chronograph recommendations?

[anchorman]

Looking to finally start reloading. I have a press, and a well experienced friend with all the other goodies I'll need for now, who has been at it for close to 40 years or more who will guide me. one thing that neither of us have, however, is a chronograph. I'm not even sure where to start. I guess the most important question is what should I avoid? and second, what should I look for?

Don't want to spend a ton of money, but don't want to buy junk that works erratically too.

 

[anchorman]

FWIW, mostly will be doing rifle loads, some pistol, but I wouldn't mind if this thing would handle shotgun loads so I could check speed out of the muzzle with those too.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have been using a PACT Model 1 XP for 5 or 6 years now and I'm very happy with it. I like the fact the "works" sit on the bench next to you out of the line of fire. When you do shoot your chrono, and you will, all you need to replace is a sensor or two instead of the entire chrono which costs a lot less. The Model 1 XP Lists for $129.95 but they can be had for $109 when on sale.

That chrono is the only one I've owned so I can't comment on any others.

 

[Reloadron]

There are likely a half dozen recent chronograph threads in this section so you may want to search through for a few and read them as many are what should I buy threads.

Rather than suggest a single make or model here is what I would do. Start with a clean blank sheet of paper and list the features you feel are essential for your use and applications followed by nice to have features, Then begin looking at the chronographs available as to what features they have. Make a decision based on your specific needs and wants.

I have a pretty old Oehler 35P which I like. However, if I were to buy one today I would look for the features I have (I love the printer and math features) plus a laptop computer interface (unheard of years ago). With a good quality chronograph and a PC interface you can literally set up a ballistics lab on the range.

Ron

 

[Dthunter]

Try the "CHRONY" line. They are cheap, and reliable. Get the model where you have the LED readout seperate from the chrony body, and a good tripod. I know these models work very well. If the velocities are accurate enough to be able to plug into my ISnipe program, and use out to 1000yards +, that says something.

Chrongraphs are a serious shooters tool. They tell the reloader when the load recipe is producing the velocites desired.

Also when the velocities are reached well before the "book charge" says its supposed to.
Pressure is ALWAYS there, if the velocities are there. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Some times the pressures occur before the velocities are where you want them. Thats the beauty of the chronygraph. Actual information to work with, not just " thats what the book says I am getting".
If used properly, It aids Reloaders maintain saftey in thier reloading tests

 

[anchorman]

I'm leaning strong towards the pac model with the IR sensors. looks like good price plus good functionality. or maybe the regular sensors and upgrade if I'm having problems. I like that they are Made in USA, I'd rather pay people to work here than pay middlemen to get rich from chinese slave labor. I'll check out the other chrony models, and see if they will meet my needs too.

Thanks for the replies so far, I did a better search and found the other threads too.

 

[CGT80]

I have the CED M2. It runs about $200, roughly. The electronics are in a small unit that is remote from the sensors. It works like an advanced calculator and will calculate averages, SD, ES, PF, etc. I plug it into my computer when I get home and save the data as text or excel files. It is pretty advanced and has worked great for me.

 

[454PB]

I presently own two chronographs.....A chrony with remote readout and a Competition Electronics that I've had for 20-25 years. Both work flawlessly if the instructions are followed. Always carry a spare battery, there's nothing worse than getting everything set up and finding a dead battery.

Most chronographs fail by being shot. In all the years I've owned one, I've never shot one. Keep the screen sensors 15' from the muzzle, and ALWAYS align to the screens by sighting along the barrel.....not through the scope or even open sights......along the barrel!

 

[springer99]

First of all, you don't need a chronograph at all in most instances. Having a chronograph to establish your actual velocity and things like standard deviation, High/Low Velocity, etc. just removes the "guessing" part of establishing what your real velocity is for any load. I usually try and run all new loads over my chrony to "fill in the blanks" when working up a load, but the target group size is ultimately what I use in selecting a final load to use.

