Learning some stuff w/my first Chrony

steve1147 · December 10, 2010, 07:11 PM

I've learned:
ALL the factory rounds I have are faster than my reloads. This includes 38 spl, 357 mag, and 45 acp.
What I THOUGHT was a hot/fast round in 357 due to the kick and flash (20 grains Win 296 under a 125 grain jhp) is actually slower than factory Remington with the same bullet, AND over 120fps slower than my loads of 10 grains of HS-6! (got average of 1364/sec out of this, 1402 out of factory Remington, only 1256 with the 'almost violent' loads of 296)
Of course, I'm shooting all 4" barrels, I'm sure a 6"+ would increase speeds and probably work better with different loads.
I fired 6 of each and averaged the speeds. No matter, I've found something new and interesting!
Steve W.

k4swb · December 10, 2010, 08:59 PM

Chronographs are fun, and eye opening.

kdog70 · December 10, 2010, 10:43 PM

I was so happy when I got my first chrono. My "accurate" rifle loads were very slow with terrible ES and ED. So I got to do a whole bunch of shooting and load development. Now I do load development a little different,

I borrowed an idea from a gunsmith on longrangehunting.com. He shoots loads over a chronograph and finds max pressure and backs off 2 grains with large cases and find he gets 1/2moa loads with usually less then 20 ES. I have had great luck with that style and I tweak my loads after sometimes just like everyone else. I have done it this way 4 rifles and 1 243 center grip pistol.

Brian Pfleuger · December 10, 2010, 10:49 PM

A chrony is an awesome piece of equipment. I consider it required for handloading. Considering that a decent unit is $80, I don't know why anyone would be without one for long.

P-990 · December 10, 2010, 11:18 PM

Hmmm... That's not a very "hot" 125gr load with the 296. I run only a grain less with a 140gr XTP. My combination with the 140 is accurate but doesn't have outstanding ES and SD, and runs a bit slow too.

But the moral is, chronographs can be fun and educational! So many times the results make you go

Shoney · December 10, 2010, 11:51 PM

YEAH! They are a lot of fun! But it's an absolute knee slappin' gut buster when someone shoots the chrony

.

I haven't had the fun of shooting mine, but my son has shot the sky filters out twice

.

steve1147 · December 12, 2010, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Hmmm... That's not a very "hot" 125gr load with the 296. I run only a grain less with a 140gr XTP.

When I first worked it up a year or so ago others on this forum agreed with you, and my manual says 22 gns. max. instead of the 20 I was loading.
I stopped at 20 due to the noise/kick and the slightly flattened primers. I was assurred my GP100 would handle more, but I was going by seat-of-the-pants feel. The 296 just felt more like 'explosive' than 'accelerant'!

December 10, 2010, 07:11 PM	#1
steve1147 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Valles Mines, Missouri Posts: 142	Learning some stuff w/my first Chrony I've learned: ALL the factory rounds I have are faster than my reloads. This includes 38 spl, 357 mag, and 45 acp. What I THOUGHT was a hot/fast round in 357 due to the kick and flash (20 grains Win 296 under a 125 grain jhp) is actually slower than factory Remington with the same bullet, AND over 120fps slower than my loads of 10 grains of HS-6! (got average of 1364/sec out of this, 1402 out of factory Remington, only 1256 with the 'almost violent' loads of 296) Of course, I'm shooting all 4" barrels, I'm sure a 6"+ would increase speeds and probably work better with different loads. I fired 6 of each and averaged the speeds. No matter, I've found something new and interesting! Steve W.

December 10, 2010, 10:49 PM	#4
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,694	A chrony is an awesome piece of equipment. I consider it required for handloading. Considering that a decent unit is $80, I don't know why anyone would be without one for long. __________________ https://ecommercearms.com I am the owner/operator! Ask me for custom prices! No sales tax outside CO!

December 10, 2010, 11:18 PM	#5
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: SWNH Posts: 1,331	Hmmm... That's not a very "hot" 125gr load with the 296. I run only a grain less with a 140gr XTP. My combination with the 140 is accurate but doesn't have outstanding ES and SD, and runs a bit slow too. But the moral is, chronographs can be fun and educational! So many times the results make you go __________________ NRA Master, Highpower Rifle, Across-the-Course NRA Expert, Highpower Rifle, Mid-Range Prone

December 10, 2010, 11:51 PM	#6
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	YEAH! They are a lot of fun! But it's an absolute knee slappin' gut buster when someone shoots the chrony. I haven't had the fun of shooting mine, but my son has shot the sky filters out twice.

December 10, 2010, 08:59 PM	#2
k4swb Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2009 Posts: 389	Chronographs are fun, and eye opening.

December 10, 2010, 10:43 PM	#3
kdog70 Member Join Date: September 18, 2008 Location: Marquette,Mi Posts: 89	I was so happy when I got my first chrono. My "accurate" rifle loads were very slow with terrible ES and ED. So I got to do a whole bunch of shooting and load development. Now I do load development a little different, I borrowed an idea from a gunsmith on longrangehunting.com. He shoots loads over a chronograph and finds max pressure and backs off 2 grains with large cases and find he gets 1/2moa loads with usually less then 20 ES. I have had great luck with that style and I tweak my loads after sometimes just like everyone else. I have done it this way 4 rifles and 1 243 center grip pistol.