Should I buy a chronograph?

[tts]

I'm just getting started with reloading (handgun cartridges) and am still adding tools to my collection. I've read that a chronograph is THE tool to have to ensure you get the most accuracy out of your rounds.

Should I plunge and make the investment in the ProChrono? If so, do most ranges (indoor/outdoor) allow you to use a chronograph? When you chronograph your shots, are you just looking for the load that produces the maximum velocity and is most accurate (grouping)?

 

[wr400]

I wouldnt want to be with out mine!

 

[dprice3844444]

best way to verify loads especially dealing with garands

 

[Japle]

I couldn't get along without my chrono. I have a Shooting Chrony Alpha Master. Not expensive and very easy to get the info you need.

 

[BADUNAME37]

It does take some set up time, a bit longer than just clipping a target to a clip and running it down the pulley-line. In fact, it means you will need to set it up in front of the bench, which, in some ranges may be illegal or improper.

However, I agree, I thought for over 25 years that my varmint rifle was shooting about 400 feet slower per second than it actually is, suddenly, I realized why anything over about 250 yards, I was missing, here I had been holding a bit too high and from 250 yards on out to 500, I was shooting over the woodchucks' heads! As soon as I knew the proper FPS, my gun was never as accurate as it is now!

I ended up at Midway getting a ShootingChrony f1 on sale for like $78.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You can load good ammo without a chrono BUT, now that I have one I wouldn't want to do without it. There is no other credible way to know the really velocity achieved by a load without one. Guessing is just not enough and the load manuals are of no use when it comes to approximating velocity...

 

[GCBurner]

I reloaded without one for years, going by the velocity figures in the loading manuals. Now, though, the price on them has dropped so low that it just makes sense to pick one up and know for sure what your loads are doing. As mentioned, the Shooting Chrony F1 sells for well under $100 most places.

 

[Walkalong]

I've read that a chronograph is THE tool to have to ensure you get the most accuracy out of your rounds.

The only thing that will give you the best accuracy is on target results. Low ES & SD numbers are nice, but for pistol shooting are not real important unless you shoot longe range. As far as that goes, it is about the same for rifle. A chrono will let you know what FPS the loads are actually going, and the results can be surprising at times. They are a nice toy to have, and are a good investment, but don't get caught up in worrying about nothing but numbers.

 

[1SOW]

The only thing that will give you the best accuracy is on target results. Low ES & SD numbers are nice, but for pistol shooting are not real important unless you shoot longe range. As far as that goes, it is about the same for rifle. A chrono will let you know what FPS the loads are actually going, and the results can be surprising at times. They are a nice toy to have, and are a good investment, but don't get caught up in worrying about nothing but numbers.

I agree with mostly all of that statement. The detail numbers are interesting to 'talk' about but don't necessarily give you the beef.
If you load for a minimum/maximum specific speed range for comp. or bullet expansion or range capabilty, the chrono is super beneficial. Your gun barrel is not like the load data gun bbl that established the published load.

You shoot a 2.5" SD pistol and the published data is rated against a 4" test barrel. What's the speed change. Glock? Khar?
You sight your .223 in at a hundred and want to be able to shoot 400. Bullet speed can be useful.

If you are building a load with little published data to guide you, the chrono can be a big safety factor to prevent over-pressure risks.
I just did this last week with a new pistol powder for a 135gr bullet that didn't show up on any published data for 9mm pistol. I started with data above and below that bullet weight, tried to stay conservative and it shot pretty well. The chrono showed it was too slow for my uses. I know I can bump up the load a little and get the speed where I want it. Like Walkalong said you have "shoot it" to test for accuracy and feel.

YMMV

A lot of people say they can "feel" enough to know safe/approximate bullet speeds. I don't believe that for a second. It can be really surprising to see actual speed when you thought it was something way different.

 

[kludge]

After my press, the chonograph is my most important reloading tool. Or maybe it's the other way around.

 

[Hondo 60]

A lot of people say they can "feel" enough to know safe/approximate bullet speeds. I don't believe that for a second. It can be really surprising to see actual speed when you thought it was something way different.

I say Amen, brother!

A chronograph isn't going to improve accuracy, by itself.
All it can tell you is how fast the bullet is going,.

But, from that, and other signs, you can make a guestimate at pressure.
You can also tell the extreme spread & standard deviation.

These numbers will assist in making consistent ammo.
And I guess consistency will help with accuracy.

In the end, I would definitely recommend to every reloader that they get a chronograph.

 

[cfullgraf]

You can reload without a chronograph, but I would not be without one. I have learned alot about my reloading and how many variables there are.

Chronographs are one of those tools that are difficult to justify before using but you cannot live without them once you do obtain one.

I "calibrate" with factory ammunition virtually all of my firearms. I know the velocity factory ammunition shoots put my guns. This helps with working up loads. I have an idea if my barrels are tight or loose in the chamber which affects velocity and pressure.

