Best inexpensive Chronograph

[jmorris]

GW, they look for the shadow of the bullet passing over and can detect quite a way above the sensor. This is the smallest "window" I have ever shot at with either of mine.



The only reason I did that was because it was dark and I wanted the numbers. Because the sight height is above the bore, I aimed just the cardboard and the bullet went just below to be measured.

If you are worried about destroying the plastic screens wait to chronograph on a cloudy day. You don't need them then as the clouds are sufficient by themselves.

 

[Walkalong]

I generally shoot so the bullet is at a height about halfway between the top of the chrono and the plastic top pieces on the rods. Basically the middle. It's a little higher than normal in this pic. I simply got in a hurry and pulled the shot down. Careless.

 

[JoelSteinbach]

Been using the Chrony Beta Master for years, very basic but has good memory for strings and remote readout, battery life is also real good, and very affordable. Love my unit

 

[Nordeste]

I also own a ProChrono Digital and couldn't be happier with it. I measured against my shooting buddy's CMD M2 and they were spot on.

 

[Dudedog]

My chrono arrived yesterday. Tried it out with the pellet rifle. So far so good. Can't wait to get it to the outdoor range to try it with other things.

As a side note what type of bullet was that Walkalong? Sure cut a nice clean hole in the chrono, just a little high and left to press the button!

 

[d_michael]

+1 to the Pro Chrono Digital, mine works great.... also if i'm not mistaken Competition Electronics is made in U.S.A. and none of the others are

 

[Walkalong]

what type of bullet was that Walkalong?

.32 Wadcutter. Great shooter, all my fault. *Sigh*

Chronos are fun to play with, and give very useful info, but don't get too hung up on the numbers.

 

[Foto Joe]

It's funny about the numbers...

For the last few weeks I've been attempting to work up a load for 160gr LRNFP's & 230gr LRN's for a SAA (45 Colt). I don't really care how fast they're going but I'm looking for the tightest groups that I can get for a specific boolit. Last week I went out to the range with the chronograph and set up a target at about 10-12 yards with the chronograph about 10 feet in front of me. The group for this specific load wasn't too bad for what I was shooting (1 1/2") but what surprised me was the fps numbers. When I got home I plugged the numbers into my computer and came up with 803 fps average over ten shots. When I looked at Hodgdons load data they claimed 802 fps for that load. I'll bet that never happens again!!

BTW, the load is 6.5gr of TrailBoss pushing a 230gr LRN cast from clip on wheel weights and an RWS primer dating back to the mid 1960's.

 

[Dudedog]

No I don't plan on getting hung up on the numbers and realize that a different chrono might have different numbers. One (not all) of the reasons I purchased it was for a sanity check. I don't exceed published data. If the vels are to high for my loads something is wrong and I messed up bigtime. I am not using it to justify my reloading safety practices because after the first shot it could be to late. I have not had this happen but as an example if the load is supposed to be 1000 fps and I am getting 1200 something isn't right. The main reason was just for info. (had to work a bunch of overtime so I owe myself a new toy) I would just like to have an idea of the vels I am getting. I am intersted to see how much spread mixed range brass might be causing in my pistol loads. (I realize other things can be causing the difference as well, most likely powder charge, and yes I weigh them but when using my Lee turrent and auto disk I usually only weigh the first couple then every 5th or 10th one)
I also realize that velocity does not have a 1 to 1 relationship with pressure or for that matter a direct x to y relationship but I would certainly think if vels are higher than what is to be expected then the pressure is probably to high as well.

 

[Foto Joe]

but when using my Lee turrent and auto disk I usually only weigh the first couple then every 5th or 10th one

That sounds familiar. I just switch mine over to the adjustable charge bar instead of the disks and it's a learning experience.