Why should I buy a chronograph?
- Thread starter DynoDan1
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Hugger-4641
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It may or may not help you depending on what you are doing. If you are just hitting steel or punching holes in paper at the range, don't bother.
If you are fine tuning for sub moa accuraccy or verifying speed vs bullet expansion in ballistics gel, then it's a valuable tool.
If you are fine tuning for sub moa accuraccy or verifying speed vs bullet expansion in ballistics gel, then it's a valuable tool.
Even if you are just paper punching w/ pistols it’s a valuable tool when working up loads. It keeps you from going into over pressure range if you verify velocity as you try your loads — if velocity is crazy high and is unexpected, then there is a problem.
Tuning a load for a particular gun is easier with a chronograph.
And… “I’ve got too many toys already” said no one ever!
see the post below from @bersaguy
bersaguyMember
I use the chronograph as a sanity check. For years I loaded without one, and (staying within published load data) used felt recoil, and how the brass flew to make sure I wasn't getting too weak or too hot. Then picked out the load that had the best accuracy and used that. But, I was also only using one powder and usually only one bullet for each caliber. When I started getting more powders and different projectiles, I bought a chronograph to make sure what I was expecting was what I was getting. For example, if I start seeing 800+fps out of my TCP (3" .380) with 100g Berry's loading Titegroup...I need to stop there. Early on I had loaded some that sure felt hot, but wasn't sure how much so. Later I chronographed them, and they were over 900fps. I ended up breaking those down. Other times, I've tried matching factory loads. I have some 115 gold dots loaded up that perfectly match the factory Speer stuff. Is a chronograph absolutely necessary? No, but it sure opens a window into the hobby and adds a new dimension of understanding and, for me, fun. Some powder and projectile combinations like to go fast, some have the best accuracy at lower velocities. My 5" 1911 loading 230g FMJ with titegroup give me, well, tite groups at about 760fps, while Bullseye with the same bullet tightens up at around 825. In 9mm, 115g JHPs with Power Pistol have excellent accuracy at 1260fps, with 115 FMJ I find Bullseye performs beautifully running at 1150. I could have gotten there without the chronograph, but it gives me a concrete data point to work with. Also let's me know from lot to lot how consistently I'm loading.
Tuning a load for a particular gun is easier with a chronograph.
And… “I’ve got too many toys already” said no one ever!
see the post below from @bersaguy
bersaguyMember
I use the chronograph as a sanity check. For years I loaded without one, and (staying within published load data) used felt recoil, and how the brass flew to make sure I wasn't getting too weak or too hot. Then picked out the load that had the best accuracy and used that. But, I was also only using one powder and usually only one bullet for each caliber. When I started getting more powders and different projectiles, I bought a chronograph to make sure what I was expecting was what I was getting. For example, if I start seeing 800+fps out of my TCP (3" .380) with 100g Berry's loading Titegroup...I need to stop there. Early on I had loaded some that sure felt hot, but wasn't sure how much so. Later I chronographed them, and they were over 900fps. I ended up breaking those down. Other times, I've tried matching factory loads. I have some 115 gold dots loaded up that perfectly match the factory Speer stuff. Is a chronograph absolutely necessary? No, but it sure opens a window into the hobby and adds a new dimension of understanding and, for me, fun. Some powder and projectile combinations like to go fast, some have the best accuracy at lower velocities. My 5" 1911 loading 230g FMJ with titegroup give me, well, tite groups at about 760fps, while Bullseye with the same bullet tightens up at around 825. In 9mm, 115g JHPs with Power Pistol have excellent accuracy at 1260fps, with 115 FMJ I find Bullseye performs beautifully running at 1150. I could have gotten there without the chronograph, but it gives me a concrete data point to work with. Also let's me know from lot to lot how consistently I'm loading.
