Chrony Alpha Master, Should I buy it?

[Rule3]

Midway has it on sale and I was buying a few other items. It seems to have good reviews and for the price can I go wrong? I guess I can't be a "real" reloader without a chronograph?

So do I just get a cheapo camera tripod to put it on? I only shoot outdoors.

Ya, Nay?

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewp...productnumber=306796

 

[RidgwayCO]

That 's a pretty good price for a very usable chronograph. You'll like having the remote readout on the bench. And yes, an inexpensive camera tripod works fine with mine.

You can be a "real" reloader without a chronograph, but a chrono certainly does add to your knowledge, especially about what's happening with YOUR guns.

 

[Skip Sackett]

You will be a reloader without a chronograph, you just can't be a handloader without one!

Garage sales are the best place to pick up tripods. That way you won't feel so bad if you shoot it!

Same thing goes with the remote head. At least it won't get damaged being on the bench.

I have NEVER shot mine although, mine has been shot! (Son #2) He did the right thing though and went out and bought one immediately.

 

[pinkymingeo]

If you shoot it? Actually, I've only shot my tripod once, and diffusers about 20 times. Still waiting for the center of mass hit.

 

[Rule3]

Ouch!. If it gets shot I'll have to find a way to blame my wife and she wouldn't even be there!

Guess I'll press the button and order one.

 

[H Richard]

That's an excellent deal. I have the Beta Chrony, and find it indispensable in working up loads. It is my second one, I just "slightly" nicked my first one with a 240 gr JHP from a 10" TC 44 mag. Didn't work so well after that.

 

[Amici]

I got a rebuilt Chrony Alpha (no remote) and it works just fine for me. When you HAVE to make a certain power factor, or NOT blow up the gun developing "those" loads, you have to have a chrony.

I find a camera tripod is perfect - Chronys have a threaded hole in the base for just that reason.

 

[John R]

I have the Beta Master one, it works very well.
Can't remember what the difference is in them, except mine is blue instead of red.

 

[Rule3]

I ordered one and I lucked out and found a really nice tripod at the pawn shop!

 

[fredj338]

It's better than no chronograph. The screens are small do not measure well under all lighting conditions & you are shooting at the guts if the machine. I would pony up a bit more money & get a CED, but the Chrony series do work, most of the time. A chronograph is a great tool. It's the diff. between guessing & knowing what you are shooting.

 

[Hook686]

You might be right fred. However I think OCD1 made a good choice. The Master of the Shooting Chrony series is the one with the remote display. Like was said by someone, you really cannot shoot that part of the chronograph, as it is on your bench.

I bought a Alpha Master and shot it a few months later. Shooting Chrony replaced everything except the display unit for $35 shipped. I'm still using it a few years later.

However, I mostly use the F-1 Master, as it was $25 cheaper when midwayusa.com put them on sale. Essentially the Alpha Master without the statistics (it displays one bullet speed).

The F-1 was going to be a backup should I shoot the Alpha Master unit again. I like it better and use it most of the time.

I think the Shooting Chrony units are fine chronographs and I have no problem reading the display.

 

[fredj338]

My issue w/ the Chrony series is the screens are small & of such mediocre quality. You have to shoot within 3"-4" to get 95% readings & that is one reason guys are always shooting their Chrony's. My buddy has a Master & we shoot it side by side w/ my Oehler. My Oehler records 99.9% of my shots, his Chrony about 55%. That's pretty frustrating especially if you had to drive 3hrs to shoot. If you have the money, buy better.