I can adjust loads to match others. This is important to match, or not to match, specific loads. Example, loads for my Mq Garands.

Chronographs are not the be all to end all, but provide more information on the reloading puzzle.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'll be the odd man out and say I can live without one. Matter of fact, I loaded for nearly 20 years before buying one. My accuracy usually dictated my powder charges. Most of the time, I found my best groups somewhere between min and max and called it a day....As far as handguns rounds go, I definitely can live without one. I loaded tens of thousands of rounds without one and don't do anything any different now that I have a chronograph.

 

[littlebob3]

How many feet in front of the gun do you place it to get a reading?

 

[41 Mag]

How many feet in front of the gun do you place it to get a reading?

For me it depends, on average I use 15', but with some I only need 10 and other I need 20. It depends on the caliber and the load, if your shooting say anything in .223 then your not pushing that much muzzle blast, but hop up to a .270 and you can easily blow your readings.

It only takes a little time to have it all worked out on which needs to be further out or closer in, or you could simply pick the furthermost one and run with it.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

Don't forget to buy a tripod too! I bought a tall one intended for cameras that is rated to hold about 5 lbs. and it has worked fine.

You can get a whole set up for less than $120. For me, it has been money well spent.

Good Luck.

Dan

 

[918v]

I'm just getting started with reloading (handgun cartridges) and am still adding tools to my collection. I've read that a chronograph is THE tool to have to ensure you get the most accuracy out of your rounds.

A chrono is the last thing you should buy for accuracy testing. If you think that single digit extreme spreads automatically mean sub-MOA accuracy, you'll be very disappointed.

 

[Furncliff]

Go ahead and get one, they're not expensive, they're fun to play with and anything that gives you more insight into what your hand loads are doing is a good thing.

I got one thinking it was an absolute necessity for producing the most accurate handgun loads. In my experience they are not. You need to be careful you don't get distracted by all the data.

 

[griff383]

Its a great tool to have if you can afford it. I usually use mine when developing loads just to make sure Im not running things too hot. It also came in real handy when I was loading for my shorter barreled handguns. I was looking acheive a high enough velocity to make sure that the XTPs I was using would open up properly

 

[35 Whelen]

Absolutely get one. But spend a little extra and buy a good one. I have a Chrony Beta Master and it's been sitting unused under my loading bench for several years because it's a P.O.S. It got to the point where it was giving erroneous readings then finally quite all together. Plus I never liked the idea of all the electronics being out there with the bullets whizzing within inches of them (as in the case of the Chrony F1 and many others). Also most of the really inexpensvie ones require walk to the chronograph to reset them. This is not so bad on a private range, but a royal pain on a public range as you have to wait for everyone to finish shooting so you can reset your chronograph.
I've owned two since the Chrony, a Pro Tach (stolen) and now a CED Millenium. Both work great and have built in computers and calculators. the CED also has option infrared sensors which will work under ANY light conditions including total darkness...in case you like to shoot in the dark. I'm going to buy a set for my chronograph soon.

You might check Midway USA as their products are reviewed. Looks like the ProChrono gets good reveiws, but it's one of the "out in front of the gun" units.

Good luck,
35W

 

[popper]

Probably the LAST reloading tool I would get. Unless you need to calculate PF or have leading problems. Consider why you need to know speed. If it shoots higher than factory, it's faster. Lower, it's slower. NO effect on accuracy. If you get sloppy reloadng, the target will show it first. If you want and can afford it, get it - it won't hurt a thing.

 

[Offfhand]

I always get a chuckle when I'm at a public shooting range watching some shooters messing with their chronographs. Most of whom appear to have little notion of what they are doing except trying to impress onlookers with their "expertise." Looking at their targets however it's pretty obvious that most would fare better to stop worrying about comparing velocities and concentrate on developing their handloading and shooting skills. The bottom line is that what your target tells you always trumps what your chrono tells you. Bench rest competition shooters are the most expert and particular hand loaders on the planet, yet very few who I know ever bother chronographing their loads, or even own one of the things. So go figue.

 

[35 Whelen]

Consider why you need to know speed.

In recent years, it's come to the attention of many who handload for a living (i.e.- writers such as those who contribute to mags such as Handloader and Rifle) that the chronograph is a wonderful tool for monitoring the pressure of handloads. I've read many times from several writers. As loads are worked up, velocities are watched for sharp ot unexpected increases which indicate rising chamber pressures.

35W

 

[W.E.G.]

If you don't know why you need a chronograph, then you don't need one.

 

[Walkalong]

As loads are worked up, velocities are watched for sharp ot unexpected increases which indicate rising chamber pressures.

It is also good for showing when it gets to the point where there is no real gain in FPS for the increases in powder.