Recommendations for Chronograph

[sonofthebeach]

A friend and I were discussing the velocities of the various reloaded and factory ammo that we were shooting from our handguns. We decided that a good, solid, no-frills chrono might be a good investment to find out what velocities the ammo we're shooting in our guns really attains.

We'll be using the chrono outdoors in a casual non-range setting, and are looking for any recommendations you all might have.

Thanks.

 

[matsu]

Ohler 35p they are going to make new small run

 

[dla]

Unless things have changed, Chrony makes the best budget-minded chronograph. I advise you get the version with the remote display. I have an Alpha Master that has served me well for a bunch of years.

 

[cjw3]

I have one of the Chrony's with the remote display (which saves a lot of walking). It is easy to use and has been very reliable.

 

[4inch357]

I have a Chrony w/o the remote display - like it just fine. The item I find useful is the remote cable, you can buy one or make one.

 

[buckspen]

Chronograph

I have a PACT Model 1 chronograph that I got back in the 1990's. I still use it from time to time and it works just fine. I would not hesitate to buy the current version, if I needed one. In fact, I used mine just a couple of weeks ago to measure some .22 Jet loads. The current comparable model is the Model 1 XP and it sells for about $230 retail. You can probably get a better price than that wholesale, but I haven't checked around.
Our local club once owned an Oehler (don't remember the model) and I used that one extensively. It was an excellent tool and I would be happy to have another if I was going to do a lot of work. I haven't compared prices, but expect that the Oehler would be more money than the PACT.
I did once own a Chrony, and I would not buy another one. I had lots of problems with mine and finally gave it away in disgust.
If I was buying one today, I would definitely get one that provides a printout of every shot fired. A link to a laptop computer would also be nice but not essential.
One of the nicest features about the PACT Model 1 that I own is that it came with its own four foot long skyscreen rail that mounts to a camera tripod. The Oehler that our club owned came without a rail and I had to cobble one up for it.
I once put a bullet through one of the Oehler skyscreens. That really screws up your readings! Fontunately, the replacement skyscreen wasn't very expensive.
A chronograph can be a really fun tool to work with.
Good luck!
- Buckspen

 

[ColColt]

Ohler 35p they are going to make new small run

I was glad to read this. I'm going to get one of these.

Oehler Research, Inc.--Model 35 Proof Chronograph

 

[firearmsunlimited]

+1 for the Oehler 35P. We have tested all makes in the past and none can equal this one for hobbyist shooter use. The Oehler company has more experience in the chronograph R&D field than all the others put together. They provide several levels of chronograph equipment including units for long range military artillery testing.

 

[AzShooter]

Chrony Alpha Model works great for me. Readout on the bench, review of up to 30 shots, tells Average, High, Low, Standard Deviation and Extreme Spread.

 

[CGM]

Chrony is the way to go.

 

[Acorn1754]

I bought a Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph and it's served me really well. It has 9 strings of 99 shots and I intend to buy the link so I can directly plug it into my computer and be able to download and save the data. Also I will be able to control the Chrono with my laptop while I'm at the range, which is invaluable since one has to wait for cease fire to be called before changing targets, etc.

 

[Harrison]

Budget and most accurate do not always go together. Get a Ohler 35.

 

[Lowpower]

I have one of the original (red box) Chrony's I got at our club swap meet for $15. No remote but works just fine for pistols and rifles.

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
I bought a Chrony for the same reason you are taliking about.. Just to check and know for sure what that load is really doing out of YOUR firearm.
Bought my Chrony near 15 years ago. I use my little Tasco binoculars to read the screen. I set it up maybe once a trip up there on an old camara tripod I got at a yard sale. My rig is not wind proof but I take that into account.
But for the little use I need it that old Chrony does all I need and did not cost as much as the gun I am measuring the velocity with.
Mike in Peru

 

[alwslate]

My Alpha Chrony is useless for subsonic handgun loads. The screens
are triggered by the muzzle blast, acknowledged by the company, and
so rendered useless for checking the velocity and consistancy of my
plinking loads.

 

[dla]

My Alpha Chrony is useless for subsonic handgun loads. The screens
are triggered by the muzzle blast, acknowledged by the company, and
so rendered useless for checking the velocity and consistancy of my
plinking loads.

Move back.

 

[cjw3]

Move back.

+1. I set the screens out at about 10 feet and have always gotten consistent results at all velocities. Some things that generate significant muzzle blast may require the screens to be set a little farther out.

I once set mine up (without thinking) at my usual handgun distance and tried a shot with my M95 Steyr 8x56R carbine (19" barrel). At the shot the skyscreens and rods flew different directions and I was sure I must have hit them. Nope, just too much blast too close...moved it back another 5 feet or so and everything went fine as usual.

 

[sonofthebeach]

Thank you all for your recommendations and experiences.

Since we will be using this chrono for factory and handloaded ammo in .38spl, .380, 9mm, .357, .40S&W, .45ACP (and AR), and we basically want to know how fast the bullets are flying at relatively short distances (10-15ft) from the muzzle, we don't need all of the features (remote readouts, electronic record-keeping, etc.) that some of the units have.

We just want to know basic velocity information, without making the process too complicated...I need to know if the published reloading data I'm using really does get that .45 200gr LSWC moving near the velocities listed in my gun, and whether the .38+p Gold Dot SB stuff I pay $1.35/round for really does push that 135gr bullet out of my 642 at a decent velocity, or should I just be getting some of the "FBI" load ammo (158gr LSWCHP)?

We won't be using the chrono at public ranges...but rather "out back" of the house, and so waiting for a range cease-fire for target maintenance (and remote chronograph reading) won't be a problem.

I guess I really don't understand how a chronograph works...how the color of the bullet, trees swinging in the wind, cloudy weather, phases of the moon, etc. affects the thing. I thought that it worked with some electronic/magnetic fields being interrupted by the flight of a bullet through two or more sensors. (I guess I need to learn more about how these things work).

Thanks again for your help.

 

[7P's]

If you have $600.00 you can spare for a great chronograph get the Oehler 35P (you'll never regret spending the money) – after this run there probably won't be anymore. My Oehler 33 has served me well for 35 years and still going strong – I ordered a 35P for my grandkids to use for the rest of their lives, as it will probably last that long and then some.
As for the false shock wave readings – just put up a baffle half way between the end of your barrel and the 1st skyscreen. Just cut a piece of plywood in half and saw a slot in it from the top to midpoint – 2 to 4 inch slot will be fine.

 

[sonofthebeach]

The Oehler Chronographs must really be something special. Unfortunately, even by splitting the cost between my shooting buddy and myself, we're trying to keep the cost down to less than $150.

And so that's what's driving our search for the best value for money spent...no frills, but as user-friendly and accurate as possible for the small money we have to spend.

By what some posters here have said, I know there are shooters that have used relatively inexpensive chronographs, and that are pretty much happy with the products...some have owned these for a number of years.

Passing on the chronograph to succeeding generations isn't important to us...just having enough technology and quality to help us identify which ammo works best in our handguns today is our main objective.

Thanks again.