing position but didn't feel comfortable taking the chance even at such a short distance, so I set up a little table to use the bipod. I once again set the chrono aside and tried a couple test shots. The rifle is sighted in for 100 yds so I knew it would be way off at 10 ft and it was low enough that if I'd been aiming with the crosshairs on the center of the target I probably would have hit the chrono.
I was able to figure out that if I used the 4th dot down on the vertical post the shot would hit the center, so I moved the chrono into position and ran off about a half a mag, with all shots hitting where I wanted them.
I really enjoyed this little exercise and I'm sure I'll do a lot more of it in the future. The numbers I got were pretty much what I expected with two different weights of bullets in 9mm and just one in .223.
The 115 grain FMJ 9 mm rounds averaged 1109 which is right about the center between the published minimum and maximum. I thought they'd be closer to the bottom so I'll try reducing the charge a bit and see if they still cycle properly.
The 124 grain FMJ rounds in 9 mm came in at 1051 which is close to the minimum but cycled perfectly so I'll leave them alone.
The rifle rounds averaged 2847 which is real close to the bottom, but again they cycled without a hitch so I'll probably leave them alone too.
Comments or suggestions are welcome. My feelings aren't easily hurt so if you want to point out something I'm doing all wrong, please do so.
Before I got started I did some research and the one recurring theme I saw was "Don't shoot the chrono!". I guess that happens more than you might think, especially with rifles as sometimes folks don't take into consideration that the scope is mounted higher than the barrel bore thus causing real short range shots to hit low.
I got to the range and had it all to myself which was nice as I could take my time and setup any way I wanted. I thought it would be easier to set a target up directly behind the chrono rather than just aiming through the sunshield supports. I set the chrono up with the target behind it then moved the chrono out of the way for some test shots as I didn't want to take any chances.
I figured I didn't need any kind of rest for the pistol shots as it would be pretty bad if I couldn't get a real tight group when shooting from only 10 ft away, and that's how it worked out. After a couple rounds I was confident enough to move the chrono into position and get some numbers.
After a mag or so with the pistol I wanted to run the rifle and I could see how people wind up shooting the chrono. I briefly considered just shooting from a standing position but didn't feel comfortable taking the chance even at such a short distance, so I set up a little table to use the bipod. I once again set the chrono aside and tried a couple test shots. The rifle is sighted in for 100 yds so I knew it would be way off at 10 ft and it was low enough that if I'd been aiming with the crosshairs on the center of the target I probably would have hit the chrono.
I was able to figure out that if I used the 4th dot down on the vertical post the shot would hit the center, so I moved the chrono into position and ran off about a half a mag, with all shots hitting where I wanted them.
I really enjoyed this little exercise and I'm sure I'll do a lot more of it in the future. The numbers I got were pretty much what I expected with two different weights of bullets in 9mm and just one in .223.
The 115 grain FMJ 9 mm rounds averaged 1109 which is right about the center between the published minimum and maximum. I thought they'd be closer to the bottom so I'll try reducing the charge a bit and see if they still cycle properly.
The 124 grain FMJ rounds in 9 mm came in at 1051 which is close to the minimum but cycled perfectly so I'll leave them alone.
The rifle rounds averaged 2847 which is real close to the bottom, but again they cycled without a hitch so I'll probably leave them alone too.
Comments or suggestions are welcome. My feelings aren't easily hurt so if you want to point out something I'm doing all wrong, please do so.