Great Chronograph

[mcxring]

For anyone thinking about getting a chronograph, I looked at all the reviews, mixed reviews, as usual, I picked the Competion electronics, Prochrono digital, I have fired thousands of rounds both pistol and rifle across it, with maybe 3 or 4 error reports, I bought a cheap tripod at walmart works great, I have only been reloading for about a year and a half, buying the chrono has been one of the best decisions I have made.

 

[CatShooter]

For anyone thinking about getting a chronograph, I looked at all the reviews, mixed reviews, as usual, I picked the Competion electronics, Prochrono digital, I have fired thousands of rounds both pistol and rifle across it, with maybe 3 or 4 error reports, I bought a cheap tripod at walmart works great, I have only been reloading for about a year and a half, buying the chrono has been one of the best decisions I have made, I know there are alot of factors that decide velocity, but I have found that the some reloading manuals have alot of wrong data in them, some of it, very wrong, do yourself a favor and get a chronograph, do your own homework.

Catshooter states (in summary): Remember that reloading manual velocity numbers are often compiled by professional testers using very expensive chronographs, pressure guns and top of the line tools.

This is NOT an exact science - if ten people all shot the same calibre, and used the same bullets and same powder.... they would not get the same results.

Editor: That said, some reloading manuals do contain a few errors, starting with typos and printing errors -- every book has them.

 

[mcxring]

First off, its far from a toy, and anyone who pays attention, knows that mistakes happen, I dont think reloading manuals are the exception.

 

[mcxring]

I see someone is overlooking this site. thanks

 

[284driver]

Chronographs are very important in finding key information. With that said, as soon as I get a magnetospeed chrony, I will never ever EVER use a tripod mounted system again. Hate em. What a pain in the arse.

 

[Nomad47]

Agreedm skyav8r. Love my MagnetoSpeed, never going back to sky screens and tripods.

mcxring, did it ever occur to you that he might be referring to mountain lions?

 

[treeman]

or bob cats or cats that piss in your flower beds

 

[mcxring]

maybe he did mean other than domestic cats, sorry if he did, it was just his attach on my post that got me, the site administrator intervined and removed what he originally wrote and summarized it in his words. All I was trying to do is recommend a good chronograph, to help reloaders tweak there loads, and help avoid anyone with an over pressure situation.

 

[XBBR Shooter]

maybe he did mean other than domestic cats, sorry if he did, it was just his attach on my post that got me, the site administrator intervined and removed what he originally wrote and summarized it in his words. All I was trying to do is recommend a good chronograph, to help reloaders tweak there loads, and help avoid anyone with an over pressure situation.

Could you please explain how a chronograph helps avoid excessive pressures?? I have used a chronograph for a long time and I have never found that feature in mine.


Thank you.

 

[bozo699]

maybe he did mean other than domestic cats, sorry if he did, it was just his attach on my post that got me, the site administrator intervined and removed what he originally wrote and summarized it in his words. All I was trying to do is recommend a good chronograph, to help reloaders tweak there loads, and help avoid anyone with an over pressure situation.

Did you ask for the Forum bosses help or did he just intervein? I would really like to know that, I have had my issues with Cat Shooter but I have not nor ever would rat on him. Chronographs are just tools to aid us in our reloads and trajectories.
Wayne.

 

[Nomad47]

I didn't get to read CatShooter's 'attach' <sp>. But I can understand why he would. You came across as telling us we should take your recommendation for a particular chronograph when it appears that it was the only one you have ever purchased, used or tested. Then you went on to say you have shot "thousands" of rounds over it and you have been reloading for a year and a half.
There are lots and lots of guys on this forum that have been reloading 10 times longer than you. And there have been several guys that have tested multiple chronographs AND reported their findings. Did you do a search for 'chronograph' or 'chrony' before posting?
In conclusion, I can see why your post would rub several members the wrong way.

 

[bozo699]

maybe he did mean other than domestic cats, sorry if he did, it was just his attach on my post that got me, the site administrator intervined and removed what he originally wrote and summarized it in his words. All I was trying to do is recommend a good chronograph, to help reloaders tweak there loads, and help avoid anyone with an over pressure situation.

Could you please explain how a chronograph helps avoid excessive pressures?? I have used a chronograph for a long time and I have never found that feature in mine.


Thank you.

Excellent first post
Wayne.

Bill,
Well put as per usual, very professional
Wayne.

