is using a chronograph worth it?

[BFit70]

im planning on buying some .30-06 dies and reloading for my deer rifle which will also be my taget rifle until i get enough money to buy a new rem 700. i want to do this right, i want the rounds to be as consistant as i can and the best i can get out of my gun. is it worth it to buy or rent a chronograph? are they easy enough to use? i know nothing about these other then they give you fps.

[Keith4001r]

I've never had a chrono, but plan on buying one. They can be had at Cabela's, Gander Mtn., Bass Pro, etc. for $100.00. They will let you know if your loads are consistant, that I know. A little tighter crimp or bullet seated deeper will speed things up, different powder or bullet weight/ design will give different results. I think (for me) it's worth the investment. YMMV.


Keith
Zeroing for Zombies
PAFOA PROUD!

[rwilson452]

along with the chrono get a good ballistics program. with those two it will give you a real good idea of what the drop will be at any given range. To get the best out of your rifle a chrono can help a great deal. it will tell if those flyers are you or not. Is a chrono absolutely necessary? no, but it helps to get more from your rifle.

[Hawk]

It can get pretty crazy when it comes to reloading. Since you're rifle is a deer rifle primarily for hunting (IMHO) I wouldn't bother with a crono a this point. Now, if you want to do it for fun, then have at it. You can spend countless hours at the reloading bench and on the range trying to reduce your MOA via the recipe of your load, only to find out the rifle itself and it's components are not capable of your goal.

What kind of groups do you get now with factory ammo?

[SteveWag]

Check these out;

http://www.gswagner.com/6.5matchrifl...tchrifle6.html

http://www.gswagner.com/mosin-nagant/loads/loads.html

How would you ever grt the info shown on the graphs without a chronograph?

Steve