New reloader - Chrono virgin - need help

[bruss01]

Ok guys...

I am a new reloader. I have set up the bench, read the manuals, and even loaded up a few rounds and they look great. Trouble is, I have never shot any of them. I have a chronograph but have never set it up or used it. I guess what is holding me back is, I don't know what the process is for setting it up at the range. Maybe that sounds silly to you veteran reloaders, but the ignorance and the prospect of just "winging it" without advice is an annoying impediment to my progress as a new reloader.

So, help a fella out here. The two outdoor ranges in my area are the Rancho Cordova range, and the Sacramento Shooting Center out on Ione road. What is the process? Do you have to advise the RM "hey, I'm setting up a chrono on lane 6" or are there certain rules or procedures you have to follow? I don't want to look like a complete idiot walking in, a few tips for the noob would be appreciated.

I think I have been careful and done everything by the book - but the chrono is my triple-check, if the velocity is off from what the book says then I have overlooked or misunderstood something along the way. I can't bring myself to continue reloading without this proof that I am getting it right. So this is really holding me back. I'm sitting on 15k worth of components waiting to be loaded, gathering dust because I'm not 100% sure without the chrono for verification. Sure would like to get up and running!

[capitol]

I use a chrono at the range all the time. During the cease fire when everyone goes down to check/change/post targets take your chrono out and place it 10 feet or so in front of your bench. Then take your target down range and post it up.

Next I come back, get behind the safety line and check to make sure my chrono lines up with my rifle and the target. Its ok to walk back and forth to adjust your chrono, just dont stop at your bench.

Oh and one more thing to consider. There are two type of chrono users. The ones that haven't shot their chrono yet and the ones who have

[Fjold]

capitol does it like I do. But ask the RO when you sign in how they like it done. Most will be fine with you in front of the safety line while people are downrange if they know about it ahead of time.

[freonr22]

i went to use my chrono the first time this week, got it all setup and the wind blew it over and broke the mount

[fairfaxjim]

i went to use my chrono the first time this week, got it all setup and the wind blew it over and broke the mount

OUCH! That sucks!

Also agree with what Fjold said - it is a good idea to always communicate with the Range Officer when you do anything even a little out of the ordinary. They are mostly (I quit going to one range because they weren't) just interested in safety and won't give you a hard time if you work with them. Anytime they see something that looks out of the ordinary, or that you don't have a clue what you are doing, they will be on you real quick. Most will just check you out and be done with it, but some will jump on the PA and make you feel a little embarased, and then a lot PO'd. Easy to avoid.

In addition to not shooting your Chrongraph, if you have one with a remote and don't need to see the front panel after each shot, tape a piece of plastic - you can use clear plastic if you have to see the face - you would be amazed at how much crap seems to come out of the muzzle and smack the chronograph.

[jb7706]

You will be fine at Sac Valley, we used to have a chrono for "rent" until some dipwad shot it and left without paying for it. Let the RO know and you will be double covered, but there are guys setting up chronographs and other stuff all the time.

Shoot me a PM and I can take you up to the Action Pistol bays, plenty of room to spread out and you won't have to worry about holding up cease fires or another id10t putting a hole in your gear.

[GrayWolf09]

I think its great to use a chronograph. Back in the dark ages we did not have relatively inexpensive ones so we did without. But I am troubled by your statement that you anticipate duplicating the "book" velocity or that if you haven't then you have done something wrong. Your velocities will almost certainly differ from the book. You are using a different rifle and most likely a different length barrel. A gross deviation would indicate some sort of mistake, but a small one would not. The goal of reloading is not to duplicate what the book says or even factory ammo. The goal of reloading is to find a the bullet/powder combination that is most accurate in your rifle. You should be able to exceed the accuracy of factory ammo quite easily and at a cheaper cost.

[bruss01]

I think its great to use a chronograph. Back in the dark ages we did not have relatively inexpensive ones so we did without. But I am troubled by your statement that you anticipate duplicating the "book" velocity or that if you haven't then you have done something wrong. Your velocities will almost certainly differ from the book. You are using a different rifle and most likely a different length barrel. A gross deviation would indicate some sort of mistake, but a small one would not. The goal of reloading is not to duplicate what the book says or even factory ammo. The goal of reloading is to find a the bullet/powder combination that is most accurate in your rifle. You should be able to exceed the accuracy of factory ammo quite easily and at a cheaper cost.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I realize there may be a few fps difference either way, but probably not 100 fps difference or more, to me that would mean something needs checked. I am wanting to check that my rounds are sufficient velocity for the intended purpose, without being so high that they indicate an unintended overpressure situation. Also I am reloading for multiple guns, so I want to at least be aware of the velocity difference between my 6" barrel and the 2" barrel. I don't expect an exact match, but should get "ballparkish", in other words, within a couple dozen fps of the book value, with allowance made for the short barrel. The main concern is getting a velocity that indicates the pressure is dangerously high or dangerously low. Also I want to measure for consistency, to see if the rounds are basically the same or wildly different in velocity as a quality control check.

My first goal is to load for safety and effectiveness. Once I am confident that is on track, I will be concerned about maximizing accuracy and cost control.

[swerv512]

what area are you in? i've never set up a chrono but i'm willing to give ya a hand just to get some of my rounds through that thing as well. i'm usually in the bay area...

[bruceflinch]

I'm in the "have shot a chrono group" 2 different ones.

[cassius]

Ok guys...
...I'm sitting on 15k worth of components waiting to be loaded, gathering dust because I'm not 100% sure without the chrono for verification. Sure would like to get up and running!

Asbergers?

Set up your Chrono at home, become familiar with its operation. Heck, fire a BB gun or airsoft thru it, ought to register. Then you can give it some data to work thru the setting and High / Low Vel. and averages.

Check ahead with your selected range and see if they have any quirks about your using it. Some folks set them up on tripods forward of the line / bench, some place them directly on the bench and fire through them there - but that seems too close to me.
And make sure you have a fresh battery in it when you go.

Lastly, this is supposed to all be enjoyable, not a chore or a stack of variables that make you lock up and wind up doing nothing. So gather up your stuff and GO.

[WyoDuner]

Personally, I think a chrono is an essential reloading too for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is to confirm that your loads are performing as expected. As was mentioned, you need to factor in barrel length when comparing published data.


Take a notepad with you and record your data. Pay attention to velocities and compare to pressure signs. Also note average velocities and standard deviation. The less variance in velocity shot to shot the better.

Get a camera tripod to set your chrono up on if you don't already have one. Any cheapie will do just fine.

If you are shooting long range knowing your loads velocities will allow you to perform accurate bullet drop calculations.

I chrono every new load I make.

[Mstnpete]

+1 on what WyoDuner said!
I shoot Ipsc & USPSA "competition shooting" and I always chrono my loads wether I'm at the outdoor shooting range or after a match. We have a power factor to follow. The idea of a power factor uses a simple formula relating the weight of the bullet and the muzzle velocity to determine an energy rating for that particular round out of that particular handgun.

(Bullet Weight in grains * Muzzle Velocity in feet per second) / 1,000 = Power Factor
for example
(180gr bullet * 950fps) / 1,000 = 171 Power Factor

I chrono each load I make because I don't want to fall in the category of having a minor load. Chrono really helps in all reloading!