Thread: Load Data Conundrums.

Originally Posted by tac a1

A quick question GPM. You're a bit of a reloading guru.

If you reload, do you have to chronograph your hand loads?? or is that just a 'nice to have' part of reloading.

The simpleton in me thinks that if the round is accurate, doesn't show pressure signs then all is ok?? AS LONG as you DONT exceed the max load data.??

K

Greetings @tac a1,
A lot can be said for either option. If you just want to reload cartridges for hunting and stick to the standard cartridges which have plenty of modern pressure tested data then you can probably do without one. This is especially so if you can get a friend to chronograph your favoured load to make sure your velocity is in the Goldilocks zone. The difficulty is relying on pressure signs. Most of these only show up when you have already gone too far and the chronograph is your best measure of pressure. For us handloaders the regard the loading as just as much a pastime as hunting and possibly more as we age then the chronograph is as essential. This is especially so for long range target shooters where trajectory is important.
I am afraid that is a long winded reply to a yes no question but what I suggest is that you find someone local, with a chronograph, that can test the odd load for you. Don't be offended if the prefer to shoot the loads themselves as a decent chronograph is expensive and far from bullet proof. Also get someone with handloading knowledge to run their eye over your loads or make suggestions. I would be happy to help with that. You will decide over time if you need a chronograph but you can definitely do without one.
Hope that helps.
Regards Grandpamac.