Shooting Chrony for Reloading Validation
- Thread starter StarshooterX
- Start date
springer99
Member
I've been using an F-1 Chrony for about 15yrs now and it still keeps workiing fine for my purposes. Yes, it does miss a shot now and then; the instruction manual isn't the clearest(I always have to refer back to it to refresh my memory on how to reset, etc), and I do wish I'd gotten one with remote readout. That being said, it does work well and stores all the info. I need for about 6-10shot strings.. Don't think I paid more than $75 back then. Maybe I'll upgrade one of these days, but for the few times I cart it to the range, I doubt it.
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I have found out that my Beta master will also read just fine
if it is in the shade..... without the plastic sun deflectors.
However these days are limited in Nevada most of the time.
My loads if 2" above the unit to 10" high will read if.........
they are close to the center line of the unit. 2" off of the center may result in lost data.
I try for 6" above the unit with my revolvers and pistols......
8" for a scoped rifle and at maximum cord range at 14 feet.
I have orange tape on my two front metal struts at 8", my sweet spot,
to aid in my shooting, to collect my data and have fewer "lost data".
if it is in the shade..... without the plastic sun deflectors.
However these days are limited in Nevada most of the time.
My loads if 2" above the unit to 10" high will read if.........
they are close to the center line of the unit. 2" off of the center may result in lost data.
I try for 6" above the unit with my revolvers and pistols......
8" for a scoped rifle and at maximum cord range at 14 feet.
I have orange tape on my two front metal struts at 8", my sweet spot,
to aid in my shooting, to collect my data and have fewer "lost data".
Similarly, I always have a target down range, lined up with the chrony opening. I don't try to shoot through the screens; I shoot the target.
rsrocket1
Member
I find the chronograph to be invaluable in developing loads. I got my Chrony Beta Master for just over $100 shipped when it was on sale. The remote head is a requirement for me because I usually shoot at a range. The multiple strings is not a requirement because I write down all my shot velocities and transfer them to an excel spreadsheet for future use and it calculates all the same numbers as the Chrony.
As with Ed, mine is usually in the shade, but I still use the skyscreens. My success rate is well over 99% meaning it will miss maybe one shot out of 10 ten shot strings. I used to bring out a rimfire gun to test out the setup before chronographing loads but with the cost of 22LR, I now just bring out known centerfire reloads to make sure the Chrony is working right. There have been some days where I won't test and those are when the sun is low and behind me. I've noticed a lot of "err"'s so I simply don't try if I am going out late in the afternoon.
I've used it with rifle, handgun, shotgun and muzzleloaders. The first thing I did was to make skyscreen rods out of wooden chopsticks. When shot, the easily break and unlike the metal rods, they won't break out the plastic housing.
This is from when the plastic sabot from my 50 cal muzzleloader veered off to the right just past the muzzle. The bullet hit dead center. I simply replaced the stick with another one I carried along as a spare.
As with Ed, mine is usually in the shade, but I still use the skyscreens. My success rate is well over 99% meaning it will miss maybe one shot out of 10 ten shot strings. I used to bring out a rimfire gun to test out the setup before chronographing loads but with the cost of 22LR, I now just bring out known centerfire reloads to make sure the Chrony is working right. There have been some days where I won't test and those are when the sun is low and behind me. I've noticed a lot of "err"'s so I simply don't try if I am going out late in the afternoon.
I've used it with rifle, handgun, shotgun and muzzleloaders. The first thing I did was to make skyscreen rods out of wooden chopsticks. When shot, the easily break and unlike the metal rods, they won't break out the plastic housing.
This is from when the plastic sabot from my 50 cal muzzleloader veered off to the right just past the muzzle. The bullet hit dead center. I simply replaced the stick with another one I carried along as a spare.
DWalt
Member
I have used the simplest Chrony for the past 9-10 years with no problem from the Texas sun or anything else. It works fine for load development work, and I don't need any data recorders, etc. I just write down the velocity readouts in a notebook and calculate means and standard deviations in Microsoft Excel on my laptop. I'd like a more sophisticated chronograph than the Chrony, but I really do not need it.
+1 on wooden dowels if you hit the factory metal units.
They break a LOT easier and can save damage to the unit.
If you don't like set up with 22 ammo.................
I use a BB gun to test my readings. Just use the same type BB every time.
Fun way to learn how to test and change how your unit works, also. One time I went to metric and had a heck of a time but finally got out the direction booklet.
That thing really helps........!!
They break a LOT easier and can save damage to the unit.
If you don't like set up with 22 ammo.................
I use a BB gun to test my readings. Just use the same type BB every time.
Fun way to learn how to test and change how your unit works, also. One time I went to metric and had a heck of a time but finally got out the direction booklet.
That thing really helps........!!
