First time out with my chrono

bossman · February 25, 2012, 12:19 PM

I didn't shoot it, so yeah I'm happy. I was getting a lot of extreme reading at first and by trial and error finally got up and going. I found most of my loads were close to what I thought they would be.

I had one load of 45acp down lower than I wanted and one set of 9mm plated push 1200 fps, yikes. Great shooting round and very accurate but my gun would eject the brass to the next county. I thought they may be a little warm but found they're just hot. Next batch will be about 3gr lighter and will see how they work for accuracy.

I shot about 400 round and other than checking my POA and POI for each gun everything else went over the chrono.

How often do ya'll use your chrono? Just for checking new loads or everytime out?

I guess I'm getting soft, rubbed a blister on the inside of my thumb.

Zach W. · February 25, 2012, 12:29 PM

Dropping down 3 grains in 9mm might put you below the recommended starting load.

bossman · February 25, 2012, 12:58 PM

My bad how about .3 grs

steve4102 · February 25, 2012, 01:03 PM

How far did you set the Chrony from the muzzle?

steve4102 · February 25, 2012, 01:04 PM

Hey looky, looky, I just made 1000 posts.

g.willikers · February 25, 2012, 01:06 PM

Checking new loads is usually sufficient.
As long as the components and loading methods are consistent, and for the same gun, an occasional spot check is all that is needed.
As you discovered, if there's something amiss, it will be evident.

David Bachelder · February 25, 2012, 01:25 PM

I use mine only to research new loads. I've only shot it once

It did survive.

bossman · February 25, 2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve4102

How far did you set the Chrony from the muzzle?

I end up 10 to 12 feet away. And congrats on that 1k post.

Lost Sheep · February 25, 2012, 03:54 PM

Muzzle blast can cause erratic readings, as well as pieces of unburnt powder being detected by the instrument. Sunlight can be problematic, too. Occasionally the odd angle of sun or a little reflective glint can cause a momentary inability to be accurate. Magic? Seems like it.

Sorry I can't be more help, but in general:

Set the instrument as far as possible from the muzzle of your gun.
In direct sunlight set the diffuser screens properly over the sensors.
In open shade with clear blue skies, try with and without sensors and see which seems to work best.
Under partly cloudy skies where the sunlight is intermittent, wait a while and hope the weather changes.
Under even, light overcast, count your blessings. That is the best light for your chronograph.

Good luck.

Lost Sheep

steve4102 · February 25, 2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

I end up 10 to 12 feet away. And congrats on that 1k post.

That should be OK, but next time set it out at 15 feet and see what happens.

**Unclenick** · February 25, 2012, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossman

I had one load of 45acp down lower than I wanted and one set of 9mm plated push 1200 fps, yikes. Great shooting round and very accurate but my gun would eject the brass to the next county. I thought they may be a little warm but found they're just hot. Next batch will be about 3gr lighter and will see how they work for accuracy.

Just to make sure, you do understand that velocity is proportional to average pressure in the bore and not the peak pressure. So it can't tell you if the pressure is safe. Moreover, even if it could, its not that hard of circumstances to make a chronograph read off by 50 fps. Fine for comparing SD's and duplicating your own test load, but not accurate enough to be sure your peak pressure matches some other gun's peak pressure with the same velocity even using the same powder.

bossman · February 26, 2012, 10:52 AM

The good part is I now have a database for my powder, my bullet and my gun.

I know published velocity is a ballpark figure and every gun will be different. The published loads are like being in the upper deck with the chrono loads it's like being in the first row. I can see whats happening and get a better feel of the game.

February 25, 2012, 12:19 PM	#1
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 987	First time out with my chrono I didn't shoot it, so yeah I'm happy. I was getting a lot of extreme reading at first and by trial and error finally got up and going. I found most of my loads were close to what I thought they would be. I had one load of 45acp down lower than I wanted and one set of 9mm plated push 1200 fps, yikes. Great shooting round and very accurate but my gun would eject the brass to the next county. I thought they may be a little warm but found they're just hot. Next batch will be about 3gr lighter and will see how they work for accuracy. I shot about 400 round and other than checking my POA and POI for each gun everything else went over the chrono. How often do ya'll use your chrono? Just for checking new loads or everytime out? I guess I'm getting soft, rubbed a blister on the inside of my thumb. __________________ NRA life member When the going gets tough, I just open another beer.

February 25, 2012, 12:58 PM	#3
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 987	My bad how about .3 grs __________________ NRA life member When the going gets tough, I just open another beer.

February 25, 2012, 01:06 PM	#6
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 2,544	Checking new loads is usually sufficient. As long as the components and loading methods are consistent, and for the same gun, an occasional spot check is all that is needed. As you discovered, if there's something amiss, it will be evident. __________________ Lock the doors, they're coming in the windows.

February 25, 2012, 01:25 PM	#7
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 409	I use mine only to research new loads. I've only shot it once It did survive. __________________ David Bachelder Rookie reloader, but learning fast Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, .40, 38 S&W, .38 Special, .357, .45ACP, .45 Colt, .243 and 30-06

February 26, 2012, 10:52 AM	#12
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 987	The good part is I now have a database for my powder, my bullet and my gun. I know published velocity is a ballpark figure and every gun will be different. The published loads are like being in the upper deck with the chrono loads it's like being in the first row. I can see whats happening and get a better feel of the game. __________________ NRA life member When the going gets tough, I just open another beer.

February 25, 2012, 12:29 PM	#2
Zach W. Member Join Date: March 4, 2010 Posts: 69	Dropping down 3 grains in 9mm might put you below the recommended starting load.

February 25, 2012, 01:03 PM	#4
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,288	How far did you set the Chrony from the muzzle?

February 25, 2012, 01:04 PM	#5
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,288	Hey looky, looky, I just made 1000 posts.

February 25, 2012, 03:54 PM	#9
Lost Sheep Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 2,713	Muzzle blast can cause erratic readings, as well as pieces of unburnt powder being detected by the instrument. Sunlight can be problematic, too. Occasionally the odd angle of sun or a little reflective glint can cause a momentary inability to be accurate. Magic? Seems like it. Sorry I can't be more help, but in general: Set the instrument as far as possible from the muzzle of your gun. In direct sunlight set the diffuser screens properly over the sensors. In open shade with clear blue skies, try with and without sensors and see which seems to work best. Under partly cloudy skies where the sunlight is intermittent, wait a while and hope the weather changes. Under even, light overcast, count your blessings. That is the best light for your chronograph. Good luck. Lost Sheep