Finding Accurate Velocity?

legacy

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So, I'm trying to get an accurate velocity reading for my new rifle set up. I personally do not own a chronograph but my brother-in-law does and he would let me use it anytime. As I was researching proper and accurate chrony use, it seems to me that there are many different variables that come into play when trying to getting an accurate velocity reading. So my question is 1) Is there any gunsmith/range/etc... in the Salt Lake area that provides any type of service of finding velocity? And 2) Am I making this a bigger deal than it is and should I just head out to the desert and do it myself?
It seems like last time I attempted to get a velocity reading I had a hard time getting a consistent reading. But back then I also didn't know how much lighting and other factors could play into that.
 
If you don't have consistent ammo you won't get consistent readings , regardless of the conditions you set up the chronograph in .
 
Since I don't know how well your bro's-in-law chronograph works, I cannot tell you how big of a deal you're making out of it or not.

Accurate velocity readings are important under certain circumstanced (like CDS ordering etc) otherwise, many a great and accurate rifle has been discounted as poor because of the velocity reading when it really matters little.

I hunted for decades and decades before I had a chronograph and killed everything just fine because I shot to see where I hit rather than just "run the program". I wouldn't be without one now however.

What are you doing or trying to accomplish?

Zeke
 
Great advice given above!
An accurate velocity reading has many factors such as consistent ammo, lighting, quality chronograph and more.
Even with a chronograph it's best to shoot on paper at longer ranges and confirm your actual data.
Are you trying to setup a ballistic dial or chart? What is your main purpose for your velocity readings?
 
when sitting up the crony, be sure it is 10 feet or slightly more distance from the rifle muzzle. Otherwise you will get false readings from the rifle muzzle blast.

RELH
 
Mainly I'm just trying to establish a base for a ballistics chart. I would like to be able to punch paper out to 800+ and hunt big game out to 500+/- yards. Also, I don't hand load so I know that's somewhat of a constraint. I know it all boils down to a lot of practice on the range to verify, which will happen, but I'm just trying to get as much accurate data as possible. I'm not a diehard shooter, but I like the idea of establishing longer downrange accuracy and I'd like to become more familiar with some longer range shooting.
For fun, here's my new setup:
Hornady Superformance 180 gr InterBonds.
Remington 700 Sendero SF II in a .300 Win Mag.
Nightforce SHV 5-20X56
 
Factory ammo is gonna be your limiting factor. How does the superformance group? Have you tried any other ammo? Nosler custom ammo is usually pretty good.
I'd say go shoot over your chronograph and see what the average velocity, SD- standard deviation, and ES- extreme spread are with your factory ammo. Build a chart and shoot at distance. See how it groups and how the chart drops line up compared to actual shooting.
 
I've had really good luck with the Superformance ammo, but I've never shot it out of this new gun. So we will see how it goes. I will certainly look at other ammo if needs be. I've wanted to try the Nosler Custom stuff and I might.
 
Do-able but it's a lofty goal to expect that you can achieve your desired results with what you're working with. I'm just sayin' it the way I see it. 500-800 yards is a long long ways and don't let anyone tell you differently.

To hunt with confidence out to 500+ yards, your rifle/scope/load must be very capable and then you must become a shooter. There's nothing casual about achieving proficiency in long range shooting.

Zeke
 
500 yards is definitely a long long ways! The furthest I've ever killed an animal was 387 and that was a long ways. Again, I think my biggest limitation will be ammo, but I guess I can only work with what I have and see what it will give me.
 
Again, I think
>my biggest limitation will be
>ammo, but I guess I
>can only work with what
>I have and see what
>it will give me.

We're all in the same boat but just in different seats! Learning to recognize what we don't know, then taking steps to remedy that facet of our shooting and equipment is what it's all about.

Get into it and you'll see what I mean. In a year you'll evolve into a different place than you find yourself now.

Zeke
 
I believe if you reload you need a good Chrono.
If you are seriously wanting to use ballistic software you must have a Chrono.
The base model chronographs out there will give trouble from time to time depending on conditions.
I use what's sometimes called a coffin with my chronograph. It helps give more dependable readings.
The new magnetic Chronos are more reliable, but more expensive. They work great on all guns though, even braked rifles.
A $200 or less chrony set up is all most need.
 

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