to chronny or not to chronny

[K22]

I don't use a chronograph in load development, only the performance of group size on paper.

I do find the chronograph useful for developing more precise trajectories charts for varmint hunting. This can be approximated without a chronograph with ballistics software and obtain comparing 100 and 200 yard impact points on paper but I prefer a chronograph and using the known velocity input into the software.

 

[MN50Shooter]

Once I acquired my LabRadar my load development increased exponentially. By taking my targets home, downloading the data on the SD card, I quickly eliminated lots of loads that were leading into a waste basket. It's nice to download the data, compare it to groups, and ES & SD and quickly know what is, and what isn't going to work. Even makes tweaking the loads to wring out everything the gun is capable.

Given the current costs of components, a good chrono is a money saver too.

 

[Richard Coody]

I let the target tell me what the rifle.likes. I enjoy load development. I find concentrating on my shooting form without the distraction of a crony works for me.

Now once I have load development complete for that bullet/powder combination I run about 10 rounds across the crony to get velocity information for my ballistic calculator. I do look at SD at this point.

 

[cw308]

I could see the value in using a chronograph but there are some I shoot with shoot only with a chronograph and seem more interested in ES , SD numbers and not on group size or shooting form , in range talk it would be GS , SF. sorry tech guys.

 

[jelenko]

So, in summary, chrono's are absolutely required for load development - unless you don' t.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Some report velocity deviations smaller than the calibration accuracy of their chronograph, that has always puzzled me.

 

[Straightshooter1]

my question is this, how important is a chronograph for medium range capable ammunition? i want to develop a load for my 223, i do not own a chronograph. im looking for accurate loads to 500 yards to start. im shooting a tikka 223 1:8 stainless with a 22.5" sporter barrel. i understand keeping ES as low as possible for long range is important but how many of you guys develop loads without a chronny and why if you choose to or not to use one.

IMHO, a chronograph doesn't do much more than tell you how well you're cartridges are preped and loaded. One can have really good chrono numbers and poor results on paper due to a mismatch with the harmonics. When the chronograph is telling you that you're doing a good job of reloading, THEN what is seen on paper can better tell you something about how the particular load works for that particular gun. . . along with how well the shooter is performing. If the chrono numbers are poor, then you can't know much of anything other than reloading is not going well.

So, I say that a chronograph play an important role in getting consistent results in short order with saving in supplies.

 

[22DASHER]

A ladder will give you more information than the Chrono will...However I recommend using both. Its really nice when the ladder info correlates directly with the chrono. But I would take a repeatable and accurate ladder over low ES.

 

[Straightshooter1]

A ladder will give you more information than the Chrono will...However I recommend using both. Its really nice when the ladder info correlates directly with the chrono. But I would take a repeatable and accurate ladder over low ES.

If one is getting SD's in the 30's and ES's in the 60's, can one do a ladder that will determine an accuracy node?

 

[22DASHER]

If one is getting SD's in the 30's and ES's in the 60's, can one do a ladder that will determine an accuracy node?

I would. I still like to see low ES but the best point in the ladder does not always correlate with the lowest ES. The best spot may have an ES of 12 and another OK/Good spot has an ES of 4. I’ll be picking the best spot on ladder not the lowest ES

 

[Huntersuave]

If you decide to buy a chronograph, give some thought to which type you choose. There are a lot of posts here on the advantages and disadvantages of the different types. I used the optical type chronograph for many years when that was the only choice and it was a pain to set up and use and occasionally gave erroneous data. Today we have better options. I have been using the Magnetospeed now for several years and it is much easier to use and more reliable.

Do you find strapping the magnetospeed to the barrel reflect in the results? I may be wrong but I'm under the assumption anything attached to a barrel "may" alter how it performs. I don't have evidence to back this up...just what I've read. That being said I've heard all of good things about it so it's obviously working the way guys want it to.

 

[JohnKielly]

Do you find strapping the magnetospeed to the barrel reflect in the results? I may be wrong but I'm under the assumption anything attached to a barrel "may" alter how it performs.

Haven't used it either, but it intrigues me that some can accept the case for both tuners and Magnetospeed.

 

[Retired Guy]

Do you find strapping the magnetospeed to the barrel reflect in the results? I may be wrong but I'm under the assumption anything attached to a barrel "may" alter how it performs. I don't have evidence to back this up...just what I've read. That being said I've heard all of good things about it so it's obviously working the way guys want it to.

I find the difference to be minimal. When I attach the Magnetospeed to my rifle barrels, I generally find the POI is changed by less than an inch. So I typically shoot a series for just the data. I don't get too wrapped up about the accuracy. I'll then remove the Magnetospeed and shoot for groups. It takes less than two minutes to install or remove. Lets the barrel cool too.
Do I consider a chronograph essential? No. But I have one because it's just good to know. My velocities are all slower than the reloading manuals. I tried to duplicate a factory load and it was interesting to see how hot I had to run it to match velocity.

