Chronograph for handgun calibers

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Schwing

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I am on the hunt for a chronograph. I don't care about features such as calculating standard deviation etc. I am also not concerned about the memory on the unit. My biggest concern is getting one that isn't going to throw an error on every other shot. I will be using this for .380 up to .44 mag load testing.

I am seeing very inexpensive models like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083462&pf_rd_i=507846

Up to more expensive like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Chro...87490914&sr=1-1&keywords=shooting+chronograph

If all I care about is the reliability of each reading, do you all have any recommendations? Thanks!
 
I shoot better when I focus on shooting, not looking up after every shot to see if the dang thang recorded a shot or not...

Get the one that does store shot strings in memory my .02
 
I also have the Comp Electronics model

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph

If you watch it goes on sale often. I think I paid $89.

It works really well for everything from 22 to 44 mag and also for my 30-06 and 308.

I highly recommend the remote box even though you say you aren't interested in any bells and whistles. The remote box is so convenient at the range and it also allows you to download the results to a serial port on a computer. Great for printing off results to tape right to the ammo boxes and in your reloading book.

Just looked up the remote, it is quite a bit more expensive than I remember, but I still think well worth it if you ever use the chronograph at a shooting range.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/85...ital-remote-control-for-prochrono-chronograph
 
Last edited:
Schwing said:
I
If all I care about is the reliability of each reading, do you all have any recommendations? Thanks!
Click to expand...

When using ambient light, all of the optical chronographs will go through periods of frustrations. There are many things that can affect the reading and many things to do to improve the reliability.

Sun, no sun, clouds, no clouds, shade, reflections off the ground, position of the sun in the sky, distance of the muzzle from the sensors, size of the bullet (usually down around 22 caliber and smaller), and a few others that I cannot remember at the moment.

Nothing insurmountable but frustrating at times.

Just keep that in mind.

I finally bought the infrared lights for my CED M2 and those problems have been virtually non-existant.
 
I have and use an older 'Master Chrony Beta Model'. I've had it for a number of years.
I have had no problems, nor have I shot it. It has a 10 foot cable for the read out unit.

About the only time I shoot a .22 is to verify that the Chrony is working, no failure so far. I check every thing from black powder pistols to smokeless powered rifles with no problems. I have found that if I keep the photo sensors clean and shoot in the upper portion of the 'V' with the sun shade up top, I will have no 'error' messages. Oh, black powder rains carbon/soot a lot.
 
Just remember that chrono's don't like early mornings, and late evenings. I usually try and Chrono between 10am-4pm, or 10am-3pm during the winter. If its cloudy I remove the shades. It helps sometimes to put a black ring around the bullet with a sharpie. I have had mine for about 2yrs now, and have 500 or more rounds shot through it without fail. The directions that comes with the Chrono will explain the above better.

Just make sure you get a good tripod. I had a cheap one for a while that was a pain. I ended up finding a high end tripod ($100+ new) at a yard sale for $30.
 
I'll fourth it! The user ratings are very high on this unit. I can easily read velocity from the bench. The only times mine didn't work were at dusk. There just wasn't enough light.:eek:
 
One thing I have found with mine on the weird readings thing early and late and cloudy vs very bright and sunny. I take a target of the off white type somewhat like a manila folder colored. and attach it across the screens lenght wise with a couple of clothes pins on each end. This has worked very well on more than several occasions to give better and more reliable readings when things start to get squirrely with the lighting.

The only downside is when the wind gets up to around 15 or so MPH but I don't usually have it set up in those conditions, usually being the key word.
 
I've had my Shooting Chrony Beta modle for a dozen years or so. It has always give me trouble on bright days when the sun is high.Mostly a failure to record a shot or shots and errors. I'm almost glad I shot it last summer. I kicked one of the wire supports with my .243 and now its dead.I won't be buying another Shooting Chrony !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I wanted to give an update on my purchase. I have had my Competition Electronics Pro Digital Chrono for about a month now and have had the opportunity to use it a few times.

I am 100% satisfied with it. I have yet to have any errors and have not had any issues whether it is cloudy or full sun. I even put it under the covered part of my range and it still reads every time.

The display is plenty big. Aside from not being able to change strings from the bench, I don't even really see the point in the remote. I don't have the greatest eyesight but have no problems seeing the display at about 15'.

I originally posted the following:
I don't care about features such as calculating standard deviation etc. I am also not concerned about the memory on the unit.
Click to expand...

I am REALLY glad that it has these functions now. I had just envisioned writing down each shot and doing my calculations at home. It sure is nice to just hit the review button for each string and have it calculate everything for me.


If anyone is on the fence, I would highly recommend this chronograph.
 
You will like it. I've had the same model for several years, & never had problems with different light, times of day, etc. It reads nearly every shot in all kinds of conditions.
 
I just ordered the CE Prochrono based on recommendations from this forum. I think 90% of the 2 pages worth of responses were for this chrono.
 
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