Using Your Cronograph

[SDJim]

I picked up another box of misc reloading stuff from someone at work that contained a Dillon electronic scale, 2 K of Berry's Plated Bullets (9mm & 40) and a PACT chronograph.

The scale works great, I need load data for the Berry's Bullets and after changing the battery in the cronograph, it seems to work fine. My question is concerning the chronograph.

I have an opportunity to possibly go coyote hunting in East County San Diego in a month or two and the only rifle I have that's not overkill is my AR.

In another box I got from someone else, there was a box of Hornady 60grn varment bullets. I was looking at the load data and it looks like my 1-7" barrel should be OK.

The question is how do develope data & groups. I was thinking of loading 10 at each powder charge and shooting 5 for data and 5 for a group. Will that work?

Just wondering.

[30Cal]

You can shoot a group and chronograph at the same time. Bring two or three different loads. I minimize chronograph work because it distracts from actual shooting.

[Ugly Dwarf]

I usually try to set my chrono up in such a way that it allows me to see the 100 yard target and shoot for groups too.

If you already had an accurate load worked up and just wanted to get true velocity (that is to say, not just trust what the book told you), you could just shoot them over the chrono into the dirt.

Since you're trying to find accuracy as well as consistancy, shoot 'em for groups over the chrono. I tend to shoot two groups of three, then one of four - 10 over the chrono for SD, ES, etc... along with three groups for averaging.

[Jonathan Doe]

I load 10 rounds each of different powder first. Then I pick the best performer from the batch and try different powder weight. Then try different seating dept. IT took me over a year of experiment to find the best combination. (bullets, cartridge cases, powder and its weights, seating depth and primers)

For chronograph, I shoot 10 shot groups.