 

[Intheshop]

My chrono screens/stand stays setup,along with the brain box;

In the very spiffy shop bathroom,nicest room in the place. Anyway,I basically walk right past it to go shoot out back. Sheer laziness,with the only excuse that it does slow down the very quick process. When I get an itch to shoot a cpl groups,grab a rig and a sleeve or two of ammo..... an X bag for the front,bunny ear bag for rear. Go shoot. Targets stay up,don't walk down to even check. Can quickly tell through a scope if they're in one hole vs a cpl.

I did get some single digit ES numbers a cpl years ago. The loading wasn't that scientific,just what the rig and target were "telling" me?

One things for sure,it isn't gonna get drug out anytime soon.... we're in a rainy season. Which,is a preferred time for shooting here. I shoot for maybe 15 minutes,then go back to working. I will drag it out here in a week or two,got a cpl things that need to be speed checked.

 

[chkunz]

Do you find strapping the magnetospeed to the barrel reflect in the results? I may be wrong but I'm under the assumption anything attached to a barrel "may" alter how it performs. I don't have evidence to back this up...just what I've read. That being said I've heard all of good things about it so it's obviously working the way guys want it to.

I have not tried to test that. I shoot groups for accuracy without the Magnetospeed attached and then get the velocity as a seperate operation. The Magnetospeed is easy to install and remove.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Picked up a Magnetospeed Chrony. Sold it before even taking it out of the box.
Got nothing but straight pipe barrels so not much change in bullet POI on the target.

 

[CharlieNC]

You need to develop a load using a target utilizing techniques such as the Audette ladder test for charge weight and Berger seating depth testing. It may be surprising but if you are a decent shooter, fewer shots are needed vs the statistics required to make valid chrono decisions. And that assumes a chrono based load development is a robust approach. Following that, a chrono can be a useful tool to aid in refining loading techniques.

 

[Forum Boss]

High ES will, most of the time, alert you that something's not right in your loading process. Very low ES will often coincide with excellent accuracy, but sometimes the load with a bit higher ES shoots the best. But most guys I know that shoot past 200 yards want ES below 15 fps for five shots. You can get a Magnetospeed Sporter for under $160.00. NOTE: Since the Magnetospeed hangs on the barrel, you may have to re-tune your load for best accuracy after the chronograph is removed.

Magnetospeed at MidwayUSA
ADD to cart to get $159.99 price
REPEAT -- you won't see this price until you click the yellow "Add to Cart" button.
LINK: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016429780?pid=896627

 

[INTJ]

I have thought a bit how to respond to this. There are times when using a chronograph isn't needed for load development.

Like when you have a well-known load that you know is within safe pressures, and you are shooting at the same distance that you are competing or at the max distance that you'll be hunting. For example, when I am fine tuning a load the day before the match, shooting at the same gun range and same distance as the match, I don't use a chrono. However, I know that load very well and have spent a lot of time working it up at shorter range where each shot was chronoed.

There are times when you should use a chrono. If you have to find your load at shorter range and want to shoot at longer range, a chrono is critical. You can shoot small groups at close range with ES of 50-60 fps, and there is very little chance that load will group well at longer ranges.

For most load development, a chronograph is the smart way to go. By recording velocity of every shot we, like @Forum Boss posted, can validate our loading practices. We can save components by eliminating loads that have a high ES instead of being sucked in by good short range groups. Also, a chronograph is another tool for checking pressure. Generally, if we get a significantly higher velocity than predicted, it's not that we have a "fast barrel", most likely we have reached high pressures. Often these pressures won't show on the primer or case until they are too high.

I am not sure how well a Magnetospeed works for this. Hanging something off the barrel can affect harmonics, so I am not sure the data a Magnetospeed provides is as valid as data from a Lab Radar or Oehler.

 

[Huntersuave]

I generally find the POI is changed by less than an inch.

High ES will, most of the time, alert you that something's not right in your loading process. Very low ES will often coincide with excellent accuracy, but sometimes the load with a bit higher ES shoots the best. But most guys I know that shoot past 200 yards want ES below 15 fps for five shots. You can get a Magnetospeed Sporter for under $160.00. NOTE: Since the Magnetospeed hangs on the barrel, you may have to re-tune your load for best accuracy after the chronograph is removed.

Magnetospeed at MidwayUSA
ADD to cart to get $159.99 price
REPEAT -- you won't see this price until you click the yellow "Add to Cart" button.
LINK: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016429780?pid=896627

View attachment 1235032

Here in Canada that thing is $320 on sale from $360. That's usually what they cost up here. Between $350 and 4 bills. Add that to the cost of a new rifle, ammo/components and tools I'm going to have to wait. How would this work with a muzzle break? The break on my tikka 6.5 is about 2" or so. (It was installed by the previous owner, he bought the rifle and never even fired it. Got a good deal but it has a break machined on)