Chronograph off due to cold or snow?

[Shak3s1977]

Anyone use their chronograph in the cold and snow? We took my dad's out the other day, and I believe the high was 22F that day. Roughly 6 inches of snow on the ground. The numbers were extremely low from what was expected, and it only would pick up 3 or 4 shots out of 10.

Manual said to be above 32 degrees I think. Trying to figure out if it was the cold, or maybe the snow messing it up. Thoughts?

 

[Soonerpesek]

Chronograph in the snow | The High Road

From just a week or so ago.......Lotsa solutions here.....

 

[Blue68f100]

Being that cold also effect the powder, so expect some velocity loss. How much depends on what powder is being used.

 

[Shak3s1977]

Chronograph in the snow | The High Road

From just a week or so ago.......Lotsa solutions here.....

Thanks. I'll give some of those ideas a try. Not sure how I missed that post.

 

[Shak3s1977]

Being that cold also effect the powder, so expect some velocity loss. How much depends on what powder is being used.

I was using True Blue. I'll have to make sure the chrono is working correctly with some ideas from the other thread. I was off almost 100 fps from what I was expecting.

 

[HowieG]

I am surprised I don't see this here. Alkaline batteries are negatively affected by cold. They have a water based electrolyte. They perform poorly in near, or below, freezing temps. I don't know what yours has in it, but mine uses a 9 volt alkaline.

That is where hand warmers are handy. Place a handwarmer near the battery and hold it there some how. An Ace bandage might work if you can wrap it around your device without getting in the way of the optics.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Using the old Oehler, indoors, with incandescent display lights, was always a fuddle fest to get to work. Never thot about using one outside in snow and sunshine.
The skyscreen units use bullet shadows for measurement; in that bright a light, and snowy background, there likely are no shadows.
Unhappily, the skyscreens work best when the bullet is closest to them. This can cause problems; no need to ask how I know this.
Moon

 

[ahutch71]

Using the old Oehler, indoors, with incandescent display lights, was always a fuddle fest to get to work. Never thot about using one outside in snow and sunshine.
The skyscreen units use bullet shadows for measurement; in that bright a light, and snowy background, there likely are no shadows.
Unhappily, the skyscreens work best when the bullet is closest to them. This can cause problems; no need to ask how I know this.
Moon

It's good to know that I'm not the only one that's ever put one center mass on a chrono.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Anyone use their chronograph in the cold and snow? We took my dad's out the other day, and I believe the high was 22F that day. Roughly 6 inches of snow on the ground. The numbers were extremely low from what was expected, and it only would pick up 3 or 4 shots out of 10.

Manual said to be above 32 degrees I think. Trying to figure out if it was the cold, or maybe the snow messing it up. Thoughts?

You answered your own question in your OP. The manual tells you to use their Chrono above @32° and the temp you tested at was 22°. Like I said, you answered your own question.

 

[Rule3]

Not only the cold but the light reflection from the snow
I had a problem with one of my old chronys as our range was pretty much white sand. No way would it work in bright sunlight due to reflection.
Got rid of that one and got a Com Electronics. Works all the time.

I am not gonna test it in snow or below freezing!!

It's in the 40's here now. I am gonna die!

 

[halfmoonclip]

ahutch71, the difference between bore axis and the height of an optic on a 9mm carbine led to a "Honey, I shot the skyscreens" moment. On my old Oehler, only the skyscreens were downrange, and they were cheaply enough replaced. Oehler parts availability, and customer service were first class.

LabRadar is just so much easier to use, nothing downrange at all. Never tried it outdoors in hard weather.
Moon

 

[Shak3s1977]

I am not gonna test it in snow or below freezing!!

It's in the 40's here now. I am gonna die!

40s is like a heat wave lol. I see alot of videos with people using chronographs in the snow. Figured I would try it, lol.

What sucks? When the hot brass melts thru the snow down to the dirt. Sucks digging them out. We usually shot revolvers in the snow, but I was anxious to try some 9mm loads I made up. Guess I'll be waiting till spring.