A new tool, the Shooting Chrony

[victorcharlie]

Seeing how Sam decided I needed some of my tax money back, and as the check's in the bank, I decided I'd spend a bit and picked up a Beta Master shooting Chrony yesterday.

I got the chrony home, set it up on the back deck and started with my tech force air rifle advertised to shoot "1150" fps.......yea....right, I fired many shots over the chrony to get familiar with the user interface, and discovered the Tech Force 99 at best is shooting 860.  I fired 10 shots with a very cheap daisy......averaged 200 fps.

So, today I head to the range to test a few reloads.......

WOW, what a learning experience that turned out to be.

My favorite .06 load, 51.5 grains of w760 and a sierra 150 is listed in the sierra manual as 51 grains starting at 2700 fps and a max load of w760 of 53.5 at 2800......so I figured I was probably getting 2750?  10 shots averaged 2499 fps. 

The speer manual list a max load of 57.9 grains for 2750, and Hornady list a max load for their 150 at 59.something......

Obviously, the sierra manual's data is incorrect right?

More bad stuff followed, Remington golden bullets advertised at 1280 averaged 1080 out of my nylon 66.

Good stuff, the .35 Remington shooting 37 grains of IMR3031 behind a 200 grain corelokt averaged 2075 which was about what I was expecting.

So, the chrony's new and I've still got a lot of testing to do with it.

[R.W.Dale]

 LOL

It's been said that the chronograph has ruined many a pet load.

[beemanbeme]

Yeeeees. On the one hand, it can be rather humbling, but it is an excellent asset to your reloading arsenal. Before you had guessimations, now you have data.   I bought a quantity of data powder that was said to be like AA2015.  Using my Chrony, I have been able to determine that it is considerably slower than AA2015.  And so, using my Chrony and some empirical measurements, I can work up a reasonable load with this powder.
 Match grade .22 ammo usually runs pretty close to the velocity posted on the box if you want to proof your chrony. 

[deltecs]

My wife got me a Shooting Chrony for CHRISTmas a couple of years ago.  After using it, I got an awakening regarding published velocities.  I've found some to be right on, however, most have been exagerated by about 200 fps.  Either all my rifles have extremely loose chambers, my powder measure is abysmally low, or the Shooting Chrony is inaccurate.  I think the Chrony is accurate.  Too many shots through it with consistent results, indicate the problem lies elsewhere.  And the velocity with the powders listed are within range of the manuals, just on the low end.  Admittedly I'm shooting in cooler weather with average temps in the 50's, but with modern powders this reduction isn't warranted.  If it is, then I certainly can see backing off loads in extremely hot or warm areas to remain within safe pressure limits.  I've reloaded for decades without a chronograph and now regret this practice.  For about a $100 one can be bought and used to determine accurate ballistic data.  I wish I'd had one sooner.

[LaOtto222]

I have one now too. Most of my loads were what I was expecting. They were a little below what was published for my loads. Rim fire was right on, for instance I have a 22 Mag that was published at 2220 fps. I was getting this or a little more. I did find out I had a pet load for a custom 223 that I thought was safe. I was below the published max load and there were no "pressure signs" with a 50 grain V-Max. No case stretching, sticky cases, or flattened primers. The Crony said I was getting nearly 3700 fps. Nearly the same as a 22-250. Whoa - I had to back off of that. That was was just not right.

[PaulS]

When testing my reloads over the chronograpg I found that most manuals list velocities that are from 100 to 300 fps faster than what I achieve with those loads. I assume that those test barrels are probably loose and don't cause the friction that my guns do. I did find that the Speer manual was very close to the actual velocities that I was getting. I posted notes in my manuals that list the actual velocity difference between the listed velocity and my chronographed velocity.

I have found that placing the screens at 15 feet from the muzzle gives the best results for me with fewer "super velocity" readings than when I had set the screens at 10 feet.

[Old Syko]

I've found the best use of a chronograph not to be the search for max velocities or to compare my velocities to published data but to use the data to compare shot to shot consistency.  In other words to search for accuracy.  There are just too many variables for max velocity or published data to be reliable.  Uniform shot to shot variations, or better yet the lack of variation relates to accuracy, which is the name of the game.

[jhalcott]

 If you read the manuals , they tell you what gun was used in their tests. Also what OTHER components were used. If the primers used are different and the brass is different AND the gun is too, HOW can the results be the same??  I agree with Syko, use it as a tool to find the MOST accurate ,SAFE load. Years ago I had a load for my 6mm Remington that was a one holer! It was supposed to be in the 3000 fps range. When I got the chrono ,it was in the 2700 fps range!! it would STILL kill ground hogs at 300 yards though. I ran out of the WW785 powder and they quit making it.   So I found another powder that is a bit faster but no more accurate!

[AtlLaw]

I think one of a reloader's great joys in life is when he gets his first chonograph!  One round over the screens and the sky opens up, trumpets sound, a chorus of angels sing and the light of revelation, knowledge and understanding shines upon our hero!  His reloading life is forever changed!   

Now if I could just get PMS... uh, a pressure measuring system that is, I could die happy!   

[deltecs]

When testing my reloads over the chronograpg I found that most manuals list velocities that are from 100 to 300 fps faster than what I achieve with those loads. I assume that those test barrels are probably loose and don't cause the friction that my guns do. I did find that the Speer manual was very close to the actual velocities that I was getting. I posted notes in my manuals that list the actual velocity difference between the listed velocity and my chronographed velocity.

I have found that placing the screens at 15 feet from the muzzle gives the best results for me with fewer "super velocity" readings than when I had set the screens at 10 feet.

I found 15' feet from the muzzle also to be the best distance for readings.  At 10' I had several low readings from either the bullet not passing exactly over the sensors or from muzzle blast effects.  At 15' this disappeared.

[Old Syko]

Now if I could just get PMS... uh, a pressure measuring system that is, I could die happy!   

Ah Yes PMS, the ultimate in shooting accessories.     I would love to have the same system Ranch Dog uses but I keep finding other uses for the 1000+ $$$.  With that the Chronograph would show it's real value.

[lakota]

I just got a ProChronograph Digital from Midway yesterday. I just got done shooting rubber bands across it's sensors. Very cool. I cant wait to try it at the range.  I have to work all weekend though!

[chutesnreloads]

What?And no data for us on the rubber bands?What brand ,size and color?what was the average velocity?Best reason for owning a crony.....another excuse to shoot more.

[PaulS]

I never use my chronograph until I have found the accurate load. I use the chronograph to get the muzzle velocity and try to tune the load for best consistant accuracy.
When a load holds the same point of impact over months of shooting in different conditions AND shoots sub-MOA groups then it's a keeper.
The chronograph is a great tool - it allows me to project very closely the trajectory of my bullets - the software isn't perfect and either are the bullets but it takes less rounds sighting it in at different ranges. It also tells me when the velocities are consistant and with the Standard Deviation I can predict the odds of the bullet going to the same point of impact from round to round. Still, there is no substitue for sighting the rifle at the elevation and under the conditions that exist when the shot counts.