I am probably just looking for an excuse to buy more gear, but....... Strictly speaking factory loads, how important is it to have a chronograph to correct your velocity in a ballistic calculator? I am using TRASOL, which has worked out well on the range so far.
Importance of chronograph with calculator
- Thread starter Akdodge88
- Start date
As far as a calculator input is concerned, you can get by without it. I found the most value out of my Magnetospeed while evaluating different factory ammo and gaining a real understanding of the variances in velocity that can be expected. It really helps add some context at times.
I would want a chronograph even with factory loads. It's nice to know what the sd's are and to get an average velocity instead of getting an idea off the box and walking your shots into the target. It's one tool in wish I bought when I got into this hobby instead of several years later.
I’ve been debating getting one, just can’t tell if it’s worth the cost or not. Since I know velocity can vary from the factory especially if I’m using a longer or shorter barrel, plus adding a suppressor I’ve read can change it too.
I know when I get into reloading, I’m going to want one, just don’t know if I need one right now. It’s a toss up between upgrading to a better rangefinder, getting a kestrel or getting a chronograph.
there's a lot of people that know a whole lot more than I do, but I can at least relate my experiences. My rifle is in 6.5 Creedmoor, and the main purpose is to be able to shoot decent factory ammo affordably, just don't have time for anything else. Spend more time behind the gun, it's usually the indian not the bow.... all that stuff. I am glad I had a Magnetospeed during my assessment of all the different options. For instance:
- the FGMM 130 Berger Hybrids were very consistent on paper at 100 yards, but there was a very large ES and SD compared to other things. I only had to buy one box of them to figure that out. AT MY SKILL LEVEL, I probably would have shot 3x that many and spent hours of valuable range time to figure it out w/out accurate MV data.
- I also did a barrel chop after about 300 rounds. With everything already set up in the calculator, all it took was a box of ammo and an hour to get updated... once again saved valuable range time figuring it out the hard way.
- Quicker verification of MV in different temperature ranges
It can definitely be done by getting dope and working backwards in the calculator. My range time is very valuable, just don't get a whole lot of opportunities with work and family obligations. When I do get to go, I'd prefer to spend it getting better at shooting with a known quantity of box ammo performance, not figuring out the hard way which one works best. The investment in a Magnetospeed saves me a bunch of time, based on my needs it has paid for itself.
Regarding a Kestrel.... there's no doubt it's good to have a stand alone unit, but to start out with I have been doing just fine with a ~$100 Weather Flow meter and a calculator on my Iphone.
- the FGMM 130 Berger Hybrids were very consistent on paper at 100 yards, but there was a very large ES and SD compared to other things. I only had to buy one box of them to figure that out. AT MY SKILL LEVEL, I probably would have shot 3x that many and spent hours of valuable range time to figure it out w/out accurate MV data.
- I also did a barrel chop after about 300 rounds. With everything already set up in the calculator, all it took was a box of ammo and an hour to get updated... once again saved valuable range time figuring it out the hard way.
- Quicker verification of MV in different temperature ranges
It can definitely be done by getting dope and working backwards in the calculator. My range time is very valuable, just don't get a whole lot of opportunities with work and family obligations. When I do get to go, I'd prefer to spend it getting better at shooting with a known quantity of box ammo performance, not figuring out the hard way which one works best. The investment in a Magnetospeed saves me a bunch of time, based on my needs it has paid for itself.
Regarding a Kestrel.... there's no doubt it's good to have a stand alone unit, but to start out with I have been doing just fine with a ~$100 Weather Flow meter and a calculator on my Iphone.
I can feel you with the cost of range time. Living in Alaska ammo prices can get ridiculous. Sounds like I will have to look into getting a chronograph, as I would like to become more efficient at assessing optimal loads.
I keep hearing Magnetospeed referenced, so I'm assuming it is a recommended brand?
it comes highly recommended as far as I'm concerned..... strap it on the muzzle, and don't worry about setting up some contraption and shooting through it, or environmental conditions affecting accuracy. It will change your POI, but it's repeatable. My guns have always been just as accurate with/without, just with a small POI shift.
I bought the V3 because I have a suppressor, it's more expensive. If I could do it all over, I would have bought the cheaper V1 and spent the rest of the money on one of the rail mount systems so it wouldn't touch the barrel. I would use it a whole lot more often and gather more data every time I shot that way.
I bought the V3 because I have a suppressor, it's more expensive. If I could do it all over, I would have bought the cheaper V1 and spent the rest of the money on one of the rail mount systems so it wouldn't touch the barrel. I would use it a whole lot more often and gather more data every time I shot that way.
The Labradar costs a bit more but it works great and doesn’t affect your point of aim. You don’t have to shoot through it and no need to hang it off your gun.
I can strap the Sporter to my suppressor without any issues. You may have to adjust the sensitivity, but it was pretty easy for me.
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