Ladder testing at 1k- Detailed article and video

[AJ Peacock]

Originally Posted by phorwath

I know enough from my experiences to confirm that good chrono nodes in themselves don't guarantee good results on paper. And the POIs are what really matters, when all is said and done. In other words, one could establish a good long range load without a chronograph, but one could not rely on chronograph data alone without the POIs on down range targets to confirm a good load. The chrono data might be helpful, but that's the most it can be - an aid to efficiently ID'ing loads with the potential to deliver quality down-range POIs.

For the most part I agree, however only when you are talking about a single distance. there is no way to have 2 bullets follow the same trajectory from start to finish unless the velocities are nearly the same. Barrel harmonics and differing velocities can cause 2 different bullets to impact the same at some given distance, but it would only be where their trajectories intersected.

AJ

[phorwath]

Clarifying, my primary point is low ES and SD don't ensure 1/2 moa or better accuracy out of any rifle. If the gun prints 1 1/2 moa, the low ES and SD may help to ensure the down-range groups are circular rather than strung out vertically at long range, but you may as well be shooting buckshot as a rifle.

So the chrono can assist in ID'ing loads with potential for good long range accuracy and minimum vertical stringing, and it can assist in establishing MVs and down-range velocities for purposes of fine tuning ballistic software programs to get good predicted drops and downrange velocity matches, but the proof in the quality of the load is the POIs on down-range targets. And this can be done without any chronograph at all. Since down-range groups that have minimal vertical stringing have by necessity, also identified a load with low ES and SD. I agree with what I believe is being inferred; low ES and SD are required to prevent excessive down-range vertical stringing.

But I've read a number of accounts where shooters fine-tune their reloads simply by down-range target results. It may take them an extra 20 rounds of ammo, but by the time they're getting 1/2 moa at 1000 yds, that load will surely have low ES and SD.

So to go so far as to say I follow the chrono rather than the POIs is overstating the value of the chrongraph data in the bigger picture. If one were to say I believe and follow the POIs rather than the chrono data, then there's no arguing the merits of that position.

Bottom line, chrono data can help lead to more efficient load development, as well as the fine tuning and tweaking of ballistics software. Which is a big deal in itself. I use two of them set up in series whenever I can. But they aren't the final confirmation of anything other than bullet velocity.