Chrony data

[Nevada Ed]

Went out the other day to put ten loads on paper and also see what their FPS was.

The first four were fair with a "wild" one now and then and the it happened.
Not normal readings, here and there as well as err postings.

My battery was finally dieing and I did not have a back up, in my bag.
I learned a lesson but I did find out that in my C9 3.5" 9mm pistol,
that a berry 147 RN at a OAL of 1.14" with 3.6gr of Unique does 793 fps,
for a low recoil, poa, accurate loading.

Still a great day,
as I came home and used up four old bananna's to make some Bananna nut bread,
with raisins, per the wife's orders !!

 

[H Richard]

Good to see someone else is still using a "Chrony". They still work and give good readings.

 

[M5741]

There's a lot to be learned from using a chronograph. The velocity, the difference between factory stated velocities and the true velocity fired from ones own firearm. Also, the way different powders burn efficiently, as well as the standard deviations and the extreme spreads that is produced by different powders. Also, difference in velocities per barrel length. So, it's not just a velocity machine. I started out decades ago with the Shooting Chrony. It was a good starter chrony. Well, until I brought my brother out to shoot and his first 22 lr round dead centered the read out screen. He couldn't believe he did that. Neither could I. Yes, he payed to have it replaced. Then, I was testing some birdshot rounds in my Uberti "Evil Roy" 45, and one lone # 9 shot went through the screen. I replaced that one with the ProChrono DLX. I used it for a few years with no complaints. Then, about three months ago my brother bought me a Rangecraft Athlon. This is a really nice piece of electronics. Don't have to worry about rainy days, sunlight or overcast. Just turn it on, program for rifle or pistol, set it next to your firearm and shoot. This Athlon is as handy as pockets on a shirt. Get a chrony, you won't regret it.
Jack

 

[Gamecock]

Placing screens too close to muzzle can cause errant readings.

 

[H Richard]

I always place the unit 8-10 ft in front of the firing point. My last Chrony (still have) is a Beta Model with the separate red-out screen attached by a cable and sits on your bench. Easy to see all your results. In my opinion you can't develop a reload without a chronograph.

 

[38magnum]

I always place the unit 8-10 ft in front of the firing point. My last Chrony (still have) is a Beta Model with the separate red-out screen attached by a cable and sits on your bench. Easy to see all your results. In my opinion you can't develop a reload without a chronograph.

not true at all. Velocity is not a correlation to chamber pressure or quality of ammunition.

If velocity AS a correlation of chamber pressure, any of those youtub videos of people using ammo labelled "1000 fps from 4" barrel" and getting 10 shot tests that range from 800-1100 fps actual velocity would have some pretty dangerous ammo on hand

 

[Nevada Ed]

not true at all. Velocity is not a correlation to chamber pressure or quality of ammunition.

If velocity AS a correlation of chamber pressure, any of those youtub videos of people using ammo labelled "1000 fps from 4" barrel" and getting 10 shot tests that range from 800-1100 fps actual velocity would have some pretty dangerous ammo on hand

Of all the loads I tested. this one was an eye opener, that was between the low and high loads for this bullet's testing.
On 4/22/2011 in a .357 6" Magnum, I loaded a 110gr SJHP , f100 primer, with 10grs of SR4756 powder that gave me
a low of 1178 and a high of 1545fps. A ES of 367 !!
Why this "Middle loading" gave out these figures, baffeled me.

 

[H Richard]

That's why you need a Chronograph. Some powders just don't react as you think they will under various loading's. That's also why powder mfg's and bullet mfg's print loading manuals.

 

[38magnum]

That's why you need a Chronograph. Some powders just don't react as you think they will under various loading's. That's also why powder mfg's and bullet mfg's print loading manuals.

velocity isnt the end all. consistency is what counts.

Have seen many years ago on highroad or thefiringline, a guy was sooo angry that his loads were not getting the book stated velocity. Despite the fact that he was shooting a 3" barrel, and the loads were tested in a 7.5" revolver barrel IN THE BOOK DATA. Kept wanting to go past the book max data load in order to get the extra 300fps. And oddly, I was the only one who kept telling him to screw the velocity and look at the powder charge and difference in barrels.

Thats what got me banned on that site. "trolling" to check the book load data and not expect 3" barrel to do the same as a 7.5" tube

 

[cmj8591]

I'm never going back to sky screens! Ever!!

 

[Legendarylawman]

We have been taking our chrony to the range for that last year and a half and shoot just about everything through it. Almost always everything shoots a bit lower speed than what it say on the box. Two weeks ago we wanted to check if a newly acquired heavily used (Remminton 750 Woodsmaster) auto rifle I bought from the LGS to see if it would shoot slower than a bolt. So, I brought the 750 and two Savage 110's, all in 270, with on having a brand new Shaw barrel with a muzzle break. Federal 130 grain. All have 22" inch barrels, plus the break on the one. The 110 with the brand new barrel shot exaclty box at 3060. The other 110 was 100 less and the 750 auto was 200 more less than that. So, the used (heavily) 750 auto was 300 fps down from the new barrel 110 bolt. Real world testing. Not all auto's loose as much velocity, but this one did and a lot.

You need a chronograph or you are just guessing.

Carl

 

[Rustywrench]

A Chronograph is very useful. I use mine to verify the velocity, so I can make use of the ballistic tables in my load manual. Otherwise, just guessing. I have found that also, the loads with the least deviation seem to shoot the most accurately.

 

[DWalt]

Have used a Chrony Beta for many years, but little since 2022. It does the job. I had an earlier Chrony which worked fine until I put a bullet through it. The Beta was better than my first Chrony as you could put the readout on the shooting bench. It is better if you keep the skyscreens about 10’ ahead of the bench. It also does the basic statistical calculations.

 

[zeke]

I'm never going back to sky screens! Ever!!

The ease of use and consistency of this chrono has gotten back into developing new loads again. Especially since it works at the indoor range i go to in winter.

 

[zeke]

Went out the other day to put ten loads on paper and also see what their FPS was.

The first four were fair with a "wild" one now and then and the it happened.
Not normal readings, here and there as well as err postings.

My battery was finally dieing and I did not have a back up, in my bag.
I learned a lesson but I did find out that in my C9 3.5" 9mm pistol,
that a berry 147 RN at a OAL of 1.14" with 3.6gr of Unique does 793 fps,
for a low recoil, poa, accurate loading.

Still a great day,
as I came home and used up four old bananna's to make some Bananna nut bread,
with raisins, per the wife's orders !!

used a beta version for quite awhile. It was kinda sensitive to angle of sun. After trying some alternative shading techniques, finally settled on small vertical pieces of carboard stuck in back of sensors. Maybe in front of too, but can' remember.