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Okay, thanks for the quick response. My goals are: 1-Put 5 bullets through one hole or a slightly larger hole. 2-Do this somewhat consistently 8/10 times...give or take. 3- Eventually do this at progressively longer distances up to and perhaps beyond 1000 yards. I may not live long enough to achieve any of these but the effort is half the enjoyment I get from this hobby.
JFrank
Member
They are a tool like many others, great for doping the load to make a range card/drop chart or confirming your OCD loading practices are paying dividends. Lot to lot variances in powder are recognized etc. but they are not a necessity.
Just my 2 cents
J
Just my 2 cents
J
I've been using the results of my shots on target as my guide. Problem is I'm not very good at diagnosing what my targets are telling me. I'm getting better...slowly. And as you've astutely noticed, adding a chronograph to my "tool box" would just exacerbate my OCD tendencies'
(and I'm out of my meds
!!)
JFrank
Member
I don't use a Chrono for load development instead I read the target out to 1k yards
jmorris
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It’s just another tool in the box. I loaded for more than 2 decades without one and now have a number of them one for home, one at the farm and one that stays in the truck. I probably still wouldn’t have one if it were not for gun games but they do tell you things you don’t know without one.
I don’t chase numbers on the screen or get bent out of shape when data from test barrels exceeds my real world application of the data. If your that type of guy, you might be better off without one.
Unless the numbers are what your after, regardless of accuracy.
I don’t chase numbers on the screen or get bent out of shape when data from test barrels exceeds my real world application of the data. If your that type of guy, you might be better off without one.
Unless the numbers are what your after, regardless of accuracy.
I see your wheelhouse is rifle shooting, but for us pistol shooters a chrono allows us to check our power factor to make sure we're making the minimum required.
Also, with "radar" chrono graphs you can get velocity readings down range which help you determine ballistic coefficient.
Also, with "radar" chrono graphs you can get velocity readings down range which help you determine ballistic coefficient.
Yeah, I think you're right. I'm gonna stay away from chronographs. It'd end up being evidence at my trial after I went bat crap crazy at the range and scared the...well...the bat crap out of folks!
jmorris
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Don get me wrong, they are useful, just not the end all.
However, you use them to “calculate” and later loose sleep at night once you come to find that impacts on targets at different distances don’t match the calculations. It will have done you more harm than good.
However, you use them to “calculate” and later loose sleep at night once you come to find that impacts on targets at different distances don’t match the calculations. It will have done you more harm than good.
I have many many gadgets and gizmos from my various careers. Some I've had for over 40 years and used only once. Adding a chronograph to the list seems wasteful and potentially the gadget that sends me to the "fun house" (and I just got out!!!
)
mcb
Member
Chronographs tell you have fast your bullets (or other projectiles) are going. 
Uses I have found for knowing how fast my bullets are going:
-Long range ballistics rely on knowing your muzzle velocity along with a good BC value for your bullet.
-With a good chronograph you can even calculate your bullets BC if you don't have a good one.
-Several of the sport I shoot have minimum power factors (recoil) levels to compete. Measuring my bullet speed allows me to calculate my power factor and ensures I arrive with ammunition that will make the required power factor.
-Used in conjunction with Quickloads (Internal ballistics software, Gordons Reloading Tool can be used similarly) you can work up loads (carefully) for combinations of bullets/powders/cartridges that have little or no published data (not for the novice but with experience can be done).
Uses I have found for knowing how fast my bullets are going:
-Long range ballistics rely on knowing your muzzle velocity along with a good BC value for your bullet.
-With a good chronograph you can even calculate your bullets BC if you don't have a good one.
-Several of the sport I shoot have minimum power factors (recoil) levels to compete. Measuring my bullet speed allows me to calculate my power factor and ensures I arrive with ammunition that will make the required power factor.
-Used in conjunction with Quickloads (Internal ballistics software, Gordons Reloading Tool can be used similarly) you can work up loads (carefully) for combinations of bullets/powders/cartridges that have little or no published data (not for the novice but with experience can be done).
