Measuring Speed
- Thread starter pleopard
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jr_watkins
Member
chronograph
We use chronographs, there are several types, I have the one shown in the link below:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph
Hand loading without a chronograph is like shooting in the dark IMHO.
We use chronographs, there are several types, I have the one shown in the link below:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph
Hand loading without a chronograph is like shooting in the dark IMHO.
CMV
Member
I go to a 500 yd range & shoot at steel plates. I have a stopwatch in one hand & the rifle in the other. I start the stopwatch when I fire & click it again when I hear the steel ring. Then subtract the amount of time it takes sound to travel 500 yds. Then just divide the result by 500.
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J/K - I use the base model Chrony. Here's a link for $83 & free shipping if you have amazon prime. http://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Chrony-F-1-Chronograph-green/dp/B001BR3364
Works well but has a learning curve (lighting) & many limitations that better models don't have. For just checking loads it's fine.
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J/K - I use the base model Chrony. Here's a link for $83 & free shipping if you have amazon prime. http://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Chrony-F-1-Chronograph-green/dp/B001BR3364
Works well but has a learning curve (lighting) & many limitations that better models don't have. For just checking loads it's fine.
Potatohead
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2013
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- 5,375
What do you do, shoot through it I guess (the 2 triangle-ish thingys)?
Is it fairly simple to operate?
Jesse Heywood
Member
Two problems (for me) with a chronograph.
You can't use one on an indoor range since you need to set up the screens ahead of the shooting station.
Some idiot keeps shooting the screens. Must be the guy beside me, cuz I can't hit the broad side of a barn.
You can't use one on an indoor range since you need to set up the screens ahead of the shooting station.
Some idiot keeps shooting the screens. Must be the guy beside me, cuz I can't hit the broad side of a barn.
A ballistic pendulum also works as well. A benefit, no batteries to replace.
Yes, there are many low cost options for the firearm enthusiast. The difference in cost is generally related to the options and features each chronogrph has.
Most will have a bit of a learning curve to figure out their idiosyncrasies but they are not insurmountable.
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
The one I bought is the PACT Model 1 XP and I'm very happy with it. I like the fact only the sensors are in harms way while the Chrono itself sits safely on the bench next to you.
oneounceload
member
Yes, you shoot under the skyscreens so the sensors pick up the bullet passing through. You need to set the chrono several feet from the muzzle (RTFM for your model)
I do not understand how folks shoot the equipment. I use a chrono to check my shotgun reloads and for that the unit needs to be 6 feet from the muzzle, not the normal 3 and all those pellets have never even nicked the screens
I do not understand how folks shoot the equipment. I use a chrono to check my shotgun reloads and for that the unit needs to be 6 feet from the muzzle, not the normal 3 and all those pellets have never even nicked the screens
For me, haste made waste. i was trying to get done before it started raining harder.
Chronographs don't take too kindly to 45 caliber, 230 RN.
Hondo 60
Member
Yes, it's VERY simple to operate.
The 2 triangle-ish thingys are called sky screens.
On the base of the chronograph, under the sky screens are sensors.
It times how fast the bullets travels between the sensors.
Just be VERY careful.
My observation:
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.
Jim Watson
Member
Phil Sharpe published charts and graphs for use in determining velocity by listening to muzzle blast and bullet shock wave.
witchhunter
Member
Almost everyone I know has shot their chronograph! Or I have. Can't explain it, order some new sticks to hold up the screens when you order your unit, save some down time.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I don't know what Chrono you own but every one I've used required a distance from the muzzle blast of between 10 to 14 feet. If you are setting your sensors only 3 feet from the muzzle I'm fairly sure the shock wave is falsifying your results.
CAUTION!
I shot through my screens with un-benched firearms for years without mishap. One day I let a friend, an accomplished shooter, do the same and he flinched thereby killing the first screen. He said, “No way I did that.” I said, “You an I are the only ones here and you were the only one shooting.”
Long story short, he said he was going to pay for the damage, but that never happened. Moral: No one shoots through my chrono unless the gun is benched… as in resting on sandbags or some similar device.
I shot through my screens with un-benched firearms for years without mishap. One day I let a friend, an accomplished shooter, do the same and he flinched thereby killing the first screen. He said, “No way I did that.” I said, “You an I are the only ones here and you were the only one shooting.”
Long story short, he said he was going to pay for the damage, but that never happened. Moral: No one shoots through my chrono unless the gun is benched… as in resting on sandbags or some similar device.
45_auto
Member
CMV said:
Have you found any practical use in knowing the speed of your bullet in seconds per yard?
Just divide 1500 by your calculated time, and you'll get feet per second like everyone else uses.
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Hondo 60
Member
Period!
I will shoot your gun if you want it to be chrono'ed
also - wood dowels work wonders.
The ones that came with my chrono were metal.
If you hit the metal, it'll knock the chrono down, possibly damaging it.
Wooden dowels just break.
nudder thing to think about - don't shoot snake shot shells a crossed it.
They spread out too fast.
jcwit
member
For me accuracy is what counts, the speed of the bullet is of little consequence.
Speed counts as nothing if you can't hit what you're aiming at.
A tumbling bullet from a high velocity load can get lucky and hit it. Guess how I know!
Fella's;
A good chrono can give you a lot of information besides just velocity.
"For me accuracy is what counts, the speed of the bullet is of little consequence.
Speed counts as nothing if you can't hit what you're aiming at."
When you get out there a few yards the average difference in velocity between shots makes a real difference. The point of impact really is going to be in a markedly different place if bullet B leaves the muzzle at 46 fps faster or slower than bullet A. Therefore, Standard Deviation, is an important bit of information a chrono can provide.
Or, if the book gives 3000 fps for a load you're using, but you're getting 3186 fps on the chrony, you would be well advised to find out why that's so. It's highly likely that the major factor that's making your bullets go 186 fps faster is increased pressure behind them. (Yes I know there's other factors, but they're rare & esoteric and not germain to the point I'm making) When you go over published velocities you'd better know what you're doing & exactly why it's happening. Without a chronograph you really are in the dark. KABOOMS can make the dark a very unpleasant place to be.
900F
__________________
A good chrono can give you a lot of information besides just velocity.
"For me accuracy is what counts, the speed of the bullet is of little consequence.
Speed counts as nothing if you can't hit what you're aiming at."
When you get out there a few yards the average difference in velocity between shots makes a real difference. The point of impact really is going to be in a markedly different place if bullet B leaves the muzzle at 46 fps faster or slower than bullet A. Therefore, Standard Deviation, is an important bit of information a chrono can provide.
Or, if the book gives 3000 fps for a load you're using, but you're getting 3186 fps on the chrony, you would be well advised to find out why that's so. It's highly likely that the major factor that's making your bullets go 186 fps faster is increased pressure behind them. (Yes I know there's other factors, but they're rare & esoteric and not germain to the point I'm making) When you go over published velocities you'd better know what you're doing & exactly why it's happening. Without a chronograph you really are in the dark. KABOOMS can make the dark a very unpleasant place to be.
900F
__________________
jcwit
member
Being as I can shoot one hole groups in a 5 shot string at 100 yards, speed or deviation is of little importance.
In regards to pistol accuracy in my case having polio in my teens my shaking makes accuracy a non issue. Heck I'd likely blow a chro to smithereens.
In regards to pistol accuracy in my case having polio in my teens my shaking makes accuracy a non issue. Heck I'd likely blow a chro to smithereens.
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