Need Your Advise Re: Chronograph for Reloading

[LIUNA]

Well I have been reloading for 12 years and after reading some of the comments regarding the use of Chronographs and how they could help determine load information. I have decided to ask those who know, what a chronograph could do to help in reloading, keep in mind, I don't know anything about them except it will determine the bullet velocity.
I started looking and found a Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph which had numerous reviews. So here I am humbly asking for your assistance,
Thanks in advance for your consideration,
Bob

 

[bricktop]

I have that one. Not very expensive (which is good if you're just learning to use it, since there is an off chance it can get struck with a bullet), I haven't had much trouble with it getting velocities except in real poor lighting, and it's made in USA. It's been immensely useful. I can't comment on the accuracy though, since I've had nothing to directly compare it to. It good enough to let me calculate and make accurate first-round hits at ~600 yards on an ~8 inch target.

 

[bheadboy]

i have used an oehler 35 for 20 years and find it the most useful tool, first velocity, second the Es( extreme spread of the founds fired) third the SD ( the standard deviation of the rounds fired from the medium)

the result of this data helps
1- know the velocity you have thus the trejectory of the bullet your fire subject to the software to calculate that so you can adjust for point of impact at different ranges
2- the extreme spread tells you the consistancy of the load combination
3- the standard deviation give you the expected quality of the load - the lower the SD the more consistant the load

finally, if you expect velocity consistant with published data, anbd do not get it then you have the basis to alter primer, powder choice, gr weigth of powder subject to pressure signs bullet seating depth and a host of other choices., etc.

Bob

 

[Joe C]

I have used others several times over the years and always wanted one myself. I found them extremely useful when they were available. SO, about two weeks ago I bit the bullet and bought one of the new Oehler 35P's that they are producing. Since it came in we have had nothing but rain, until today, which made the range a mess!

None the less, this weekend it is going to the range with me for a good test run! But from all I've read about the Oehler, and in the past times using an older one, it will not be a disappointment. And I had no buyers remorse. ;-)

 

[Hopkins]

I also have that model (ProChrono) chronograph and have used it for 3-4 years. I have no complaints other than it requires a certain amount of shade in bright sunny conditions. I have found published velocities in reloading manuals prepared by powder companies to be pure fiction. I have had the same experience with ammunition manufacturers velocity claims.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Precision handloading without a chronograph is like cooking without tastebuds.

The "pressure signs" that people talk about all the time are not to be depended on, they are usually incorrect and when they do show up, you're already in dangerous territory. It does not really matter which chronograph you have, all you are looking for is the velocity of the shot. Some make it easier than others to record and calculate stuff, but you can do all that with a spreadsheet.

What is critical with a chronograph is that you set it up properly and exactly the same way every time. It must be level, it must be square to the trajectory and it must be at the exact same distance from the muzzle, every time. Ideally, your bullets should be above the sensor shot after shot.

It's also desirable that you do not shoot it.

 

[Zia Hunter]

+1 on the Oehler 35P. A bit pricey but worth the money.

 

[WyleWD]

Absolutely a must for serious load development. IMHO there are 2 items that will help you love the investment without getting into trouble with it:

1) Don't shoot it.

2) Use the information you get from it in a constructive manner and don't get all consumed over a few fps in velocity. That is to say, keep in mind that the objective is to help give you a small group and hit what you're aiming at.

Good luck and enjoy. WD

 

[bheadboy]

WD,

I cant believe your shot yours? Oh my, hump -- in all honesty, i dont know anyone who has hot shot or come close to shooting one,

Liuna, be sure the bbl heigth is well over the crono, the temptation is to use the scope, for positioning, that is a nono as the bbl is 2"lower and the screens are only 15ft away, ouch..

Bob

 

[WyleWD]

WD,

I cant believe your shot yours? Oh my, hump -- in all honesty, i dont know anyone who has hot shot or come close to shooting one,

Liuna, be sure the bbl heigth is well over the crono, the temptation is to use the scope, for positioning, that is a nono as the bbl is 2"lower and the screens are only 15ft away, ouch..

Bob

Bob, I didn't shoot mine, but while at a range 2 years ago the fella next to me nailed his with a 300 Winny. And I mean dead center bulled it with a ballistic tip bullet no less. Talk about (stuff) hitting the fan, whew!! Then some melon head a couple benches over came over and congratulated him on what a good shot he made. Heartless soul. ;D

I told him that he could use mine, but that I was going to be doing the shootin'. He was Ok with that. WD

 

[MrMajestic]

I have a Pro Chrono I bought in '86 and can't image reloading with out it. I hit the cardboard targets many times but never the unit. I hope you guys don't jinx me!

