Do you chronograph your loads?

I don't at the moment. But it is another thing on my list to buy.

So many toys, so little money!!! 

Chronographing your load is a very useful tool. Especially when we only have a 100 yard distance to test loads. Assuming rifle loads.
Pistol loads I don't.

Seen em do it on Myth Busters...

No, but I'd really like to.

I do look at ballistics and load data and can guestimate my velocities based on comparing bullet drop as long as I don't change the sights. Its not specific but I can say "Yep, that load worked about like I expected it to." A chrono would be a much better way to do it if I wanted to fine tune things even more...

But I can't justify either the expense or the effort at the moment. What matters to me the most is that the load is in the ballpark of the energy and trajectory that I'm going for AND that it hits darned close to where I aim it. Everything hinges around accuracy so knowing the exact velocity isn't that important. Once I hit that sweet spot with a particular load... I'm not going to change it just because it +/- 100 fps from some ideal goal.

I have a feeling I'd change my mind if
a) I had a chrono.
b) I had a longer range rifle and
c) a place to shoot it.

Then I'd want to know ~exactly what my velocity is so I can calculate actual ballistics for my load and rifle.

Using the Sierra ballistics program and by shooting the same load at 25, 50 and 75 yards I can sort of work backwards to find a likely figure for a load's ballistics. Works well enough for me for now.

Not at this time, but will be buying one before the end of the year.

No, but I'd really like to.

+1.

@GZire - I'd be willing to pay you a fee to test my loads with your chrony when you get it = maybe offset your cost and get it sooner.  I'll meet you at the range and of course I will pay for any damage I may cause to the chrony.  LOL.

Please let me know as I would really like to know where my loads are, but cannot really justify purchasing one (kinda like a trigger pull gauge).

Whenever the next HDF range day is (hopefully a Sunday) I'll be happy to bring mine for yall to shoot through. 
But.......
you shoot it, you bought it   

....but cannot really justify purchasing one (kinda like a trigger pull gauge).

I have a trigger pull gauge. Don't use it much but I am making a project of modding my Glock 17 Gen2. And of course some trigger work is in order. So I decided to bite the bullet (not literally LOL!!!) and buy one. So far I got it down from ~7lbs to ~4lbs 10oz.

I also intend to replace the trigger in my Remmy for an adjustable target type trigger. Plus I want to try adjusting the trigger on my Anschutz. You really don't know where your trigger pull is until you test it.

Whenever the next HDF range day is (hopefully a Sunday) I'll be happy to bring mine for yall to shoot through. 
But.......
you shoot it, you bought it   

Let me know when you bring it. I would love to see what some of my loads are doing. Thanks for the offer!!!

I am planning to be at the rifle range this Sunday morning if anyone is interested.

Whenever the next HDF range day is (hopefully a Sunday) I'll be happy to bring mine for yall to shoot through. 
But.......
you shoot it, you bought it   

Awesome!  Mahalo for your kokua! 

Found an interesting alternative to the typical optical chronograph.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3787641.0

http://www.magnetospeed.com/

Looks very promising.  Lighting really messes with the readings on my cheapo chrony, and half the time I don't really trust the readings. This might be a less costly alternative to those expensive units that do not depend on lighting condition. 

The only drawback, to me, is mounting it to the barrel.  Not sure how that might effect bullet impact/ load tune/ group size.  However, from the reviews it looks like the effect is minimal. I'll look into this more...

Anyone else seen these?

Found an interesting alternative to the typical optical chronograph.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3787641.0

http://www.magnetospeed.com/

Looks very promising.  Lighting really messes with the readings on my cheapo chrony, and half the time I don't really trust the readings. This might be a less costly alternative to those expensive units that do not depend on lighting condition. 

The only drawback, to me, is mounting it to the barrel.  Not sure how that might effect bullet impact/ load tune/ group size.  However, from the reviews it looks like the effect is minimal. I'll look into this more...

Anyone else seen these?

Cool!  Thanks Heavies! 

Only drawback seems to be that it is unable to be used with semi-automatic handguns.

Cool!  Thanks Heavies! 

Only drawback seems to be that it is unable to be used with semi-automatic handguns.

Never seen nor heard of these. I'm gonna check into it a little more!!! Thanks Heavies!!!!   

OK, I have one on backorder.  I'll do a review when the production run is ready and I get it in the mail.

OK, I have one on backorder.  I'll do a review when the production run is ready and I get it in the mail.

Yee Ha!!!! 

I am seriously tempted to get one as well . . .

How do you fnd all these toys, er, essential equipment?

Haha. Just perusing the Internet from time to time. Trying to stay up to date with the new 'essential equipment' can be daunting, especially now that shooting sports have grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years. 

Yes... Have been doing it for 23 years now...  Essential if you do IPSC type competition with minimum power requirements. It is interesting to see how much you lose when going to short barrels. If competing in larger combat-style pistol matches where prizes are at stake, you may need to prove your load from your gun. Sometimes a short barrel will drop you below minimum. That could mean disqualification or reduction on points. On other levels, seeing your velocity variations is useful for indicating potentially accurate (or inaccurate) load recipes. Velocity readings are also useful for developing low cost practice ammo to simulate your very costly home defense ammunition. In that case you could chrono a few rounds of your factory-made home defense load, then find a similar bullet/powder recipe that gives the same velocity as the real thing. Then you can afford to practice with something that is very similar in recoil and point of impact.