Chronographs

[Robin]

Having returned to reloading, and enjoying it, I am in search of a touch more precision, so I'm thinking about getting a chronograph. I'm only loading for two rifle calibers at present, the 8 mm Mauser, and the 6.8 SPC AR with a 16" barrel, this is the one I am more interested in developing. I will be using Sierra 110gr. Pro-Hunters. All the data in the book is compiled using a 20"Barrel, so using recommended loads, my results in FPS will not be the same. I want to optimize the round but at the same time I don't want to beat the crap out of my rifle. Do you fellows find it helpful to have a chronograph and what brand do you recommend. I've never taken a deer with a centerfire rifle and am searching for the ultimate hunting load within the parameters I have established for myself. Should be fun!
Robin

 

[capitalcrew]

You're gonna like that 6.8 for deer. I shoot factory ammo and I'm really impressed with it, I'm sure yours will be even better. Can't help with the chronograph though.

 

[dsdmmat]

I have a shooting chrony F1 Master, which I have used for the last 2 decades and wont go any other route.

The New technology is one that attaches to your barrel (cannot remember the brand). I just didn't see spending the money they wanted for it since I already have one.

 

[kev74]

Also have the Chrony F1. It works well, but doesn't like fluorescent lights.

 

[JamieZ]

I have a shooting chrony F1 Master, which I have used for the last 2 decades and wont go any other route.

The New technology is one that attaches to your barrel (cannot remember the brand). I just didn't see spending the money they wanted for it since I already have one.

If this is what you mean,,,,I was considering purchasing one. They have another just like it but upgraded for 380

MagnetoSpeed Sporter Chronograph

 

[ManrisFrack]

Magnetospeed. I got the Sporter version for Christmas from the wife.

I used it for the first time a couple weeks ago, the same day as I shot the March NYGF target challenge. I spent more time shooting those ten shots than I spent setting up and firing five over the MagnetoSpeed and my wife continued shooting on the same line the whole time. I bought the dongle for my phone and downloaded the free app to my phone. String was done, hooked the module to my phone and had it in the app within 30 seconds. I added notes when I got home and emailed it all as a .CSV that will upload straight into Excel.

I've never used the older chronographs but I can't imagine them beating the MagnetoSpeed in ease of use. My only issue was that I didn't have it tight enough and it moved under recoil.

ETA: 110gr Accubonds, SSA Tactical load averaged 2631fps from my 18" 6.8.

 

[JamieZ]

Magnetospeed. I got the Sporter version for Christmas from the wife.

I used it for the first time a couple weeks ago, the same day as I shot the March NYGF target challenge. I spent more time shooting those ten shots than I spent setting up and firing five over the MagnetoSpeed and my wife continued shooting on the same line the whole time. I bought the dongle for my phone and downloaded the free app to my phone. String was done, hooked the module to my phone and had it in the app within 30 seconds. I added notes when I got home and emailed it all as a .CSV that will upload straight into Excel.

I've never used the older chronographs but I can't imagine them beating the MagnetoSpeed in ease of use. My only issue was that I didn't have it tight enough and it moved under recoil.

ETA: 110gr Accubonds, SSA Tactical load averaged 2631fps from my 18" 6.8.

Thats what the complaints were in the reviews on Midway,,,,plus people breaking the strap from tightening it to much to hold it from moving

 

[dsdmmat]

If this is what you mean,,,,I was considering purchasing one. They have another just like it but upgraded for 380

MagnetoSpeed Sporter Chronograph

Yeah that is the one I was talking about. This is the one I have Shooting Chrony F1 Master Chronograph

 

[Mosinitis]

I have a shooting chrony F1 Master, which I have used for the last 2 decades and wont go any other route.

The New technology is one that attaches to your barrel (cannot remember the brand). I just didn't see spending the money they wanted for it since I already have one.

I own Chrony F1 for about the same period of time. It is cheap and does its job very well. I paid about $40 for the basic model at the time.

 

[Mosinitis]

OP, if you want to improve accuracy of your ammo, load match quality bullets from Sierra, Berger, Hornady and even Nosler. Load development that people talk about, finding that magic load that improves accuracy is 95% bullshit. Use match quality bullets, keep everything consistent and it will group out of quality barrel.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

"I want to optimize the round but at the same time I don't want to beat the crap out of my rifle."

What do you mean by this?

 

[Robin]

Pretty self-explanatory, Get the most accurate and effective hunting round without over taxing the mechanical limitations of the device that is there for the sole purpose of delivering them on target. Many ways to say it I guess, but for people that shoot only factory loaded ammunition this isn't really an option.
Robin

 

[kev74]

I think the most valuable information I get from using the chronograph is making sure everything is consistent. You get a good idea what the performance of the round is from the loading book (power) and from groups on a target (accuracy), but its nice reassurance when I get a low standard deviation and a small overall velocity spread.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Pretty self-explanatory, Get the most accurate and effective hunting round without over taxing the mechanical limitations of the device that is there for the sole purpose of delivering them on target. Many ways to say it I guess, but for people that shoot only factory loaded ammunition this isn't really an option.
Robin

I see. If you don't go over the published data I think you should be fine. I thought maybe you meant the barrel length would have something to do with "beating up" the rifle.

ETA I would recommend getting a traditional chrono over a magneto type for one main reason. With a traditional chrono you can measure velocity at varying distances.

 

[Mosinitis]

The problem with chronographs, they don't really show the consistency of your ammo, unless it is fired from the rifle set in a rest. Consistency of how you shoulder the rifle will be a bigger factor in what the chronograph will tell. Most people overlook that (it's high school physics). There is a lot of anecdotal evidence of accurate ammo that doesn't show consistency on chronographs.

 

[Robin]

I think I will spring for one. At my age I have been reluctant to buy another gun, so I will work on getting the most from what I have, Though I really would like to get a .40 carbine, damn!
Robin

 

[spat]

They are also very valuable when printing ballistic tables. You can enter the actual MV of your rounds in your rifle, rather than a published average, or back calculating them from the drop you measure at a couple distances.

You can also take the spread of velocity values you expect and print up a table with the min and max and that will give you an idea of what accuracy you can expect at various distances before you actually try it out.