Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Chrono, Yes or No

I agree with some of what you say. Nothing is 100%.

I did not talk about blind adherence to load data, but I did talk about blind adherence to what is indicated on the chrono display. Specifically, adding powder and watching velocities, thinking that the chrono is all you need to work up a safe load. It is only one of a number of tools and information required.

There have been reloading manuals that have published bad information, but that is the exception, not the norm. More people blow up rifles and suffer injuries because of improper reloading techniques or human error. Bad reloading data published in a powder or bullet company manual is rare.

I do not believe that anyone suggested that load manuals are the final word (gospel), but they are reliable. They test and publish instructions and warnings about working up loads properly. They take their work seriously. If you are unsure of what you are doing, they tell you to get help. No manual or company has ever suggested that their data is inviolate. I believe that reloaders are more likely to err than the techs that test loads.

WRT data from test rifles/universal test barrels, they do not produce the same velocity that your barrel produces, but the loads are safe. And modern test practices include pressure testing.

Most reloaders know that their velocity results will be different from published figures, but there is a caveat here. I know individuals who continued to add powder because their indicated chrono velocities were less than what was published in magazines or manuals. In these cases, relying on chrono figures was dangerous.

So, I will maintain that one does not have to use a chrono. It is a tool reloaders can use in combination with adequate training, a good manual, proper technique and a big dose of common sense.