Chronograph

[Fjold]

I'm old school in that I won't reload without a chronograph. Nothing tells you quicker than a chronograph if your load development is going correctly or if you've screwed something up. If the velocity doesn't make sense for the load, stop shooting and find out what you're doing wrong.

I have been using Pact chronographs for over 40 years but I had decided that I wanted to step up to the Garmin Xero ($540). Now Athlon has just announced that they will be coming out with the same type of chrono in April for $349. So, I'm going to wait until the Athlon comes out and see how the reviews are on it before making my decision.

As wonderful as the new technology is, it changes so fast that it's hard to keep up.

[sghart]

I agree. I am also waiting patiently.

[Grendel Guy]

It's like PCs, they're obsolete the moment you buy one.

[Sandspider500]

Very cool. I have a Garmin already, this one looks exactly like it. The features are slightly different. I do like the up down arrows on the side, sometimes I get confused with the Garmin because they're on the top. I figger they'll be hard to get a hold of at that price. I want one .

[rsrocket1]

For over a decade and a half, I used a Chrony Beta Master and did very well with it with rifle, pistol, shotgun and muzzleloading rounds and amazingly never shot it. When I had the means, I upgraded to a LabRadar. It has it's own quirks, most of which I've overcome. Today, I would rather recommend the Garmin. While the Garmin does not measure downrange velocities which the LabRadar does, it appears to be much less finicky about being able to pick up rifle shots. I have no problem with the LabRadar catching handgun shots, but rifle shots are much more sensitive to aiming the unit at the target. The only real advantage for the LabRadar is being able to calculate BC's by measuring downrange velocities.

As for justification, it was a big leap going from a $100 Shooting Chrony to a $550 LabRadar (price at the time I bought it). I rationalized that it was the price of another handgun but well worth it when I can now set it up and align it without waiting for a range ceasefire to go in front of the firing line.

[NapalmCheese]

The Garmin price tag has been keeping me from buying it for the last few months. If the Athlon unit compares well I'll be in.

I've been doing load dev without a chrono for a while (my BIL shot my Chrony which I never found to be all that reliable anyway a few months back) and I feel lost.

The only thing I have going for me is my .45-70 has a 24 inch barrel, so at least the data should be sort of closeish, kinda.

I'll never own another shoot through chronograph, I need to be able to shoot at public ranges (sometimes it's all I can get) and having to fiddle with a shoot through just isn't real efficient.

[ar15robert]

Did most of chrono work 24-25 years ago and haven’t done much since except for my 10mm a few years ago.

mines an older type chrono but saw a garmin at range last time was a nice deal for sure especially if you are new to reloading and need data.

[NapalmCheese]

Did most of chrono work 24-25 years ago and haven’t done much since except for my 10mm a few years ago.

mines an older type chrono but saw a garmin at range last time was a nice deal for sure especially if you are new to reloading and need data.

Do you not do any more load dev? New powders? New bullets? Nothing?

I have a few things where I've stopped doing dev, but I like new (and particularly new and funky) cartridges so am often loading something new to me.

[ar15robert]

Do you not do any more load dev? New powders? New bullets? Nothing?

I have a few things where I've stopped doing dev, but I like new (and particularly new and funky) cartridges so am often loading something new to me.

Not really i still use the same rifle powders and bullets for my .223 back then i found a great load for the 69smk was about 2900fps out of my a2 was accurate and tight grouping

i changed some for my 45 but havent done any testing on that in years as long as i hit my targets.

My 300wm i kind of have an idea where fps is and it is an accurate load.I may get the chrono to test fps so i can play with scope settings etc

The 10mm was probably the last round i really worked on.I wanted 1300fps but also had to measure brass expansion and so on.Found me a hot plinking load and a full power woods load.

[TimRB]

Do you not do any more load dev? New powders? New bullets? Nothing?

That's me. I have the gear to load several cartridges, but these days I pretty much load only one. Since I have a solid load for that, I don't bother to experiment. I will grant, though, that if you like to tinker and test, handloading is the cat's meow.

Tim

[Fjold]

I'm always doing load development. Since I have my own land to shoot on now, if I find a gun or a cartridge that interests me, off I go.

This year I shot my buck with my Ruger No. 1 RSI chambered in 7x57 with a new load using the 160 grain Accubond for maximum stopping power for hunting in the woods. I also developed a deer loads for Wifezilla's new 6mm ARC using the 85 grain Partition and a coyote load for my 6mm ARC using the 70 grain Nosler Varmagedden.

I also have a new 350 Legend with an assortment of 150 to 170 grain bullets that I have to test. I also put in for antelope in Wyoming this fall and so it's going to be the 6.5x284 with 120 or 140 grain bullets or the other Ruger No. 1 in 270 Win with the 110 grain TTSX.

[Maltese Falcon]

Pick one up for $315 pre-order...

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.

[NapalmCheese]

I'm always doing load development. Since I have my own land to shoot on now, if I find a gun or a cartridge that interests me, off I go.

That's pretty much it for me too, except I don't have enough property to shoot on.

But if I find something I like, I'll get it, because I can roll my own.

The flavor of the month is BPCR with .38-55 and .45-70. I don't strictly need a chrono with that, but I wouldn't mind at all, SDs are SDs, black powder or not.

[jimmykan]

I've have had two Chrony's, a Caldwell, a Magnetospeed Sporter, a LabRadar, and now a Garmin Xero C1.

The Garmin is by far the easiest to use. I hope the Athlon clone works out for you guys. 🤞

[newbie1234]

Pick one up for $315 pre-order...

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Shipping cost ?
Tax ?