Re: Chrono's are they worth it?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RobertB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been getting by without one. If you have a range to shoot distance then I would go off of actual bullet holes not printed data.</div></div>
DOPE is an acronym that stands for "Data on Previous Engagements."
Today, we have ballistics calculators that tell us how our drops change with differing altitude conditions and elevations.
It is possible to figure out dope without a chronograph, it is just extremely difficult. With your velocity, BC info, hundred yard zero, and atmospheric conditions, you can get on paper quickly at long range and fine tune your BC based on observations.
Without velocity data, you are setting yourself up for failure. I had a factory load that I had not chronied. I went out trying to make up drops for it based on factory data. It was a frustrating experience, and yes, I burned through about $40+ worth of ammo trying to hit paper at long range. In the end, I came up with some dope that I didn't have confidence in.
From a handloading perspective, it is nice to be able to do load development and groupings at short range. You can look at SD's in the chrony to tell if you are doing well. You can also look at your velocities to see if they are even feasible at long range. If you have the most accurate load ever, but the ballistic calculator tells you that you will be at mach at 1,000 yards, it is probably not a good load for 1,000 yards.
For me, my 1,000 yard range is not very accessible, so it is critical to do all or most of my load development at short range before confirmation at long range.
