How to use a Chronograph.

[Mark_Mark]

Magneto Speed is cool! I wish they would sell a pistol adapter

 

[barnfrog]

Magneto Speed is cool! I wish they would sell a pistol adapter

There are ways to make it work, depending on what gun you're using. Their advertising says they can be used on "long revolvers," and I've seen threads discussing people using rails to attach the bayonet to certain semi-autos. Google "magnetospeed handgun" and you should find some info pretty quick.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Magneto Speed is cool! I wish they would sell a pistol adapter

I bet you could make one using a scope ring for the light/laser rail.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I bet you could make one using a scope ring for the light/laser rail.

Magneto Speed tripod adapter!

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/easy-way-to-setup-a-magnetospeed-off-a-barrel.246506/

 

[Varminterror]

Extreme Spread (ES), aka Range = Max - min

Average, aka mean = sum of the samples divided by the number of samples

Standard Deviation = square root of the sum of the squares of the differences between the individual values and the average, divided by the number of values SD = sqrt(sum(Xi - Xbar)^2/n) where xi are the individual samples, n is number of samples, xbar is the average.

In general, if you have SD to ES relationship which isn’t 1:4-1:6, you know you don’t have a representative dataset. When a guy says he has an ES of 15 and an SD of 7, we know something is wonky - dude most likely shot only 3shots…

For long range shooting, single digit SD is desirable, which then corresponds to 20-40fps ballpark ES.

Obviously, Average goes into your ballistic solver.

But most importantly to me, a chronograph has SIGNIFICANTLY shortened my load development process. I can shoot 34-40 rounds and be done - 10 rounds to foul and establish a rough zero, then 24-30 rounds as 3x through 8-10 charge weights. Done.

I’ll shoot that triplicate test, pick a flat spot in the curve, and load in the node. In this example, the flat spot between 41.6 and 41.8 tells me I can load 41.7grn and have a LOT of room for error in the reloading room without moving my impacts up or down target at 1,000yrds+.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Extreme Spread (ES), aka Range = Max - min

Average, aka mean = sum of the samples divided by the number of samples

Standard Deviation = square root of the sum of the squares of the differences between the individual values and the average, divided by the number of values SD = sqrt(sum(Xi - Xbar)^2/n) where xi are the individual samples, n is number of samples, xbar is the average.

In general, if you have SD to ES relationship which isn’t 1:4-1:6, you know you don’t have a representative dataset. When a guy says he has an ES of 15 and an SD of 7, we know something is wonky - dude most likely shot only 3shots…

For long range shooting, single digit SD is desirable, which then corresponds to 20-40fps ballpark ES.

Obviously, Average goes into your ballistic solver.

But most importantly to me, a chronograph has SIGNIFICANTLY shortened my load development process. I can shoot 34-40 rounds and be done - 10 rounds to foul and establish a rough zero, then 24-30 rounds as 3x through 8-10 charge weights. Done.

I’ll shoot that triplicate test, pick a flat spot in the curve, and load in the node. In this example, the flat spot between 41.6 and 41.8 tells me I can load 41.7grn and have a LOT of room for error in the reloading room without moving my impacts up or down target at 1,000yrds+.

View attachment 1069383

I was about to post the same thing!

 

[Hikingman]

Several you-tube vids helped me get with it.

 

[redcon1]

The MagnetoSpeed is great. I use a close-fitting wooden dowel in the barrel that extends over the bayonet sensor to make sure there is sufficient clearance over it, when setting it up. From what I've heard, you can shoot these, as well. Haven't done that yet!

It seems like it would be very shootable. You definitely have to line everything up but I suspect it's easier to line up a magnetospeed than a shooting Chrony and I'm sure there will be fewer error codes. I think I'll order it later today.

 

[Varminterror]

I’ve skipped bullets off of the bayonet of my Magnetospeed. Skid marks, but no damage. So yeah, you CAN shoot your Magnetospeed, but it’s a lot harder with significantly less consequence than shooting an optical chronograph.

 

[JFrank]

Should I take the ammo I worked up to the range and find what the gun shoots best and then chronograph or shoot each round of each charge through the chronograph? I loaded 5 of each from start to close to max going up 3 tenths of a grain each load.

I use a paper target first with intentions of chronograph at a later date but many times I just fore go the data, it really depends on the goal. They are a useful tool for drop charts for engaging multiple targets at different distances but for long range BR not so much, rather we tune the entire platform with great care or come in last place and know ask’s what’s your ES/SD.

 

[Varminterror]

Should I take the ammo I worked up to the range and find what the gun shoots best and then chronograph or shoot each round of each charge through the chronograph? I loaded 5 of each from start to close to max going up 3 tenths of a grain each load.

Shoot this array of charge weights across the chronograph. If you can do this while aiming at a single target/POA at 600 yards also, even better. This combines a Satterlee test with an Audette ladder, which is a means to get two birds with one stone. You’ll have velocity node and POI node correlation data, all in one test.

 

[roque5]

Two suggestions, 1; replace the metal rods with wooden dowels, in the rare, haha, event that they are hit they will just break and not do any damage to the chrono, you can spray paint them red too,, 2; Place a target directly, 12 inches behind the chrono, with the bullseye right where you want the Bullet path to travel correctly w/o damage and right over the sensors. I guess number 3 would be , buy a spare chronograph.

 

[gifbohane]

I placed red and green ribbons on the top and bottom of the rods in order to find them in my sights.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I placed red and green ribbons on the top and bottom of the rods in order to find them in my sights.

Good idea! That will make them much easier to hit!

 

[Mark_Mark]

Also, but your chrono from Amazon, they have a 60 warranty and 90 if you contact them.

yes, I shot my Amazon chrono and it became defective .. easy return

 

[gifbohane]

Good idea! That will make them much easier to hit!

Problem is I had more success hitting the Chrono and its parts when I was trying to miss.

 

[jmorris]

I use a paper target first with intentions of chronograph at a later date

This is a great idea! So you have already fired the firearm, with the ammunition one intends to chronograph. The results on paper show you exactly where the bullets are impacting.

Like this, fire the first shot. High left, adjust sighting device and follow up, once repeatability is established, move in the chronograph.



Even if I am 100 yards away it seems this is a safer method than people that kill their chronograph at 10ft with the first shot they take in its general direction.

I guess the chronograph killers just don’t take into account point of aim/point of impact at 10ft like they do at normal target distances. Either that or they are attempting to chronograph ammunition that is so inaccurate, any information that could have been recorded would have been useless anyway.

 

[mokin]

This is a great idea! So you have already fired the firearm, with the ammunition one intends to chronograph. The results on paper show you exactly where the bullets are impacting.

Like this, fire the first shot. High left, adjust sighting device and follow up, once repeatability is established, move in the chronograph.

View attachment 1069737

Even if I am 100 yards away it seems this is a safer method than people that kill their chronograph at 10ft with the first shot they take in its general direction.

That's what my setup looks like when I chronograph loads.

I guess the chronograph killers just don’t take into account point of aim/point of impact at 10ft like they do at normal target distances. Either that or they are attempting to chronograph ammunition that is so inaccurate, any information that could have been recorded would have been useless anyway.

I was starting to work up loads for a .30 Carbine and couldn't hit the paper at 50 yards. Eventually I got the paper in close enough to print a consistent group. I was using published data and didn't feel I had a reason to suspect anything crazy. When I chronographed the load I found it was much faster than it should have been. I was able to reduce the load to where it was "accurate" but by then I reduced the power to the point the carbine began experiencing difficulty operating.