My experience is published load data is not as accurate as what my rifle is shooting. Using a chronograph shows you exactly what the primer, powder, bullet, rifle, and environment are doing. Shooting on a summer day when it is 90 is different than winter when it is 10. Your chronograph will show you.
Chronographs tell you have fast your bullets (or other projectiles) are going.
Uses I have found for knowing how fast my bullets are going:
-Long range ballistics rely on knowing your muzzle velocity along with a good BC value for your bullet.
-With a good chronograph you can even calculate your bullets BC if you don't have a good one.
-Several of the sport I shoot have minimum power factors (recoil) levels to compete. Measuring my bullet speed allows me to calculate my power factor and ensures I arrive with ammunition that will make the required power factor.
-Used in conjunction with Quickloads (Internal ballistics software, Gordons Reloading Tool can be used similarly) you can work up loads (carefully) for combinations of bullets/powders/cartridges that have little or no published data (not for the novice but with experience can be done).
Knowing my muzzle velocity helps in what way?
Knowing the BC of the bullet helps how?
I have not participated in any official competitions, just with fellow shooters, so your 3rd point doesn't apply to me.
I do know a guy that uses Quick Load and it looks quite interesting and useful. Thought about getting it.
The above questions aren't me being a smartass, they are legitimate questions I have. I'm self taught in target shooting and I'm a lousy student because the teacher is an idiot!!
Chronographs are a good tool.
Work up a load with a low ES/SD and see how it shoots at distance.
As far as telling you if you are getting into high pressure ammo, they are pretty much worthless at that.
I have used Chrony, Oehler, CED and Magnetospeed. I still use the CED with IR screens for pistol ammo and the Magnetospeed for rifle ammo.
Before I spring for a LabRadar I will most likely get a shotmarker instead.
Work up a load with a low ES/SD and see how it shoots at distance.
As far as telling you if you are getting into high pressure ammo, they are pretty much worthless at that.
I have used Chrony, Oehler, CED and Magnetospeed. I still use the CED with IR screens for pistol ammo and the Magnetospeed for rifle ammo.
Before I spring for a LabRadar I will most likely get a shotmarker instead.
Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't most books for load data conducted in a closely controlled environment that rarely mimics the real world? SAAMI has a section dedicated to testing, I think.
I currently have the latest editions of Hornady, Speer, Lyman's and Berger. I have downloaded many data specs as well.
I look at the data for my particular load from all the books, article's and websites I know of and come up with a nominal load
and start from there. Is this a reasonable method or....?
What are the causes for a round to have a different muzzle velocity than another round if everything else is the same.
Powder charge is spot on for every round.
Primers are identical to one another.
Cases are equal in weight and volume
Bullet weights are equal.
Environmental conditions are constant.
Rifle conditions are consistent.
And....?
Powder charge is spot on for every round.
Primers are identical to one another.
Cases are equal in weight and volume
Bullet weights are equal.
Environmental conditions are constant.
Rifle conditions are consistent.
And....?
JFrank
Member
With all of the above perfect you have solved the puzzle.
Okay, but the barrel length doesn't change nor does the twist rate. What makes the muzzle velocity different between rounds with everything else being equal?
My rifles are both Savage's. One is a .308 Long Range Hunter-24" barrel/1:10 twist. The other is a Trophy Hunter-22" barrel/1:10 twist.
No modifications have been made to both other than what I have bolted on to them: scopes, cheek risers, bipods.
I often shoot from a stable (concrete) shooting bench using a bench rest shooting apparatus.
I am using Accurate 2460 @ 40.0 grs very carefully measured for every round.
Bullets are (usually) 168gr. FMJBT polymer tipped seconds from Midway. (I'm a cheap S.O.B because I shoot A LOT!!!)
I have shot 5 rounds through one hole (maybe a little bigger but still one hole). Just not very consistently.
I shoot @ 100 yards about 99% of the time. I have shot out to 600 yards on a few occasions at an 8" steel plate with, to me, impressive results using both rifles.
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