what chrony do you use?

MartyK2500 said:
I love my labradar, but was also very satisfied with the Caldwell chronograph.
The one they sell at Cabelas, very impressive for the price.

I'd say unless getting into precision rifle and wanting very reliable drop charts, the Caldwell will serve you very well, also has intergrated iPhone app.
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I was going to get the Caldwell one that you speak of but the majority of shooting I door is indoor handgun. I know some who have it and works very well for them especially the price. If I was doing most shooting outside and wanted a good inexpensive chronograph the Caldwell would be it.
But now having the LabRadar I could not go back to any of the chronographs. I had an old computer bag that everything fits into including the square base stand.
 
OkayShooter said:
This range I cannot use a tripod. Only because the shooting point is higher than were 20ft would be. So you be shooting down at it, into the ground.
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I had the same issue with my range and as a result my Chrony never saw much use. I picked up a Magnetospeed and used it recently and it is a dream!
 
I use a Chrony as well, though I have always placed it within 10feet of my rifle. I'll have to try it out a bit further next trip to the range.

I am also considering getting a Magnetospeed to make the setup/takedown quicker, but I would keep my Chrony for my handguns and such.
 
Purchased a Green Chrony back in the 1980's with the cardboard screens. Been using it ever since with no problems. As others have stated, place it appx 20 ft away and use shades when the sky is blue.
 
Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph with fluorescent lights for indoors and laptop interface. Mount it on a Monfrotto 190 tripod
 
Velocity measuring devices are great in that they give a pretty good evaluation of the consistency of your loads under the conditions of the moment.

They're great for showing the differences ambient temperatures can make to velocities and barrel harmonics. Extreme cold changes a lot of things on a rifle as does extreme heat. For instance making up a load for a Coyote rifle in late July to use in January wouldn't be advisable. Other things change besides velocities but the meter will at least give you an idea how much drop to expect.

I used a Chrony, after using a screen set up system. The Chrony was handier and cheaper than setting up and replacing screens. Then, over the past several years a few different types of units came out to measure velocities.

If you like "gadgets" then go for one of those that reports back to your tablet or cell.

Many folks make claims one type or another is best.

I no longer use a Chrony because of the inconvenience of set up and extra gear that needs to be carried. NO OTHER REASON. The readings were close enough to give me an idea of what the velocities were and the spread variations.

Now I use a Magnetospeed. Why??? Because it's HANDY. It will and does often fit into my pocket.

I only use a velocimeter to get within a ballpark area with my loads. Then, I tweak the load for my rifle/components for accuracy.

To figure out the TRUE velocities I zero the rifle/load at 100yds and shoot that rifle/load combination out to 300yds. Then I measure the drop to the center of the group at each distance and compare it to the drop rate charts either online or in the tables that accompany some reloading manuals. I like those tables because they work with velocity for different weights of bullets and have proven to be very accurate in assessing the velocity of a particular load combination.

If you're going to be hunting with your rifle/handload, you should be doing this procedure anyway. Lots of reasons. One to prove your trajectory and zero are ok. I have often seen a rifle zeroed at 100 yds with 6-12 cm of drift in the direction of the twist at 300 yds. Sometimes it's the rifle/scope and sometimes it's the bullet. YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS so you can compensate in the field.

Bench Rest shooters seldom bother with velocities. They're more concerned with knowing how much drop or windage they have to dial in or hold for at specific ranges.

OP and other newbies, pick the unit that appeals to you but understand its limitations.

TURF THE LIBERALS IN 2019
 
hunters home said:
Purchased a Green Chrony back in the 1980's with the cardboard screens. Been using it ever since with no problems. As others have stated, place it appx 20 ft away and use shades when the sky is blue.
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I've got one of these units too. Still works after all these years (meaning that I've only shot the diffuser stands, not the box lol)

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Scott_N said:
I've got one of these units too. Still works after all these years (meaning that I've only shot the diffuser stands, not the box lol)

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I am still using mine but there are a lot more holes in the card board aiming marks.
Testing a 22 at 100 yards was not the best idea . . .
 
Labradar users never write about barrel harmonics with the unit on or off. I'd like to read about this topic to see how it effects drop and group size. What is your experience on this topic?
Peter
 
Gun5tuff said:
Labradar users never write about barrel harmonics with the unit on or off. I'd like to read about this topic to see how it effects drop and group size. What is your experience on this topic?
Peter
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Magnetospeed attaches to the barrel, Labradar doesn't. I see varying POI shift with the MS mounted. On a pencil bbl Rem 760 .30-06 it was close to 2' at 100 yds. On a Rem 700P varmint profile its a few inches. The one single test I did showed groups opened up a little with the MS mounted on the 700 but they were representive of accuracy nodes. In other words tighter groups at a node without the MS were also comparatively tight with MS and vice versa. You could compare targets and come to the same conclusion which charge weights shot tighter than others. However this was 1 test with 1 load varying charge weights in 1 rifle. I haven't tried it since and don't believe it to be a rule.
 
I have a Caldwell "Deluxe" kit. Works fine. It is the older style that has a wire from the readout to the phone/iPad. If a bright sunny day like today, we have to put a strip of cardboard over each of the plastic straps on top of the little rods. Otherwise, just get errors. I have only used mine three times. I plan to use it more often, providing I don't forget it! I'll make something simple to fit over the straps to tone down the sunlight, something that will fit in the kit bag.
 
I use a labradar. Bring it every range trip. My old chrony was such a pain in the ass to setup and use. Labradar is 30 seconds and I don't have to go in front of the firing line. Magneto speed looks great to and would be a good choice if shooting in the field more than a range.
 
I just picked up a Magneto Speed. I probably will get a lab radar as well at some point, but for now magneto speed it will be. I do a lot more field shooting.
 
Competition Electronics Prochrono Digital w/ the Bluetooth accessory.
I have an incandescent light box I use to shoot thru it indoors.
It never misses a shot and works great.
The Bluetooth app on my Iphone is intuitive and easy to work with.

Used the same setup at the 2016 IPSC Nationals; only I had 2 Prochronos in a line hard wired via USB to a laptop for easy display - worked great.

Comparing the velocities I get on the Prochrono to what I get when I travel the country to other IPSC matches; it's right on.
(No, I don't sell Chronos.)
 
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