CHRONOGRAPH

[jethunter]

Wow, what a wordy bunch we are.

Chronograph won't make you a better shooter in the same way a speedometer won't make you a better driver. It's good to know how fast you're going, but it's not impossible to be proficient without it, just easier.

I use a chronograph to test roughly 25% of my reload ammo, mostly if I'm trying a new load. Truth be told I no longer shoot enough competition or long range to make the chronograph "essential", but it's very useful when starting with a new or unknown rifle.

 

[bearhunter]

Yup, the velocometer is really only useful when you're working up a load, checking components for deterioration, or performance on extreme weather days.

Once you've established that your components are good to go, then every shot you record after that only confirms what you already know.

If you're the sort of person who reloads for several cartridges, and you're constantly bringing in new components, it's a gratifying way to check slight differences that the very odd time may not be so slight.

A consistent point of impact is the best indicator that all is well.

 

[snapper1]

As a newcomer in reloading, relying on expert tips (you guys...) and whatever info I can gather, I felt I needed a chrony. This way I'll get good actual data quickly.
So yes I pulled the trigger.
Cheers

 

[track]

I agree with this.
For the average guy reloading who works up a maximum load that shoots well, a chronograph is a luxury item, not really required. I went without one for 30 years. Then I bought the best available at the time an Oehler 35P. Sure I now know what the actual velocities are for my particular rifle but it did not really make a difference to me. I would say though, if you are buying one, buy the best on the market.

I totally agree with you. The chronograph is a luxury item. It never made me a better handloader, shooter or hunter. I do love velocity however, accuracy trumps.

 

[DGY]

Maybe because I’m still new to the reloading game, only like 7years I think and never for competition, I still find my chronograph really useful, help me figure out if I’m in the ballpark velocity wise, help me figure out the bullet path and energy at different distances etc. Maybe I could have done without it but I ain’t smart enough to do all the calculations needed.

 

[Longbow]

I totally agree with you. The chronograph is a luxury item. It never made me a better handloader, shooter or hunter. I do love velocity however, accuracy trumps.

Precision/Accuracy trumps to a little over a second time of flight, after that SDs become pretty important.

 

[track]

Precision/Accuracy trumps to a little over a second time of flight, after that SDs become pretty important.

For long range target shooting SD's are of importance however, not for a FUDD, such as me. For a FUDD, SD means, "sudden death."

 

[Longbow]

Yep. Decide on your acceptable precision and then decide accordingly. I personally encourage all my competition to not use a chronograph.

 

[snapper1]

For long range target shooting SD's are of importance however, not for a FUDD, such as me. For a FUDD, SD means, "sudden death."View attachment 1101420

Gotta love that nice 1B.

 

[track]

Gotta love that nice 1B.

Thanks! It's not a 1-B, but the 1-S. It is chambered in the 300 H&H.

 

[dan belisle]

So, anyone know of any garmin chronograph for sale in Canada? Finally put enough money aside and the only ones I'm seeing are over 1k on Amazon now, and much cheaper on aliexpress, which I have reservations about using. - dan

 

[bearhunter]

So, anyone know of any garmin chronograph for sale in Canada? Finally put enough money aside and the only ones I'm seeing are over 1k on Amazon now, and much cheaper on aliexpress, which I have reservations about using. - dan

If you're worried about aliexpress legitimacy, they are legitimate, but very slow shipping.

I believe they are "resellers" who take an order, then source the item and resell it.

I've orded a few things from them, but it's almost a month, before it arrives. Usually much cheaper than other places.

 

[257Wby]

Dan ….PM sent

 

[Non-phixion]

Reloading or not, a chronograph is a must have for any serious rifle shooter. Its a lie detector and exposes glaring flaws in ammunition: factory or hand loaded rounds. Getting ready for hunting season last year I took several boxes of varying brands of factory ammo I was considering using last season. During the first cold snap ammo that was previously grouping at 0.3-0.5 MOA in warmer weather with consistent velocities and SD's under 10 feet per second would absolutely nose dive and drop sometimes over 100 feet per second in velocity shifts causing the extreme spread and standard deviation to sky rocket. At this point I cannot use this ammo with confidence to kill an animal or be able to deliver the level of accuracy I want. Hornady was by far the worst offender. Norma bond strikes did not suffer from the temperature shifts like the hornady lots of ELDM and ELDX.

