Do you Chronograph?

[bigbossman]

There certainly are logistic difficulties with using a chronograph, especially on public ranges and probably not possible in indoor ranges.

You hit on the other side of the coin. Unless you're shooting by yourself or on a private range with a couple of others, setting up the chrono just isn't practical in a lot of cases. I used to use mine up at the USI multipurpose range because it was "members only" and I knew everyone. They didn't mind me taking the time to get it out and adjusted. I used it once or twice up at Livermore - the RSO's were courteous and accommodating, but I gave up because I was obviously holding up the line...... especially after USI and Chabot closed down and sent their hordes over to Livermore.

Now, I belong to a small range and almost always have a shooting lane to myself. Consequently, I'm using the chrono almost all the time - just because I can.

[bergmen]

You hit on the other side of the coin. Unless you're shooting by yourself or on a private range with a couple of others, setting up the chrono just isn't practical in a lot of cases. I used to use mine up at the USI multipurpose range because it was "members only" and I knew everyone. They didn't mind me taking the time to get it out and adjusted. I used it once or twice up at Livermore - the RSO's were courteous and accommodating, but I gave up because I was obviously holding up the line...... especially after USI and Chabot closed down and sent their hordes over to Livermore.

Now, I belong to a small range and almost always have a shooting lane to myself. Consequently, I'm using the chrono almost all the time - just because I can.

This is what our rifle range looks like with my chrono in place during my .45 Schofield experimental tests. I just wait until a cease fire and set up while others are walking out to their 100 yard targets.



Dan

[bigbossman]

This is what our rifle range looks like with my chrono in place during my .45 Schofield experimental tests. I just wait until a cease fire and set up while others are walking out to their 100 yard targets.

Looks good, and you're fortunate relative to your Bay Area brethren. The shooting positions at Livermore (for example) are walled off little covered cubes, with one centrally located path to and from targets. Not nearly as easy to set up the equipment there and similar Bay Area ranges, as opposed to what you and I enjoy.

[MrElectric03]

Absolutely use one. Not every time I shoot but when developing a load I always test and record data. It's not a substantial investment and it really helps to figure out what velocity a bullet likes. If you are a hunter you can figure out how a given bullet expands in ballistic gel and then tune your loads to be sure you get the expansion you want.

[ptmn]

I bought a cheap Shooting Chrony F1 about 15 years ago and still have it. A chronograph is a wonderful eye opening piece of machinery. I say eye opening because once I chrono'd my own loads and factory loads, I found out factory loads aren't as fast as advertised and my loads weren't as fast as the loading manual showed.

My uncle explained to me that the manuals used "Universal" receivers with no gas loss and longer barrels than what I have and the factory loads are shot from the longest barrels they have.

I never woykd have known if I didn't have a chronograph to make me consult my uncle

[capo602002]

With the price of a chrono at ~$100 - Why wouldn't you use it?
I consider it a mandatory piece of equipment for reloading.

[Dirtlaw]

The chronographs I am aware of that solve the "range" problem are the LabRadar and the Magnetospeed. I think they both have their place since the do not require placing anything in the fire zone ... though they clearly cost more than $100.

[pennstater]

I bought a cheap Shooting Chrony F1 about 15 years ago and still have it. A chronograph is a wonderful eye opening piece of machinery. I say eye opening because once I chrono'd my own loads and factory loads, I found out factory loads aren't as fast as advertised and my loads weren't as fast as the loading manual showed.

My uncle explained to me that the manuals used "Universal" receivers with no gas loss and longer barrels than what I have and the factory loads are shot from the longest barrels they have.

I never woykd have known if I didn't have a chronograph to make me consult my uncle

Oh, there's truth right there!^^^. A chrony can humble you pretty fast. Had that happen with one of my .270's. I was convinced it was doing 2950-3000 fps[150gr Hornady spire point. My chrony and a friend's chrony printed 2850! Well, it was accurate as heck, so I forgave myself. They are useful.

MLC

[capo602002]

The ranges I frequent in the SF bay area are really good about allowing shooters to set up their chronographs. Like someone said - you set up as othere are posting or pulling targets. Just remember to turn it on - otherwise you wait another 15minutes.

[Strafer]

I use one, absolutely. Sac Valley Shooting Center in Ione allows you to set them up in your lane on both pistol and rifle side. Just gotta ensure you do some prep so you don't hold up the line during a cease fire.

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[tabascoz28]

Always set it up and have it ready to move for the next cease fire as you have to keep going back and forth for alignment too. Don't be that guy that starts to unfold it when they call the cease fire.....