Hook686
US Veteran
After a few years and shooting my Alpha Master I bought the F-1 Master. I found I really did not need all the ten shot statistics ... just the speed of the bullet and one shot and write it down was not a problem. Amazon currently has it for $104 ... saves 20 bucks.
Caldwell Chrono
Just picked up the Caldwell Chrono for $140 at bass pro shops...connects to my smartphone and can record strings of shots, calculates std dev., power factor, muzzle energy and has place to record notes...very happy with it so far.
Just picked up the Caldwell Chrono for $140 at bass pro shops...connects to my smartphone and can record strings of shots, calculates std dev., power factor, muzzle energy and has place to record notes...very happy with it so far.
Andre Coop
Member
Please let us know how that works for you. I've heard a lot more complaints about the 'connecting' to a smartphone than positive comments overall...
Same here.....Wife bought mine for me(35P)...Came in a gun case with 2 stands/3 sky screens/light defusers/cables/roll of printer paper.........Mine is over 20 years old too....Never missed a lick/no error readings..And I really like the proof channel for accuracy..........By once-cry once.....Quality for a lifetime.
MJFlores
Member
I heard enough bad about Chrony that I decided to buy a Pro Chrono. G;ad I did, it's never given me an error and I use it quite a bit when working up new loads
Magload
US Veteran
Really like my Pro I use the IR light Bar indoors and as the line is always hot have a stand I can roll it out to the distance i need with a push pole. I have the Bluetooth option so I can read the results on my cell phone each shot. Plus the option to dump the results to my PC when i get home. I have a Magnetspeed Sporter for my rifles and it doesn't require light. I like it but some time it is hard to get adjusted on the end of my fluted barrel. I am still waiting on the LabRadar.
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old&slow
Member
I have a Chrony that I purchased many many years ago. it's so old it has cardboard for your shoot thru window rather than the wires with sun shade. I think it cost $99.
With mine, the first shot is always wrong. So the first shot is just to get the unit warmed up. A time or two out in the bright sun I've had problems and had to put a additional piece of paper or something over the sun shade to get it working. It works best when it's cloudy or partly cloudy.
It may not be the best , but it has been close enough for me and has worked well for many years. Figured I'll replace it one of these days if I ever shot it.. Hasn't happened yet.
Compared the numbers with my friend's fancy magno chrono that fits on the barrel,, comparable number out of my rifle..
Sorry, can't do another comparison with another unit..
With mine, the first shot is always wrong. So the first shot is just to get the unit warmed up. A time or two out in the bright sun I've had problems and had to put a additional piece of paper or something over the sun shade to get it working. It works best when it's cloudy or partly cloudy.
It may not be the best , but it has been close enough for me and has worked well for many years. Figured I'll replace it one of these days if I ever shot it.. Hasn't happened yet.
Compared the numbers with my friend's fancy magno chrono that fits on the barrel,, comparable number out of my rifle..
Sorry, can't do another comparison with another unit..
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FWIW, I have the Caldwell too, and the smartphone connection works fine for 3 different android devices I have tried. Though with the newest one I had to use the "compatibility mode" feature in the software. It's working for me.
Just another tip for anyone wanting to replace the metal rods for their sky screens. I bought some 48" long 3/32" diameter white fiberglass rods off of Amazon and cut 16" pieces to replace the metal rods. Two of the 48" rods gave me 4 rods to use with 2 spares in case I ever break one. They are lots more stable than taping together chopsticks - though they did cost a little more
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SmokelessPowder
Member
I have the IR bars for my CED and it works great indoors for pistol loads. I only pull it out once or twice a year but it always works.
My Caldwell came with the IR light bars too, but I've never tried them. Do they make a difference in bright sunlight too?
Hit_Factor
Member
I had a CED with the IR lights. I only used the IR indoors or in a 'coffin' at matches with a chrono. That's how I believe they are intended to be used. But if it works in bright sun that's great. You won't break anything by trying.
I scored a Labradar late last year, indoors I'm having a little trouble with the signal bouncing back. Outdoors it's everything and a little more than I hoped for.
I scored a Labradar late last year, indoors I'm having a little trouble with the signal bouncing back. Outdoors it's everything and a little more than I hoped for.
Wee Hooker
Member
The SC alpha will do just what you need it to do as long as your willing to use a pen and paper to calculate averages, deviations and such. I've been using an Alpha for many years for just (and only) your purpose. I actually prefer it's simplicity over some other brands and models.
FWIW, Shooting Chrony used to sell refurbished units right of their web sight at considerable savings. That's how I got mine. I'm not sure if they still do but it's worth a look.
FWIW, Shooting Chrony used to sell refurbished units right of their web sight at considerable savings. That's how I got mine. I'm not sure if they still do but it's worth a look.
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