I've used the Garmin alot its a great unit, a little pricey on any given day. I bought the athlon rangecraft and I absolutely love it. I wouldn't buy anything from Lab radar if my life depended on it.

 

[270WSMXBolt]

Budget has the Anthelon in stock for $625.00

 

[todbartell]

So, anyone know of any garmin chronograph for sale in Canada? Finally put enough money aside and the only ones I'm seeing are over 1k on Amazon now, and much cheaper on aliexpress, which I have reservations about using. - dan

CGN sponsor Nechako Outdoors has one C1 left @ $699

https://nechakooutdoors.ca/garmin-xero-c1-pro-chronograph/


Athlon Rangecraft 1 left $586 - https://nechakooutdoors.ca/athlon-rangecraft-velocity-pro-radar/


And a bunch of the new C2 Xero - https://nechakooutdoors.ca/garmin-xero-c2-chronograph/

 

[iron cat]

Reloading or not, a chronograph is a must have for any serious rifle shooter. Its a lie detector and exposes glaring flaws in ammunition: factory or hand loaded rounds. Getting ready for hunting season last year I took several boxes of varying brands of factory ammo I was considering using last season. During the first cold snap ammo that was previously grouping at 0.3-0.5 MOA in warmer weather with consistent velocities and SD's under 10 feet per second would absolutely nose dive and drop sometimes over 100 feet per second in velocity shifts causing the extreme spread and standard deviation to sky rocket. At this point I cannot use this ammo with confidence to kill an animal or be able to deliver the level of accuracy I want. Hornady was by far the worst offender. Norma bond strikes did not suffer from the temperature shifts like the hornady lots of ELDM and ELDX.

I've used the Garmin alot its a great unit, a little pricey on any given day. I bought the athlon rangecraft and I absolutely love it. I wouldn't buy anything from Lab radar if my life depended on it.

It is simply amazing how we ever killed anything without a chronograph !
It's also amazing how the people I know up in the far North who do not use one have been able to efficiently kill animals in any weather!
edit note:
a .303 British 150 grain Hornady with a MV of 2788 zeroed at 200 meters is only about .5MOA higher than it is with a MV of 2688 FPS
Hardly enough to worry about on a deer considering the vast majority of animals are killed well within 200 meters every year.

Cat

 

[KodiakHntr]

Reloading or not, a chronograph is a must have for any serious rifle shooter. Its a lie detector and exposes glaring flaws in ammunition: factory or hand loaded rounds. Getting ready for hunting season last year I took several boxes of varying brands of factory ammo I was considering using last season. During the first cold snap ammo that was previously grouping at 0.3-0.5 MOA in warmer weather with consistent velocities and SD's under 10 feet per second would absolutely nose dive and drop sometimes over 100 feet per second in velocity shifts causing the extreme spread and standard deviation to sky rocket. At this point I cannot use this ammo with confidence to kill an animal or be able to deliver the level of accuracy I want.

How far out are you killing animals that 100fps will make a difference on whether your bullet works or not??

How much do you shoot on average that you can realize the difference in impact that a 100fps velocity change would impart?

 

[track]

Reloading or not, a chronograph is a must have for any serious rifle shooter. Its a lie detector and exposes glaring flaws in ammunition: factory or hand loaded rounds. Getting ready for hunting season last year I took several boxes of varying brands of factory ammo I was considering using last season. During the first cold snap ammo that was previously grouping at 0.3-0.5 MOA in warmer weather with consistent velocities and SD's under 10 feet per second would absolutely nose dive and drop sometimes over 100 feet per second in velocity shifts causing the extreme spread and standard deviation to sky rocket. At this point I cannot use this ammo with confidence to kill an animal or be able to deliver the level of accuracy I want. Hornady was by far the worst offender. Norma bond strikes did not suffer from the temperature shifts like the hornady lots of ELDM and ELDX.

I've used the Garmin alot its a great unit, a little pricey on any given day. I bought the athlon rangecraft and I absolutely love it. I wouldn't buy anything from Lab radar if my life depended on it.

This is my father. How in the hell did he ever kill several deer, over several years with the same box of Imperial ammunition, without a chronograph? This also applies to millions of other hunters and over a billion animals killed. Chronograph is a luxury item and not a necessity for hunters.

 

[Dmay]

Okay, so hunters don't need chronographs. Doesn't really answer the Op......just saying......not sure why some always assume "shooting" means "hunting"....it doesn't.