Good evening Gentlemen. I am in the process of putting together some facts relating to the use of BP rifles (and perhaps pistols) at our outdoor 50m range. Advice from the NGB is that provided the range MV and ME maxima are not exceeded then there should be no reason to prevent the use of BP firearms (and yes, I'm aware that pistols are treated differently to rifles due to the significantly-increased cone of fire criteria).

My question thus relates to the measurement of MV from a BP firearm. Can they be shot over a chrono without showering it in soot, or are the readings which may be obtained insufficiently accurate/repeatable? Do you have books/loading tables which give a reliable indication of MV for certain types and quantities of powder and weight of shot?

Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks.