Chronograph which is accurate for testing rimfire to centerfire

i've used a shooting chrony for twenty-some years now. no problems here.

luck,

murf

What's your budget?
Caldwell Ballistic Chronograph ~ $75 and has a good app for the iphone/ipad
Magnetospeed Sporter ~ $180
Magnetospeed V3 ~ $380
Labradar ~ $550
Lots of options across a wide range ...

I used a Shooting Chrony for many years before buying a Magnetospeed. I also have a Caldwell for use with handguns; it's easy to set up and works well enough for the task.

murf said:

i've used a shooting chrony for twenty-some years now. no problems here.

luck,

murf

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Like murf, I too have used a Shooting Chrony (F-1) for twenty-some years. My wife bought it for me for Christmas one year. I don't know what she paid, probably well less than a hundred bucks back then, but I've used it for measuring the speed of everything from pellets out of my pellet rifle at 500fps, to bullets out of my 22-250 rifle at 3700fps.
It kind of depends on your situation though BigDog 1955. I do most of my shooting off our rear deck, or down at the county gravel pit. I can reset my chronograph, or do whatever needs to be done to it by simply walking over to it. But if you're doing most of your shooting at a regular shooting range where walking downrange occasionally is not only forbidden, it could be deadly, you're going to need something with remote controls, and maybe even a remote readout.
But as far as needing a chronograph that automatically does averages and standard deviations, I can do averages with a notebook, pencil and pocket calculator. And standard deviations can wait until I sit down at this computer and plug the velocities into Excel.
Whatever you get, be careful. Chronographs don't stand up well to direct hits. I've been lucky - the worst thing I've ever done to mine was forget to turn it off, so the 9V battery was dead when I got down to the county gravel pit. Now I carry a spare taped inside my F-1.

Another satisfied user of Shooting Chrony products.

I am not aware of any light-triggered chronograph that has a provision for external calibration, so the number displayed will be "close" to the true velocity, but is unlikely to be the true velocity. The readings can also be affected by temperature and the freshness of the battery.

A chronograph is a useful tool for determining whether your rounds are "in the ballpark" as well as whether their velocities are consistent from round to round, but if you are expecting it to consistently show 1,250 fps each time because that's what's written on the side of the box, you will be disappointed.

I've had an F1 for several years. It either works or it doesn't. If it works it is plenty close enough compared to the ones costing much more. But at times I've gotten false readings. You'll know, the numbers aren't even close.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/F1-Chronograph/4382668

If I were doing it over I'd buy this. Everything I read says it is better, at about the same cost.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Competition-Electronics-Prochrono-Digital-Chronograph/37466422

jmr40 said:

If I were doing it over I'd buy this. Everything I read says it is better, at about the same cost.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Competition-Electronics-Prochrono-Digital-Chronograph/37466422

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I'm very happy with mine. I've tested 750 fps pistol rounds, several kinds of 22 rimfire, and some hot magnum centerfire loads. Seemed to produce believable, repeatable results with all.

I have a Caldwell. It comes with everything and is as accurate as any. It is even durable, not bullet proof, maybe bullet resistant in the right spot. Mine was once. I hope I don't find out if it's twice resistant...

Another vote for Shooting Chrony. Got my basic model in 1997 and after 10 years sent it in for an inexpensive upgrade with an enlarged memory and a control and display unit that can sit at the bench with me. So here it is 2018 and it's still going strong. It's done a lot of 22 rimfire and even pellet guns and I've even tested it against my buddy's Shooting Chrony using the same gun and load to compare results and they were both very close in all categories ( velocity, average velocity, extreme spread, etc.). For the money I'd give them a thumbs up after 20+ years of service with this one.

Chrony F1. Mine is real finicky after being shot about the 3rd time, but worked great before the 2nd time it got shot!

Ive got a Prochorny digital, and a Magspeed V3. Ive used them both at the same time and they are very close to the same reading. Ive used them for guns that generate velocity as low as 400fps, and as high as 3400.
The prochrony is mostly used for tuning my bows now, those shoot in the high 190s to low 300s.

SamT1 said:

Mine is real finicky after being shot about the 3rd time, but worked great before the 2nd time it got shot!

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If you got shot three times, you’d be cranky too

I bought a used Magnetospeed V3 for about $175 and like it very much. I would think the Sport model would be fine also; just not as many bells and whistles. As best I know neither will work with an auto pistol and I'm not sure about a revolver. I use mine strictly for rifles.

The best part is not having to use sky screens and it doesn't care if the day is sunny or overcast. To me that's worth the price of admission.

burrhead said:

As best I know neither will work with an auto pistol and I'm not sure about a revolver. I use mine strictly for rifles.

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If you have the pic rail adapter and your pistol has a lower rail then you can make a mag speed work with it, tho i THINK it has to be the V3. They work fine on revolvers also, used mine on my ruger SBH in .44

Taliv, if cost were not a factor, would you switch to a Labradar? I'm happy with my Magnetospeed, but it would be nice to have something that works with both rifles and pistols and that doesn't have to be set up "down range" of the firing position. Just curious ...

Thanks. Appreciate the reply.