chronograph Why?

[kombayotch]

Re: chronograph Why?

The chronograph is also useful for re-tuning a load due to changes in the powder caused by things like temperature or lot variation. Velocity, pressure and barrel time are all directly related. If one has changed, so have the others. When things aren't going right because it's a different season, or because you've picked up a new lot of powder, the chrono will tell you if your velocity has changed and re-adjusting the load to the know good velocity will often fix the problem.

You can do this without the chrono by trial and error, just as you can figure out your trajectories without one by trial and error, but you'll usually burn up less powder and components with the help of the chronograph. It's a tool that pays for itself in the longs run.

 

[captrichardson]

Re: chronograph Why?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"...without a chronograph for load development, you are completely in the dark."

Understand what you mean but that's a great overstatement; no matter what the chronograph says we all judge the final results on the targets. </div></div>

The "final results" on the target could be the result of 4 variables:
- Environment
- Rifle
- Shooter
- Ammo
or any given combination of those variables.

With a chrono, you have much more insight into the "Ammo Variable", which can also help you to determine if the others are coming into play or not.

You see vertical stringing on the target, what is causing it?

If the chrono is giving you good/consistent numbers, then you can basically rule out velocity variations are causing it. Without the chrono, how are you going to do that?

Also throw in, as pointed out, having accurate velocities, especially for multiple environments, can help you really tune your ballistic program output. This gives you the ability to shoot in a very wide range of circumstances with good accurate data. You can try to build a set of observed results, from which you can draw on, but ultimately being able to input the exact variables that you are shooting in is going to give you much better results, versus using existing data which may only partially match the circumstances that you are shooting in.

When the chrono, targets, and ballistic program are all agreeing, then you have a winning combination that is pretty much impossible to beat!

Best of Luck,
M Richardson

 

[Tripwire]

Re: chronograph Why?

Mr. Mayfield I do use a chrono for certain things, but I don't trust the results until it's confirmed by actual rounds down range. Was merely pointing out that if drop data was needed, it could in fact be done without a chrono and a computer...nothing more, nothing less. I certainly hope the rest of your attempt at a lecture was directed towards someone else because it didn't do much for me.....except that maybe I should finally invest in a ballistics calculator, or not.

I understand that shooting is a tough gig for a lot of people. While perusing forums like this I have to constantly remind myself of that. I also realize that reloading precision ammo is some sort of practice in mystical voodoo to many; and the thought of actually understanding how to build a load that defeats much of what you imply as detrimetal would snap more than a few minds.....

But, what blows me away, based on what's inevitably posted in threads like these, is how in the hell did we ever win wars, and people do great, great things with a rifle be it on the battlefield, the competition range, or the hunting grounds....LONG before technology dictated to us that chronographs and ballistic calculators were absolute must have critical gear.

Simply fucking amazing........

 

[Clark]

Re: chronograph Why?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mouse07410</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Clark</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had an 80 year old guy build a barn for me, and he did it without a tape measure. He did it without plans........
I can get tiny groups at 100 yards, and have nothing to do with the chronograph.

But I like a chronograph for bragging on the internet. My 223 can get 4200 fps.</div></div>
The point of chronographing your ammo is to be able to predict where your <span style="text-decoration: underline">first</span> shot would hit when the distance to your target is greater than 100 yards. </div></div>
I get it now.
Those 3 chronographs I shot with handguns..it was just nature telling me that I was engaging in pointless floundering.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: chronograph Why?

".. reloading precision ammo is some sort of practice in mystical voodoo to many; and the thought of actually understanding how to build a load that defeats much of what you imply as detrimetal would snap more than a few minds.."

So true. Seems a LOT of people convience themselves that any gimmic they like and/or get some degree of assistance from is, by that fact, a "necessity" and anyone who might logically disagree just isn't very bright. I enjoy using my chronograph but I know it's not much of a handicap for most of us to be without one.

Oh well, those suggesting a chronograph, bushing sizer die, tumblers and polished cases, neck turners, QL program, digital scales, etc, are near necessities are wrong but harmless so it really doesn't matter.