CHRONOGRAPH USE AND BASIC SAFETY
- Thread starter Edsel
- Start date
No, it helps with knowing if your loads are showing great SD's. I started without one, only mattered when I need a Ballistics calculator
Your snippet lacks context, but a chrono does perform a safety function, and not everyone measures case heads. Time and again we see handloaders loading to book max, thinking everything is peachy, because the book says so afterall, while ignoring obvious pressure signs. The high chrono velocity would have been another indication of high pressure. No guarantee they would take it as a warning of course, as some think physics just gave them a pass on their shiny new gun.
The results of reloading manifest in multiple ways ... a chronograph gives directional information regarding the anticipated velocity envelope for the cartridge and load specifications. Velocities outside of expected results would indicate a possible (or probable) issue.
It's not just for safety, but a very useful tool in the process to monitor safe loads
It's not just for safety, but a very useful tool in the process to monitor safe loads
I started without one, too.
I still keep my very first batch of Lapua .308 Winchester brass, since retired, as a reminder - only four firings, 40% with loose primer pockets.
Book loads, but approaching maximum recommended.
While not catastrophic, I was probably doing something unsafe.
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Look sir this is snipers hide... Reloading here starts at book Max
Ah yes! The 80ksi no pressure signs at all, 1/4 moa every damn day if you do your part, reloading.
lol. . . it depends.
A chronograph is good at telling you how well you're reloading your cases (like, how consistent they are). But, it's not definitive on what load works best in your particular gun, though consistency in cartridges helps a lot. A chronograph is not necessary for load development as it's the target that'll tell you when you have a good load.
For ELR shooters, knowing what MV to input into their firing solution is a big deal.
Obviously the velocity data can be important to determining a safe load but it doesn't replace the usual signs of excessive pressure. It is not critical to developing a good load either but it does make it easier to predict which loads will like work better at longer ranges. A load that shoots small groups at shorter ranges with high SD/ES isn't likely to do well beyond 500-600yds. Similarly a good SD/ES doesn't necessarily mean that a load will group well at short distances. Ultimately the target is deciding factor.
Chronographs have been cheap for a long time but the issue was that were difficult to setup and use. With the advent of affordable radar units that only require a quick setup and can provide continuous data without interfering with shooting. Probably the best benefit is the demonstration of the issues with small sample sizes and how that type of data can lead to questionable conclusions.
Chronographs have been cheap for a long time but the issue was that were difficult to setup and use. With the advent of affordable radar units that only require a quick setup and can provide continuous data without interfering with shooting. Probably the best benefit is the demonstration of the issues with small sample sizes and how that type of data can lead to questionable conclusions.
It's Sniper's Hide... At least 25% of the dudes posting lightning fast velocities are full of shit too. 50% of the remaining don't know how to read pressure signs, and the other half doesn't care because velocity trumps accuracy in any forum argument.
Chronographs are great tools. If you needed to reach a certain velocity for some reason, or if you're wanting low spreads...the info is right there. Over the course of your life, you will save money with one because you aren't using up nearly as many components in your reloading journey.
I would put a chronograoh on the list of "must haves" these days. Even a super-basic ocular unit will only set you back $150.
I thought for most they just read other people's post and say books are stupid at least that was what I was told when asking if anyone had a book that had certain load data my two books didn't because I wanted to buy a book that did.
