New Chronograph

[TexRN]

I have a new chronograph and understand how it works but what I have a question about is velocities. I have been reloading for a year but just got a chronograph so I want to maximize my load. My question is for each powder you have a min and a max load and a velocity is the velocity listed the optimum for that range starting load to max load or is it the max for the range.
Thanks

 

[jfdavis58]

Depends on the manual, but generally one velocity would be a maximum at the maximum charge weight; two velocities would show minimum and maximum corresponding to the min and max charge weights listed. These are numbers relative to the gun the guy writing the manual used and it may not be a 'real' gun at all but a piece of test equipment called a universal receiver. They are a guide only.

Working strictly for maximum load is ill advised except in certain magnum cartridges. One typically does better working for best function and greatest accuracy.

 

[TexRN]

Thanks jfdavis58

I think what I am really trying to find out is what velocity I should be trying to achieve. I think if I’m not wrong I should be aiming for the best velocity that maintains accuracy without reaching max load for the powder and type of bullet I am using. Thanks for you reply.

 

[JimKirk]

Tex
You got the right idea!

Be aware that some guns are the most accurate at max load (velocity), others at lower loads(velocity) and other go right down the middle. Then you have the same thing with different bullets, the high, middle & low velocity.

You may have two identical rifles, I mean twins, one shoots Hornadys better than Sierras, the other won't shoot Hornadys, but will pack Noslers into a dime. One rifle will get 3000 fps, the other only 2925 fps with the same load.

I guess that I am saying that reloading-shooting is like a puzzle, a lot of the peices look a like, but they only fit in one place. Finding where all the peices fit is the fun part.

Jimmy K