Now That I Have a Chrono...

[Phil3]

Now that I am opening the box to a new MagnetoSpeed v3, I am wondering just how to make use of it, at my 100 yard range. It will be used for 223, 6mmBR, and 6.5 Creedmoor at the minimum. I expect I can see how my gun does with loads that are seen in the loading manuals, but what if they are off by a lot? I also want to see what the ES and SD look like to ensure I am loading very consistently, even if I may not seem much difference on target. And I get Quickload, I believe I can better make use of that software with actual chrono data from my gun. What else? I just want to make the best use of this tool in every way possible.

Phil

 

[ericbc7]

Congrats on your new chronograph. My dad says "you can't manage what you can't measure". And I agree completely. Your chrono will now let you " know" if the changes you make are affecting your velocity or consistancy.

Happy shooting!

 

[dmoran]

First you need to decide if having it on the barrel is effecting accuracy. If it is at all, it should not be used for development stages where the target is being judged as well. The ones I've been around, effected accuracy down range.
Donovan

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Thats the fatal flaw of the magnetospeed. Great unit otherwise

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

I develop my load on paper and then on my next outing following development I use the chronograph. I'll shoot 10rds and watch how the velocity behaves (cold bore, how many shots until it stabalizes, etc.). I also don't chase high velocities, so I really use mine to monitor barrel behavior and establish what my avg velocity is. All this hoopla over the Magnetospeed changing POI is way over exaggerated......I don't shoot for record with it hanging off my barrel. I view chronograph testing as a good time to "warm up" during a shooting outing, similar to taking some dry fire.

Here in AZ, I also take readings when the weather shifts. I will usually shoot when it's 90-95° out in the summer, but 50-60° in the winter. All of this is recorded for the next time the weather shifts.

 

[DRNewcomb]

Depending on the conditions where you shoot, consider setting up a mobile loading bench, with a protected scale. This will allow you to work up new loads with a minimum number rounds expended and trips to the range. If your range always has gale-force winds, this may not be practical.

With the Magneto Speed you may get a choice of either knowing your round's velocity or accuracy, but not both. (This is a matter of some debate.)

Much depends on your objective. Are you testing at the same range (distance) you will shoot at? In my case, I test at 100 yds the rounds I will eventually shoot at 600-1000. All I can really test at 100 is that the velocities are consistent and the ES & SD are both low. Rounds that makes a single hole at 100 could be all over the place at 600 and beyond, where other factors can dominate.

 

[M99]

One thing that a Chrono will quickly tell you as you load develop, is when you are approaching your max load even if you are not seeing any pressure signs. As you approach your max load, you will see that the velocity is not changing much as the charge is increased. That is an early warning sign. Sometimes a ladder test will show this, but at only 100 yards, the difference in vertical can be very hard to even measure. A Chrono highlights that instantly.

 

[Thumper]

A chronograph is also very useful when changing lots of powder. Before your old powder lot is gone load 5 rounds with the old and 5 rounds with the new. This will tell you if you can load the same charge to get the same velocity. If you have a proven load you should be able to match the velocity between lots of powder and have the same accuracy node.

 

[Lapua40X]

First you need to decide if having it on the barrel is effecting accuracy. If it is at all, it should not be used for development stages where the target is being judged as well. The ones I've been around, effected accuracy down range.
Donovan

IMO, Donovan makes a good point. Just remember that once you've found a load that groups well, check the MV and forget how it groups. Collect the shot grouping and MV data as separate issues. You can't expect to obtain valid data for those two load performance variables with the bayonet on the rifle.
Nevertheless, it's the best (excepting perhaps the LabRadar) Chrono out there.