 

[XBBR Shooter]

maybe he did mean other than domestic cats, sorry if he did, it was just his attach on my post that got me, the site administrator intervined and removed what he originally wrote and summarized it in his words. All I was trying to do is recommend a good chronograph, to help reloaders tweak there loads, and help avoid anyone with an over pressure situation.

Could you please explain how a chronograph helps avoid excessive pressures?? I have used a chronograph for a long time and I have never found that feature in mine.


Thank you.

Mr. mcxring.

I have used the original Hollywood R/C chronograph (I still have it, but can't get the silver film for it any more), the Oehler #33 (I still have it and it still works fine and is a favorite), the Oehler 35-P (I sold it when they were discontinued - I couldn't turn down the offer of $800), and I also currently own a CED.

I have tested loads until I got ejector marks and primers dropped out of the cases, and I have never seen a warning from any of the chronographs that I was approaching "over pressure".

My only warning was signs on the case.

Would you please be so kind as to explain to me what I am missing in these units. I assure you that I HAVE read the instructions on all of the chronographs that I have owned, and know what all the "buttons" do.

In advance, I sincerely thank you for any light you can shed on this problem.

 

[bozo699]

When you add more powder and there is no increase in velocity. That is your warning sign. Oehler System 83 has the pressure trace that you could have upgrade to. Randy

Very true more often then not but sometimes there is another node above that one and your still safe. I do tend to use them for opc just as you stated though.
Wayne.

 

[Steve Blair]

When you add more powder and there is no increase in velocity. That is your warning sign. Randy

[br]
It often indicates the load is close to full pressure. That is also where I often find low ES and a wide tolerance window. My experience is that over pressure loads will show erratic velocity, sometimes with alarming spikes. [br]
My .300 WSM showed almost no velocity increase from 68.2 grains to 68.7. The Norma brass, not known for unusual toughness, showed no signs of over pressure at 68.9. I stopped there because I achieved my velocity, ES and accuracy goals and had no reason to go higher. Somewhere close to the upper load I tested is practical maximum.

 

[bozo699]

quote author=sleepygator link=topic=3816582.msg36234784#msg36234784 date=1370238085]

When you add more powder and there is no increase in velocity. That is your warning sign. Randy

[br]
It often indicates the load is close to full pressure. That is also where I often find low ES and a wide tolerance window. My experience is that over pressure loads will show erratic velocity, sometimes with alarming spikes. [br]
My .300 WSM showed almost no velocity increase from 68.2 grains to 68.7. The Norma brass, not known for unusual toughness, showed no signs of over pressure at 68.9. I stopped there because I achieved my velocity, ES and accuracy goals and had no reason to go higher. Somewhere close to the upper load I tested is practical maximum.
[/quote]
Yep!
Wayne.

 

[BoydAllen]

Generally, I have been able to read pressure signs without the benefit of a chronograph. The main problems that I see relating to pressure and chronographs have occurred when their owners have been overly influenced by their desire to reach some particular velocity, and it its pursuit, overlook the usual signs that the upward progression of their charge weights should be terminated, and a working limit set somewhere below the last test load. In this way, chronographs may have actually increased the incidence of overly hot loading.

A long time back, having witnessed the results of an extreme case of this specific variety of foolishness, I coined the name "chronograph idiot" to describe this particular variety of reloader. If course I am sure that none of you or any of your acquaintances fall into this category, and only mention it as a matter of historical interest;-)

I don' use my chronograph much, preferring to let my targets tell me what my rifles like, bu when I do require a velocity, I set up an old Oehler 33, that has been fitted with the latest sky screens, and use pen and paper to record what it tells me.

 

[CatShooter]

When you add more powder and there is no increase in velocity. That is your warning sign. Oehler System 83 has the pressure trace that you could have upgraded to check for pressure. Randy

I have never seen that phenomenon, and I spend 15 hours a month on a chronograph for a living.

 

[284driver]

When you add more powder and there is no increase in velocity. That is your warning sign. Oehler System 83 has the pressure trace that you could have upgraded to check for pressure. Randy

I have never seen that phenomenon, and I spend 15 hours a month on a chronograph for a living.

that's the job I want.

 

[CatShooter]

When you add more powder and there is no increase in velocity. That is your warning sign. Oehler System 83 has the pressure trace that you could have upgraded to check for pressure. Randy

I have never seen that phenomenon, and I spend 15 hours a month on a chronograph for a living.

that's the job I want.

It's real cool the first month - OK the second month, and by the third month...