chronographs

[hemiguy55]

So what kind of chronographs do you guys use? What ones do you get the biggest bang for your buck from? Anyone's to stay away from? Any certain models have useful features? How much will a decent one cost?

[bitethebullet]

Stay far away from the RCBS bullet model. They are crap. I now use a Chrony F-1 Master. Good, accurate chronograph. I really like the portable display. I got it for $100 shipped from Midway

[Caddis]

Chrony Master F-1 here too for about $100. The 10' wired remote display is a must have. It's my first Chrono and it added a new level of information and fun to my reloading. I already shot it with a 45 (long story) and luckily just hit the frame and not the sensors and it still works fine. Haven't found anything I don't like about it.

[mroels]

I use a magnetospeed. I like that set up is minimal but it does affect grouping so you can't really check velocity while checking groups. It kind of becomes a two step deal.

Eta: works for rifles only

[C.G.]

CED ME2 works for me.

[Divernhunter]

I have had an Oehler for years and am very happy with it. It works when others will not due to sun etc.

[GeoffLinder]

Pact MKIV XP Timer/Chronograph system is what I like, you get a shot timer and a chronograph together AND the electronics are separate from the sky screens and sit at the bench for a direct in your face readout as you shoot. Nothing expensive downrange to get damaged this way.

http://pact.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=68

[stilly]

I personally do not care for the chrony brand, but the last time I owned one was back when I was into paintball and it was $89 for the RED one. It always gave erratic readings and every now and then was accurate.

I have a competition electronics pro digital. It has irritated me several times in that I have lost faith in it and now even though it SEEMS to behave properly, I am always wondering if it is correct or not. It once showed my 44 mag loads as hitting 1700 fps and EACH shot increased by at least 15 FPS until I was well over 2100 FPS for shooting lilgun or something else. There was no way that was possible, but it did it. Now everytime I set it up, I just wanna shoot it in the face so I have an excuse to go buy a CED M2 or PACT... When I can afford a second Deagle, I WILL shoot it in the face. with a pink bullet no doubt, and then I will whip out my new chrono and continue filming.

The features of the pro digital chrono are nice though, you can buy a remote that plugs into the side and keep it at your station if you are on a firing line and can not afford to keep going out to change modes or reset it, then it will store 99 shots for 9 strings I believe and you can review them later on. I think it might have the ability to output to your computer as well, but I could be wrong.

I think I want a CED M2 next though because it has an infrared light setup or something that allows you to take it to an indoor range and use it there while still being portable.

[armyguy209]

I love my magnetospeedv2. It is as accurate as an Oehler, simple to setup right at the bench no tripods or anything to lug around or setup downrange, and works in any conditions. The only downfall is that it is for rifle only. They are supposed to be coming out with something for pistol but who knows when.

[hemiguy55]

Sounds like certain models do rifle and pistol while others dont? Or will a chronograph work for any cartridge?
What does a chronograph tell you, besides fps? Are all they used for is reading fps?

[flyer898]

I have had an Oehler model 33 since the early 80s. It still does a great job. A few years ago I bought their 36P. It is even better.

[Flyin Brian]

Sounds like certain models do rifle and pistol while others dont? Or will a chronograph work for any cartridge?
What does a chronograph tell you, besides fps? Are all they used for is reading fps?

The reason some brands are for rifle only is because they mount to the last few inches of barrel, so it wouldn't really work on a semi-auto or short barreled pistol.

Chronographs read FPS, but the real value comes in when you shoot a string of shots and then study the variance away from the average, which is called Standard Deviation.
When working up a load, you're looking for the load with the most consistent velocity, and you will see a pattern as you move through the range of charge weight. I have shot some loads that have a wide range of velocities and then as you go up in charge and then you suddenly get 10 shots within 25 fps of each other... then if you keep going you will see another wave of wider deviation and possibly it will again move into a tight range. If you record how it grouped and look carefully for pressure signs, you can make an educated decision on where you want to focus more research or just say "here's my load" and be done with it.

[krwada]

I own a Shooting Chrony Gamma. This thing works OK. I added some infrared illuminators to the sky screen. Adding the illuminators helped a lot!

[usmcspud]

Bought a Millenium when the first came out. A lot of wasted rnds downrange even after sending it back for a new one.
Bought a Oehler 35P. Works all the time no matter the conditions.

[hemiguy55]

This may be a stupid question... but do you have to shoot through those triangle shaped loops?