Things I (re)learned about chronographs

[WR Moore]

I rediscovered a partial box of Speer LSWCHPs and decided to try a few. The first thing I relearned was just how much fun cleaning a gun when using soft lead bullets wasn't. But the thing that drove me bananas was my chrono readings. The first round clocked at 200 f/s and the second at 1300 f/s. A trial with a .45 load showed a reading of 1658 f/s. None were possible. Cutting a long story short, the issue turned out to be the bright sunlight on the chrono at an angle. When I put the chrono in the shade, but with a clear view at the sky, the readings returned to the real world. The only thing I can think of is that the shadow of the bullet produced by the angle of the sun was triggering the sky screens. Trials with 22lr from rifles had produced realistic readings, so muzzle velocity was a factor too.

 

[rockquarry]

I rediscovered a partial box of Speer LSWCHPs and decided to try a few. The first thing I relearned was just how much fun cleaning a gun when using soft lead bullets wasn't. But the thing that drove me bananas was my chrono readings. The first round clocked at 200 f/s and the second at 1300 f/s. A trial with a .45 load showed a reading of 1658 f/s. None were possible. Cutting a long story short, the issue turned out to be the bright sunlight on the chrono at an angle. When I put the chrono in the shade, but with a clear view at the sky, the readings returned to the real world. The only thing I can think of is that the shadow of the bullet produced by the angle of the sun was triggering the sky screens. Trials with 22lr from rifles had produced realistic readings, so muzzle velocity was a factor too.

I've had six chronographs in the last forty five years. They all worked. They all had quirks. I can only recall one that was really a cut below the others. I used to chronograph a lot, sometimes several hundred rounds in a session. If you don't eventually shoot a chronograph or a component of it, you don't use a chronograph very much.

I'm thinking about one of these new Garmins, only for the ultimate in convenience, but then, I think about a lot of gun stuff I might consider buying. Anybody use one?

 

[stansdds]

So far, the only thing I have shot on my old Chrony F1 was a sky screen. It has been a good and very reliable chronograph.

 

[pokey074]

Try a Garmin. It will change your life.

 

[rockquarry]

I've had six chronographs in the last forty five years. They all worked. They all had quirks. I can only recall one that was really a cut below the others. I used to chronograph a lot, sometimes several hundred rounds in a session. If you don't eventually shoot a chronograph or a component of it, you don't use a chronograph very much.

Try a Garmin. It will change your life.

If it will change my life, I may not want one.

 

[Lance Boyle]

I have had a CED for years. I liked it as the unit was on the bench and only the dumb screens were forward. I never shot a screen yet.

I got the Rangemaster from Athlon. I have to say that is the only way to go because I do use it a heck of a lot more! Little tripod comes with it, i set it to the side of my guns and shoot. Easy peasy.

 

[MLS2GO]

I have had the Garmin since shortly after they came out. It is great, easy, always works, and quick. I don't have experience with the Athlon, but I do like their scopes for the money.

 

[Fessor]

I'm another Garmin loyalist. Accurate and quick and easy to set up and use.

 

[Yendor357]

After I got the Garmin, I gave my Magneto Speed away and tossed my old Chrony.

Every reloaded needs a chronograph. It doesn’t matter which one. The Garmin is extremely easy to work with.

 

[500hunter]

Been using my Oehler 33 for 40 years or more. Only mishap was when I let a friend shoot and 1st shot he hit the housing that holds the 'eye'. New holder was only a few bucks.

 

[Rock185]

I've used chronographs since the late '70s; some ancient type invented about the same time as the Sundial, later Oehler, PACT, etc. . Shot chronograph-check, Shot component-check. The sky screen types always required the Sun shades, or else the wacky readings like WR posted. And if I went to the range later in the day, with Sun lower in the sky, I might be out of luck getting any chronograph data at all. Now I have the Garmin; life is good!

 

[fordson]

I’ve owned 4, and shot 3. I now have a Garmin.

 

[27 Man]

I cashed in all my Bass Pro gift cards from past birthdays, Christmases, Father’s Day and other events for a Garmin. I’m going to like it.

 

[Skyhunter]

Introduced to chronographs years ago with a friend's Oehler 33 and that was an eye-opening experience! It was a great machine, but set-up on a busy range was a royal PIA.
I later bought a CED - another great machine, but plagued with the same PIA for set-up & take-down.
As previously noted, every serious reloader NEEDS a chronograph and the Garmin has made their use easy as can be. I've been extremely pleased with mine for about a year now.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[Lance Boyle]

Introduced to chronographs years ago with a friend's Oehler 33 and that was an eye-opening experience! It was a great machine, but set-up on a busy range was a royal PIA.
I later bought a CED - another great machine, but plagued with the same PIA for set-up & take-down.
As previously noted, every serious reloader NEEDS a chronograph and the Garmin has made their use easy as can be. I've been extremely pleased with mine for about a year now.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

Exactly how I felt with the CED. It worked but I had better go to one of the more quiet clubs I belonged to. Otherwise getting it set up and aligned with my target was not going to happen. I shoot groups while chronographing and I wouldn’t hold others up to get set up.

 

[BillinAlamo]

I'm going to ask Santa for a Garmin. The ProChrono, like the Oehler it replaced, is so yesterday's technology.

 

[rockquarry]

I'm going to ask Santa for a Garmin. The ProChrono, like the Oehler it replaced, is so yesterday's technology.

There's nothing necessarily wrong with yesterday's technology if it continues to work well and provides desired results.

 

[Law-dog]

We have tested many side by side. Actually shooting thru 2 of them at the same time. They all work and there is never more than 1-2 fps difference. Any chrono will work and yes everyone needs one.

Even if you do not reload, you can see what ammo is close to advertised and what is not, 10 mm for example, some scream some are wimps. And you can see the massive difference in velocity in say an AR rifle, carbine and pistol.

Buy what you want, every cheap one out there will do everything you need, but some will do lots more. As we age, convenience matters more than anything else. And the time and work involved of setting up one with sky screens is more than we can handle, the new ones solve all of that.

 

[elfego baca]

I opted for a Athlon. Scheels had a sale. Get their credit card get $75 towards any purchase.
Side by side comparison with a Garmin. Wuthin a couple of feet/sec.
i paid $325 vs $475. My father's day gift!

 

[stansdds]

There's nothing necessarily wrong with yesterday's technology if it continues to work well and provides desired results.

Until you put a bullet through it. Like I said, that has not happened to me yet. Also, as with mine, the manufacturer is gone and if the electronics fail, it's finished. I'd buy a radar chrono if I ever have to buy a new chronograph.