When doing the reloads and checking the data as long as I don't flirt with the max load or shorten my oal should I worry about the pressures being applied to the gun? I do not care about speed on hand gun loads so would a chronograph even be worth it at this point of reloading foot me?
Chronograph?
- Thread starter DSling
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Owen
Moderator Emeritus
if you aren't worried about velocity, you don't need chronograph. velocity and peak pressure are only vaguely related anyhow.
That said, small velocity variations are a sign that your product quality is pretty good.
That said, small velocity variations are a sign that your product quality is pretty good.
Rangemaster
Member
I have reloaded for years now without a chronograph. But recently I bought one to just verify what I have been loading.
rayatphonix
Member
Owen said it best. The chronograph will show you how consistent your velocities are. I've become a better reloader since I bought mine. One other advantage I've found is the chronograph is useful for comparing powders. Groups from two powders may be about equal, but with a chronograph you can also compare velocities.
gamestalker
member
I started out long ago without one and it didn't make a hill of beans difference. My quality was as good as I could get, and velocities were always sufficient to drop big game. But I did eventually add a chronograph to my tools of the trade. And I do get a good deal of justifiable use from it, as it helps me in accurately setting up my BDC systems, both electronic and optical. It saves me a bunch of time and ammunition in this respect, as you can imagine. But this is regarding high power rifle stuff too, which is a whole different world to me.
GS
GS
savanahsdad
Member
I've been shooting for 25+ years and reloading for 15+ years and I just bought my first chronograph (Pact Pro XP) a few months ago, , so no you don't need one , but there nice , I only got mine because I wanted to get max loads out of my new AR , and see what it could realy do,
with a bolt gun you can feel hard bolt lift if you get to hot , not so with an AR, pluss if you have a tight chamber ,a start load maybe close to what you should get out of a max load , my start load for my 25WSSM is pushing 3725fps , that is higher than the book lists for a max load , so if you are going for max loads , I'd say get a chronograph , but if you are going for mid to light loads , and you are getting good tight groups , I'd say you could live with out one , I did for years , as many other have said ,
with a bolt gun you can feel hard bolt lift if you get to hot , not so with an AR, pluss if you have a tight chamber ,a start load maybe close to what you should get out of a max load , my start load for my 25WSSM is pushing 3725fps , that is higher than the book lists for a max load , so if you are going for max loads , I'd say get a chronograph , but if you are going for mid to light loads , and you are getting good tight groups , I'd say you could live with out one , I did for years , as many other have said ,
loose noose
Member
I've used a chrongraph for quite a few years, simply to establish which powder gave the least amount of variation with the projectile used.
It's not essential. Like others have said, you can develop your reloads using manuals and testing at the range.
If you are trying to develop specific loads (e.g., subsonic, emmulate a favorite round, etc), then a chronograph is a valuable tool to help.
If you are trying to develop specific loads (e.g., subsonic, emmulate a favorite round, etc), then a chronograph is a valuable tool to help.
flipajig
Member
Pistol rounds its not so important but with rifle that IMO it's important.
I shoot specialty pistols and I also hunt with them so knowing your velocity is important curtain bullets will not preform if they are not running fast enough and coming out of a short tube some will work and some won't.
Flip
I shoot specialty pistols and I also hunt with them so knowing your velocity is important curtain bullets will not preform if they are not running fast enough and coming out of a short tube some will work and some won't.
Flip
it just depends on what you enjoy.....
I LOVE reloading then shooting and testing rounds... a chrono adds to That fun... That said.... I may only use my Chrono 1x outa 10x shooting... and i shoot at least 1x a week.... But when i do use it... again.. it just adds to the entire shooting Process and fun
na... ya dont need one
Yes ya should get one.... For $100.... its another tool in the range bag that ya can have and enjoy
I LOVE reloading then shooting and testing rounds... a chrono adds to That fun... That said.... I may only use my Chrono 1x outa 10x shooting... and i shoot at least 1x a week.... But when i do use it... again.. it just adds to the entire shooting Process and fun
na... ya dont need one
Yes ya should get one.... For $100.... its another tool in the range bag that ya can have and enjoy
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