Considering A Chronograph

Dennis The B

Dennis The B

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I've been researching chronographs for the last several months. The models available are legion, and buyer reviews, even for the better models go from one, to five stars. While not a benchrest shooter, I do appreciate a bit more input when reloading.

What say the forum members?

Facts? Fictions? Emotional outbursts?
 
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If you can afford it, get the Oehler 35P. You will never look back or wish you had bought something else. I have owned four different chronographs and the Oehler is the best by far. All the others were finicky. The Oehler never misses a shot unless a shadow is on only part of one of the diffusers. Now that I know that, I watch for it. It is also simple to setup and use.

Mike
 
My first instrument was the basic crony. It opened up a whole new layer of information that I can't believe I did without for all those years.

I still have a crony for quick tests of a new lot of powder or to simply get ballpark figures on velocity.

I also have an Oehler 35 which is tougher to set up than the crony and a tripod, but the extra two minutes spent, well worth it.

The Oehler prints out data to tape to a target or store as needed.

It has a three screen system that compares the readings as 2 separate readings and checks for gross errors. I have only occasionally had a reading thrown out, but I still like that feature. Check THEIR description of that feature...I didn't do it justice.

I can't imagine NOT having a chronograph as a reloader , especially for rifles.

I like printed data that I can tape to the target for future reference too.
 
I haven't shot through the higher end units like Oehler but do use my ProChrono a lot. It has worked perfectly until this recent weekend. Shooting .308 gave readings at time of 106 fps (all five rounds were low like that). Had to shut it off and turn it back on between strings. Not sure what's happening with it. I'll change the battery before the next shoot to see if maybe that's it. This is on my personal shooting range - no others shooting here. Nothing's perfect except maybe Mr. Oehlers stuff :)
 
Frank237 said:
I like printed data that I can tape to the target for future reference too.
Click to expand...

I stick a label with the load data on the back of the tape and save it in an index card file box. It works great.

Mike
 
Buy what you need

I bought the basic Chrony. It doesn't provide reams of comparative statistical data or make cappuccino but it tells me what I need to know and I paid all of $95.00 for it. This was a valuable addition to my reloading and I finally know exactly what my loads are doing or not doing.

Don't forget, you'll also need a camera tripod.
 
My ProChrono gave me slow reading at the indoor range last time. It was clocking my 45 rounds at 560 and the time before the same rounds were in the 900s. Brought it home and fired the Gamo Whisper across it out doors and got a perfect reading. I can also print out info as O bought the USB kit and have the Blurtooth kit on order to remote control it. I have to rool it out from the fireline as the line is always hot at the indoors range I belong to.
 

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I also have the ProChrono and like it a lot. It's my first unit, and have to say it's not as temperamental as I was worried they would be. It works and is capable of a lot more than what I need. I just jot down the reading on a notepad. I can hook it to the computer but I doubt I'll ever get around to it. Its nice knowing where you're at, and shocked me on a few loads. Its become a important piece of shooting / reloading equipment.
 
Had an original Shooting Chrony in the late '80s and have had a couple beta master Chronys since. They're fine by me - I like having the readout and controls on my bench. I have never felt the need to buy anything more shi-shi . . . and I'm not averse to spending money on reloading gear where I feel it makes sense.
 
federali said:
I bought the basic Chrony. It doesn't provide reams of comparative statistical data or make cappuccino but it tells me what I need to know and I paid all of $95.00 for it. This was a valuable addition to my reloading and I finally know exactly what my loads are doing or not doing.

Don't forget, you'll also need a camera tripod.
Click to expand...

+1 on Federali's response.

The Chrony is also much cheaper to replace when you accidentally shoot it. I'm on my 3rd one in 20+ years.
 
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drummer007 said:
The Chrony is also much cheaper to replace when you accidentally shoot it. I'm on my 3rd one in 20+ years.
Click to expand...

LOL. I said I have owned four different chronos. I guess I should specify that I did not shoot any of mine... although a couple of them might have deserved that. I still own three, but the only one I use now is my Oehler.

Mike
 
I only shoot across mine using a pistol rest and the Prochrono has a 12 inch area to shoot through.
 
Chrongraphs are invaluable....

but can be habit forming. When I first started chronoing, I generated so much data it was ridiculous! I realized I needed a chronograph when the RO at a USPSA match said he could see my 45ACP bullets go down-range. I had used a load from a manual but velocity was only 600 fps.

My first was a simple Chrony which went down-range when hit by .223 hardball. :-) I have bought and used every brand made and have settled on a PACT PC version with built in printer. I also chrono indoors using an infra-red light source. This takes sun, clouds, rain and wind out of the process.

