How useful is a Chronograph for a pistol target shooter

silverfoxdj

silverfoxdj

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Was wondering if I would see any advantages in using a Chrono to develop loads for a variety of Semi auto & Revolvers for target use.

I shoot a mostly Bullseye & Tightgroup with minimum loads and look for accuracy above all. Glock17, CZ75, STI Trojan in 9 and 45ACP Ruger Blackhawk in 38 SPL WC and S&W 14-4 38 SPL wadcutters.

I only reload for one 223 rifle..

Wonder what would be the most effective Chrono without mortgaging the farm if I went that way..

Thanks to all who contribute..
 
I like having a chrono. It makes me feel good, because I am a nerd. If you are considering it, you're a nerd too. It can reveal loads with the lowest standard deviations. I haven't found much difference in pistol accuracy with SD, but I don't shoot that well. If you're at minimum loads, it does show you the point where powder starts to burn more uniformly, which might lead to better accuracy. If you don't have to meet power factor, it's probably just another toy to futz with. That means more time on the range.

I have one of the Chrony models. It was cheap. It only works outdoors, and is a bit iffy on a sunny day. I do any stats math in Excel, so I don't care about built in features.
 
I've used my chrony on some of my pistol loads but more so just out of curiosity then as load development. Im not nearly a good enough handgun shooter to worry about that
 
I use one and it is helpful. I found a sweet load for my Gp 100,(7.0 grains of Unique) I would have found it without using one, however I noticed by looking at the results that the ES was very small, along with decent numbers on either side of that load. Sometimes I will revisit a load based on the numbers as it "looks like it should be accurate" and maybe I just shot a crappy group and it was not the loads fault. You might not know where your best accuracy is until you increase your load. Of course if your load gets near the top it can help determine pressure spikes.
I just have a Shooting Chrony Beta, it works well, but I would try and look elsewhere as it is archaic.``````
 
I have one of the shooting chrony ones, its ok but I don't use many of the bells and whistles I paid for.
As for the value of it if your not trying to meet a power factor or if you are not pushing the upper end of a combo then its value would be nil.
However if you need to make a power factor it is invaluable.
 
A chronograph is something I'm contemplating as well....

It has been said ( I forget by who...) that an accurate load will very likely have a consistent velocity, but a consistent velocity does not necessarily make for an accurate load.

If you're shooting IPSC, you'll want to know that your loads will make power factor, with a reasonable cushion as well. I'd hate to got to a match thinking I was shooting major, only to find out the ammo was actually 25 fps too slow to make the power factor.

Stan
 
I bought one when I was shooting IPSC years ago, but I don't use it for working up a handgun load anymore, not needed. It is quite useful for rifle load testing though, I find.
 
Unless you're shooting handgun silhouette or are trying to get the bare minimum to make major a chronograph for pistol loads is about as useful as t*ts on a shovel.
 
For target shooting, I have not seen the need ( for myself ) to know the velocity of my loads.
My concern is the results of the groups on paper. I try different loads until I find
the most accurate one & that's it.
A chrony can be handy for certain applications though.
 
On the IPSC power factor front, it's not just about making major.
Ever see a guy's face when he finds out he isn't shooting for score? (below minor)
I have.
With the emergence of production flirting with minimal cushions in minor power factor is fairly common and has even spread to other divisions- revo comes to mind.
Considering temperature, humidity and altitude changes between ranges and days minor loads with minimal cushion can bite a competitor in the butt.
Even different chrono's can read slightly different. I always develop a load with enough cushion and then record in my data book the PF I get in a match (along with particulars).
I've seen changes of 10 PF (largest swing) so knowing what it is where you are and what you need it to be at where you are going is important.
Leaving the numbers to chance could lead to an expensive trip for nothing.
As for the Ransom Rest- I want one.
The chrony just identifies if you make the grade as far as rules go, once that is done it has limited value. A rest will help develop a load that is accurate by eliminating the variable of the shooter, now if they just weren't so expensive...
 
picked mine up in the states, walmart has some cheap chronos at about $100. Can be useful for building up a load. when I first started loading I would compare mine to factory to see if I was getting similar speeds or not.
 
dakotamar said:
picked mine up in the states, walmart has some cheap chronos at about $100. Can be useful for building up a load. when I first started loading I would compare mine to factory to see if I was getting similar speeds or not.
Click to expand...

those cheap walmart chronies are made in Canada :)
 
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