They do not seem to be as far off as they used to be. I think now that more people have chronographs, that they don't inflate it as much. I have chronographed quite a bit of Federal ammo and found them pretty close. What suprises me is how low some of the velocities are on ammo that does not claim any velocity on paper. I have tested 250-3000 ammo from WW. Their 100 grain silvertips average 2600 fps. That was picking a few from several different boxes. My first chronograph used the old paper screens. Good machine but those screens were a little spendy plus I always had to remember to order new ones.