FYI: you can't chrono indoors under fluorescent lights.
 
Scroll to the very bottom of this thread and there is a list of similar posts, The answers you seek are there.:)

If you live anywhere there is Sun forget the Chrony brand (sorry Erich) I tried 2 of them and all your mods. Never worked.

The Competition Electronics has never missed a shot

ProChrono Digital - Competition Electronics

For the OP:

Read the reviews. If you kill it they will replaced it for half price but if you can not shoot through a chronograph at 10 feet then maybe they are not for you.:D

Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph
 
I can't tell you which is best, but can steer you away from the Caldwell Ballistic Chrono; DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!

I bought one last year and it frankly has been a huge disappointment. The first one I received gave errors just sitting there, indoors or outdoors. I called them about it and Caldwell sent me a replacement, which kinda works sometimes when things line up just right. It absolutely hates any sunshine and gives massive errors. Last time I tried using it, the darn thing told me that while trying to chrono some 264 mag rounds I had loaded with Sierra 85 grain HP bullets that one had actually achieved escape velocity of around 35,000 fps! :eek: And of the rest of that box I ran across the chrono, only one round gave a halfway believable number of around 3750 fps. The rest showed up as errors besides the escape velocity round. And it's a shame, because I truly like the app they have to connect it to your smartphone to read and store the chrono information. :(

So, I am in the same boat as you, Dennis. I am looking for a reliable chronograph, because this Caldwell frankly sucks!
 
I bought a ProChrono Digital too. Mine has also worked very reliably. I got it because of positive reviews, but also because it was cheap.

Apparently you can hack them up a fair bit, people have made wireless and wired controllers for it. It has an RCA port for remote control/display and I guess it's fairly straightforward to use that for these efforts. Mine is just "stock" though.

A chronograph is a useful tool, whichever one you get.
 
Magload said:
My ProChrono gave me slow reading at the indoor range last time.
Click to expand...

I had that happen too.
Once I pushed it further away the readings got realistic.
I also installed a Caldwell infrared light kit on it for indoor use.
Seems to work given the florescent lighting at this range.

I do like the ProChrono for the price.
Once set up it's quite reliable.
I also use a Magnetospeed but that's for barrels 6" or longer.

===
Nemo
 
My first Chronograph was an Ohler 33 back 35+years ago.

Over the years I had the Ohler 33, 35, 43 and a pair of the CED Milleniums

Dr Ohler is a GREAT person to deal with. Just before the shot show one year (long ago) I had loaned my Ohler 33 to buddy and told him if he shot a screen he was buying a screen. He joked that he was too good a shot for that to happen. Guess what.....yep he shot a screen. I went to the Ohler booth hoping to get a screen on the spot but they did not have any. Ken told one of the people to send me a SkyScreen III at no charge. When I explained I was still using the older SkyScreen IIs, he told then to send me a complete upgrade set including light diffusers. I was blown away and bought my next two chronographs from him.

Right now I have a Magnetospeed for testing and evaluation.

My Ohler 43 was lost by the airlines and is not replaceable since Ohler does not manufacture them any longer. If they were available and price were no object, the 43 is the way to go. It does a crapload of cool stuff including pressure measurement

For the Rifleman, this Magnetospeed I am using is vary nice. It straps right to the barrel, no skyscreens. Needs no light to work. sets up in minuted with nothing down range. However, it is not for the handgunner.

I do not, have never and will not own a chronograph where the electronics are within striking distance of the bullets path. Remote skyscreens are the way to go. You can carry a spare in your bag (I do now) and if one gets shot you can be back up and running in 10 minutes.

If I were buying my first chronograph today and budget was a concern, I would buy the CED Millenium. The great thing here is that the chronograph speaks the velocity out loud after every shot.

If price were no big deal and quality was, the Ohler 35 would be on my list
 
colt_saa said:
...For the Rifleman, this Magnetospeed I am using is vary nice. It straps right to the barrel, no skyscreens. Needs no light to work. sets up in minuted with nothing down range. However, it is not for the handgunner...

If I were buying my first chronograph today and budget was a concern, I would buy the CED Millenium. The great thing here is that the chronograph speaks the velocity out loud after every shot.
Click to expand...

I have both a Magnetospeed and a CED Millenium. I take the Oehler out every time unless I am measuring shotgun velocities, then the Magnetospeed is more suitable.

I have had sun issues with my CED. I have to tape index cards over the front and rear of the "sensors" to shield them from the sunlight or it will not work properly. That solution still does not fix it if the sun angle is just right. I have never had to do anything like that with the Oehler.

Mike
 
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