Who doesn't have a chronograph?

[GBExpat]

I went many years without one, until they got cheap, as in the neighborhood of $100.

This.

 

[Hartkopf]

 

[AK Hunter]

I have one but I only use it when I get a new load to work. Once I get a load developed I just hold to that load, I don't keep trying to tune it.

 

[Skgreen]

Not yet. I'm still in the 'Beginner's/Recreational/Hobbyist' stage of things.

 

[Barbaroja]

A chronograph is at the top of my list right now. I’d like to take my loading to the next level and it’s going to be an essential tool for it. I’m also about to start experimenting with cast hollowpoints, an endeavor that will be helped along greatly by a chronograph.

 

[25-20 WCF]

If you follow published load data to the T. You don’t need a chrono, they already chono-ed for ya

Spoken by a guy who has never chrongraphed any of his “published” loads.

With today’s challenges in finding any reloading components, it is often impossible to “follow published load data to the T”. Few handloaders will use the SAAMI minimum-dimension reference barrels used in the manuals to develop their data. Experienced shooters know that different barrels will give different velocities with identical load recipes. They also realize that different powder lots give different velocities, sometimes by a bunch. But by how much?

When I first started handloading I noticed that different loading manuals showed different velocities for similar bullet/powder combinations. As an engineer I wanted data about what my loads were actually doing, so I got my first chronograph in 1987, an Oehler 33. I soon learned that published velocities were sometimes very close to what my “T” loads achieved, and sometimes as much as 150 fps different. Some loads had a low velocity spread of less than 20, while a few had variances of over 200 fps! For many shooters this difference wouldn’t matter, but for many uses it does.

Today I use a Labradar for load development, fine tuning loads, identifying reasons for poor accuracy, and for finding out exactly what the BC of my bullets actually are at the velocities I use them. Do you “need” one? It all depends on your personal loading/shooting goals.



.

 

[brmiller]

Never owned one. A friend had one, and we used it to verify power factor on USPSA loads. Other than that I saw no reason to own one.

 

[Mark_Mark]

A chronograph is at the top of my list right now. I’d like to take my loading to the next level and it’s going to be an essential tool for it. I’m also about to start experimenting with cast hollowpoints, an endeavor that will be helped along greatly by a chronograph.

ooook … $1,000 question, why do you have a Cow head as your avatar

 

[lordpaxman]

I reloaded a lot of years without one, but must admit it was an eye opener when I did get one. Then I got in to the competition games, and I needed to know PF. For rifle, it’s tough to find a velocity node without one. I also use it to know how my reloads are performing relative to the published data. I’ve used it to step outside the lines a bit, successfully, so far. Good luck.

 

[Soonerpesek]

I went many years without one, until they got cheap, as in the neighborhood of $100.

I recently purchased a Calwdell Ballistic chrono off of Amazon during a weird 3 day sale for $64.00.....some of the best money I've spent on the hobby...!

 

[Soonerpesek]

If you follow published load data to the T. You don’t need a chrono, they already chono-ed for ya

Yeah......but did they shoot your bullet, with your lot of powder, out of your barrel, at the same temp, ect, ect, ect.......?

I was under somewhat the same impression, til I got a chrono......

 

[film495]

don't have one. it is on the list of maybe some day. every time we head up the the property to shoot, there is never enough time. I fight with myself to keep bringing less and less total equipment, cause I don't use most of it and I carry in on a game cart.

 

[Barbaroja]

ooook … $1,000 question, why do you have a Cow head as your avatar

Well if you look closely it’s not just the head. That was my old cow and she enjoyed getting her chin scratched. I had a hard time when i butchered her, she was a little nuts but we were pals lol. this is her now.


to stay on topic. I want to chronograph the 41 mag load i shot her with. 215gn Lee swc, pc’ed and sized .410” over 8g of universal with a cci LPP. It should be moving around 1100fps out of my 6.5” barrel. This is only a guess. I’d love to know as it’s a good shooting, easy recoiling load that went length wise through my cow through the skull breaking the pelvis on the way out….didn’t see that coming.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I also realized quickly that published load data didn't agree and I needed to confirm my own results. For example, Hogdon manual says .380acp max load of 3.2gr of Titegroup with 90gr JHP at 1060fps.
Hornady says 3.4gr at 1100fps. That doesn't sound bad to some, but in a pistol round with starting load of 2.8gr , 2/10 gr is a big difference.. One used a 3.75" barrel with a 1/10 twist, the other used 3.88" barrel with 1/14. Neither of those is the same as any of my .380 barrels, so which one do I trust?
The chronograph told me that the Hornady data was actually closer to my results for my .380 and the factory ammo I tested was within 20fps of claimed velocity. The Hogdon data is usually closer in my rifle loads, so this kind of surprised me.
I would never know any of that without the chrony, but the biggest value to me is evaluating my loading process. If get a flier on target and the velocity was off, then most likely I've got to figure out what was different with that round. If I get a flier and the velocity was right, then the problem was most likely me.
Prior to the chronograph I was only guessing.

