Thread: Incremental load test anomalies

Originally Posted by dannyb

Many many things.....
If using an optical chrono take the velocities with a grain of salt. The results are often consistent but rarely accurate. They are good for identifying ES(velocity spread for given charge weights) but average for accurate velocity readings.
Brass prep can effect it variable neck tension clean or carboned up brass plus many other variables.
It really depends how deep down the rabbit hole you want to go.
There are so many things that can all effect velocity and accuracy it really depends what your trying to achieve.

Thks.

My top goal is accurate tight groups. I.e. having a clue where my bullet is going to strike at a given range

Second is sufficient down range energy to do the job. Or, the distance down range the projectile runs out of humane puff

For the most part the chrono could be dispensed with. Most of my shooting is under 200m. If I can print paper with a consistent group at 100m the rest is somewhat academic

However, I am also interested in being able to make an effective killing shot beyond 200m. If I can establish a reasonably approximate fps then of course I can get an idea of bullet drop and bullet energy at different distances.

But, its still not a huge deal to me. If I'm uncertain at 350m I'll get closer.

I have a place I can set gongs up out to 500m. With a large piece of cardboard behind. That exercise is arguably more important than accurate chronographing.

Nevertheless I thought it a useful question to explore.
Cheers