and concluded which one is suitable for field use, knowing the accurate average velocity of a particular load allows you to construct a ballistic table of projectile height both above and under the line of sight at any range. This is invaluable for a varmint hunter. All things being equal, your hit rate should improve at long range when knowing these values. If you chronograph loads for load development in a new rifle, they become a handy base reference as bore and throat deterioration occur with in- creasing use. Usually, there is a gradual but perceptible change in both accuracy and velocity. There is not much you can do to prevent these events happening. It is highly likely that anyone who
reloads for only one or two cartridges is better off with several reputable reload- ing manuals rather than a reloading computer program. It’s very much a balance between cost and potential use. If you load for multiple cartridges, wild- cat cartridges, or tend to experiment with loads and/or projectiles, a good computer program is a must. Many programs have capacity for storing cal- culated data for future reference. It can save considerable time and provides a handy reference when required. Changing projectile weights is another “what if” situation that allows you comparison without firing a shot and wasting valuable components. With ballistic calculators it really boils down to what you need to access in relation to a particular type of shooting. A 45/70 pig shooter is not going to be very con- cerned about his trajectory over 50 or so metres. On the other hand, a varmint shooter aiming at a rabbit 450 meters away is well aware of the several factors involved to be successful. A newer but rarely mentioned
item is the pressure testing equipment now available from Recreational Soft- ware Inc. Whilst they make several items, the one of most interest to the author was the pressure testing equip- ment. Via a strain gauge system at- tached to your rifle barrel, it is possible to measure the pressure developed by an individual cartridge at the time of firing. Such a system adds a whole new dimension to the act of reloading. No longer are we working in the dark. For load development I need not tell you of the advantages. When we actually get to the re-
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loading bench there have been some electronic changes there that are of ben- efit. Probably the first item is electronic scales. I find them most useful for repeti- tious tasks such as weighing cartridge cases and projectiles; they are quick and accurate. Scales of this type need to be treated with some care for the best ac- curacy, and it is helpful if they are kept out of drafts on your reloading bench. Usually such scales come with check weights and in some cases they are an “every time” step before weighing powder. In my opinion, it’s worth the effort to ensure accuracy. I have heard of electronic scales “drifting” in terms of dispensed weight, though personally I never have had a programmed load vary more than ¹⁄₁₀ of a grain. In my experience they are fast and accurate.
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Perhaps nothing more than an
extension of the basic scales are the various powder dispensers now on the market. Basically a powder scale with the added addition of a hopper and a small computer program, the dispens- ers allow storage of multiple loads. It is possible to program various loads via a key pad with the appropriate data, and such information may be accessed with a corresponding number for a particular load. This allows powder to be dispensed quite rapidly and accu- rately, particularly when loading large numbers of cartridges. Personally, I check every tenth load on an older beam balance.
Electronic calipers are another useful addition to the reloading bench. They are reasonably priced and ac-
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www.varminthunter.org Page 15
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In .17 Cal. to 50 BMG, and diameters from .650" to 1.50". Installed prices start at $275 for stainless or blued. Dealer pricing is also available for Vais Arms, Inc. installed brakes, or for brakes only (to be installed by other qualified gunsmiths).
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