 

[Reloadron]

I have a chronograph, an older Oehler 35P which was a gift from my wife pushing 30 years ago. A chronograph is merely a nice to have.

View attachment 1052506

I went shooting today with my neighbor, who, while has much less experience and knowledge about firearms and reloading than me, also has a ton more discretionary spending available. He invited me to his secret shooting spot a mere 2 miles from town and we had a great time shooting and sighting in several firearms. He also had a chronograph.

I was able to shoot some new loads I was working on, as well as some other loads I had been using for years that I thought were great, based on accuracy and published load data.

However, when shot over an actual chronograph, the results were not even close to what I expected.

That was disturbing to me, so I am adding a chronograph to the top of the list of new toys I want/need.

I was curious as to if other reloaders here don't have a chronograph. Was also curious to hear reloaders with chronographs share some of their examples of why they are worth the investment.

While a chronograph can give a plethora of interesting data and is a nice to have that's about it. When a load works and works well unless you find a magic bullet to improve it just stick with it. If you feel a chronograph is a must have then look at first your pocket book followed by features you feel you want of need.

I like the print function and considering when mine was made that was a sweet feature. Today, there are so many nice features. Today I would want memory so when I got home I could upload all my data to a spread sheet or similar. Make a list of features you really want and then shop around. Read factual reviews of what's out there, make a decision and move on it. Keep in mind, it's a tool and only a tool. It will not make a lousy rifle into a match gun.

Ron

 

[kcofohio]

Well if you look closely it’s not just the head. That was my old cow and she enjoyed getting her chin scratched. I had a hard time when i butchered her, she was a little nuts but we were pals lol. this is her now.
View attachment 1052590
View attachment 1052582
to stay on topic. I want to chronograph the 41 mag load i shot her with. 215gn Lee swc, pc’ed and sized .410” over 8g of universal with a cci LPP. It should be moving around 1100fps out of my 6.5” barrel. This is only a guess. I’d love to know as it’s a good shooting, easy recoiling load that went length wise through my cow through the skull breaking the pelvis on the way out….didn’t see that coming.

When I was a kid, my dad would have a guy come out to butcher a steer. He used a 22lr rifle, well placed shot to the skull. Dropped them every time.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Yeah......but did they shoot your bullet, with your lot of powder, out of your barrel, at the same temp, ect, ect, ect.......?

I was under somewhat the same impression, til I got a chrono......

No, but for me I sometimes just load to shoot

 

[Mark_Mark]

When I was a kid, my dad would have a guy come out to butcher a steer. He used a 22lr rifle, well placed shot to the skull. Dropped them every time.

When I was a little boy, we would buy a whole cow between several families and would chop it up right on the farm. The farmer would always bring out a old .22 rifle to do the deed.

 

[kcofohio]

If you follow published load data to the T. You don’t need a chrono, they already chono-ed for ya

I began reloading in '11, then things got crazy, as now, with components. Between unpublished bullets and plunk test in certain barrels that required deeper seating. I found best to get a Chrony for my own peace of mind.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I began reloading in '11, then things got crazy, as now, with components. Between unpublished bullets and plunk test in certain barrels that required deeper seating. I found best to get a Chrony for my own peace of mind.

I use a Chono too! I just think is OK not to use one if you get a good result from published data.

 

[mcb]

Knowledge is power.

I have a chronograph, an old Shooting Chrony Alpha Master and am saving my fun money to upgrade to a LabRadar.

A chronograph combine with Quickloads is a wonderful combination if you're willing to do the ground work.

 

[redcon1]

View attachment 1052506
I was curious as to if other reloaders here don't have a chronograph. Was also curious to hear reloaders with chronographs share some of their examples of why they are worth the investment.

I use a cheap green Shooting Chrony. It was like a hundred dollars but it works. Most of the time. I use it primarily as another safety measure. I like to compare my actual velocities with expected published velocities. If my velocities are significantly higher than expected, then I know I'm operating at higher pressure than the pressure listed in the book for some reason and I'll need to consider that if I decide to work up to the max published charge weight.
Secondarily, as a reloader, I feel like we go to great lengths to control and check every aspect of our process and the ultimate "check" is our final accuracy but muzzle velocity, the SD and the ES is all very useful data to confirm what affect our process changes are having. And for a hundred dollars? That's not a huge investment for a useful tool IMO.

 

[wcwhitey]

I don’t. Would love one but my ranges are often busy and I rarely get a place to shoot that would slow for the set up and takedown. One day!

 

[Lo-Profile]

I could buy one .... Don't feel the need.
Don't have a shot timer either.
But I don't competitively shoot, so I really have no need for either.

 

[JDeere]

I had one long ago, used for a bit then sold it. I just work up loads that are accurate for the application I intend to use them at. Load data gives me velocities and consistencies are proven in my groups...