 

[lpreddick]

i am using my THIRD chrony currently...yes, two drilled, the third has been wounded. one feels the closer your bullet to the sensors, the more likely you are to get good data. i used to chrony every shot during load development. too many didn't record, causing me to get closer until BLAM! now i chronograph after getting a good load and i do what i saw german salazar suggets...string a 1 in fluoresence circle betwee the front guide post about half way up, aim at the circle and the bullet goes just below and i get a reading every time! i shoot loing range varmints using a ballistic table and the calculations require a muzzel velocity that i now get without worry. another tool i couldn't do without.

 

[amlevin]

i am using my THIRD chrony currently...yes, two drilled, the third has been wounded.

I found a good use for those cheap Laser Bore Sighters. I got one for about $20 and use it for setting up my Chronograph. Set the rifle up, take aim on your target, secure with a couple extra bags, turn on laser and then just see where the "dot" will pass over the sensors. Easier to set up and $20 worth of insurance against "bagging" another chrono. BTW, do you have them "Mounted" and then display them with all your other "Trophies" 8) 8)

 

[bheadboy]

amlevin, great idea, i will talkto the taxidermist here and see how he think the wonded one i have will look after it gets out of the hospital - the emergency room folks were very concerned as to recovery.

Bob

 

[glo]

I have the Master Crony, I have had it for the last 10 years. It never bin shoot though. : It works great. Its cheap and I too use it for load development; velocity, SD and ES. It is the most important reloading tool I have.

Ditto to Mr. Hopkins post. Reloading manuals and manufactures published velocities are “pure fiction”. Also, don't feel bad or get too excited if your velocities are lower or higher then those who post here. All rifles shoot differently.

Remember to check for pressure signs after every shot during initial load development to establish your maximum load. Then you can work back up to the max powder charges to find the sweet spot. The SD, ES and group will all help to confirm you have both an accurate and consistent load.

 

[amlevin]

The SD, ES and group will all help to confirm you have both an accurate and consistent load.

What do you do when your best shooting load, making not much more than a single hole in groups of 5, isn't the best load when measured with your Chrony.

My absolute best load for my almost factory stock rifle gives me groups as small as .190" yet the groups from loads with the Lowest SD and ES are almost .250" consistently. ??????????????????

I've started to just leave the Chronograph in the box until I find a load that groups best. Then I "clock" that load so I have a speed for ballistic calcs.

 

[WyleWD]

The SD, ES and group will all help to confirm you have both an accurate and consistent load.

What do you do when your best shooting load, making not much more than a single hole in groups of 5, isn't the best load when measured with your Chrony.

My absolute best load for my almost factory stock rifle gives me groups as small as .190" yet the groups from loads with the Lowest SD and ES are almost .250" consistently. ??????????????????

I've started to just leave the Chronograph in the box until I find a load that groups best. Then I "clock" that load so I have a speed for ballistic calcs.

Exactly!!! Again, the object of load development is to find the load that shoots the smallest group at the distance(s) you're shooting, not necessarily the one that gives the least amount of ES etc.

Also chronographs are like most other intruments, they vary in accuracy from shot to shot, and the readings they give on a given rifle or load will vary from machine to machine.WD

 

[holstil]

I am crying laughing at some of these post's.

I learned that: 1. A chrony can make a great target
2. There are cheaper targets to shoot and
3. They can tell you when your best load is no good. ;D

There should be a chrony shoot like a ground hog shoot. One shot one kill no sighters from 15yds.

Just funnin, I use the little master chrony and a friends 35p. I have considered shooting mine one time when I wadded up 5 shots at 300yds and got 80 es.

Just more data to look at that sometimes helps you sort things out. I find they're more useful the more you use them. I don't let the chrony be the end all. I've seen slower bullets print higher at different distances up to 500 yds. and I suspect that can happen at 1k. too. There are things that I cannot account for, it's nice to rule out what I can.

Jim

 

[dreever]

Chrony Beta Master works for me!

Danny

 

[jonbearman]

So what I get is when you use a chronograph it just confuses the issue by telling you which is the best ,most consistent load and actual speed is to plot trajectory. However the best load it shows you isnt necessarily the most accurate load. In fact it could give you a false sense of what you are trying to achieve.Now that I am completely confused and the op probably has taken the bridge,what next? Is it truly necessary to own one for the imfo it feeds us or not? Some years ago I shot my favorite most accurate woodchuck load I have shot,and it said the load was basically no good. We chrono'ed it several times and the extreme spread was way high and yet at 100 yds to 200 yds it would shoot dime size groups out of a remmy 788 in 22-250.Go figure.