BTW, I use an inexpensive F-1 Chrony whiich has been going strong for over 10 years now, and cost me less than $100.00

 

[anchorman]

First of all, you don't need a chronograph at all in most instances.

What is this "need" you speak of? This, like most things is all about "want". I'm a curious person, and I like numbers. I've seen that one doesn't need a chrony, my friend who is going to be working with me as I learn reloading has been at it for 40+ years, and never had one. I shot once with his .308 that he was loading for. Even with my amateur marksmanship abilities I was easily hitting what I aimed at at 100 yards. And I've watched him with his hand loads and .44 mag pistol standing at the firing line shooting a milk jug at 100 yards and hitting it rather consistently. I know you can do without and still make great ammo and get good results, but I like toys. Especially toys that give me meaningful numbers back.

 

[springer99]

What is this "need" you speak of? This, like most things is all about "want". I'm a curious person, and I like numbers. I've seen that one doesn't need a chrony, my friend who is going to be working with me as I learn reloading has been at it for 40+ years, and never had one. I shot once with his .308 that he was loading for. Even with my amateur marksmanship abilities I was easily hitting what I aimed at at 100 yards. And I've watched him with his hand loads and .44 mag pistol standing at the firing line shooting a milk jug at 100 yards and hitting it rather consistently. I know you can do without and still make great ammo and get good results, but I like toys. Especially toys that give me meaningful numbers back.

Oh, I see! In that case, Chrony, CED or Oehler will be happy to supply what-ever you need. Don't forget to pick one out that will store long strings of data, print them out at the range and/or download the data right into your ballistics calculator software in the computer back home. I gotta admit that I like toys too.

 

[Reloadron]

This thread covers things well as to a chronograph being needed or a nice to have tool. I loaded thousands of rounds before a chronograph was ever in my toolbox.

While I really like my old Oehler 35P and it does quite a bit the technology curve has come a long, long way. Eventually I would like to be able to chronograph with a direct interface to a laptop on the range. My idea of a day on the range is just that, a day on the range. Sunrise to sunset works for me and that leaves plenty of time to collect data and use the data.

I watch the bench rest serious shooters load while they are on the range.

Anyway, a chronograph is a tool and while a very nice to have tool not essential for hand loading. Hell, if I could manage it I would love to have a whole ballistics lab on the range.

Ron

 

[454PB]

I guess you could say the same thing about powder scales and measures......not required, but very helpful. You can use a set of Lee powder dippers

 

[murf]

get the shooting chrony and a pair of binoculars.

don't have to get real fancy with this.

murf

 

[cfullgraf]

I guess you could say the same thing about powder scales and measures......not required, but very helpful. You can use a set of Lee powder dippers

Powder scales are a requirement. Whether you dip, dump or trickle, you do not know what the charge weight is without a scale.

The chronograph one gets depends on the budget one has and the features one wants.

They all have their idiosyncrasies and they all can provide good, reliable data.

 

[454PB]

Not at all. Billions of rounds of ammunition have been loaded using a Lee loader with nothing fancier than a plastic dipper and a chart showing what weight that dipper throws with a particular powder. Which was my point.....you can reload to many levels of accuracy and precision, depending on how much money you want to spend.

I know a lot of handloaders that spend more on scales and measures than what it costs to buy a basic chronograph.

 

[hueyville]

I have both an Oehler 35P and the Model 43 Ballistics Laboratory with acoustic target and amplifier. At one time they quit selling the PBL to the public so you may want to check their website or others for availability. The 35P is more than enogh machine for most applications though.

 

[jmr40]

First of all, you don't need a chronograph at all in most instances.

I loaded for several years without a chronograph, now that I have one, I'd not suggest anyone ever load without one. Knowing exact bullet speeds is nice to know, but not the primary reason. Making sure you are not working on a dangerous, overpressure load is the reason. After buying mine and chronographing some loads I had previously worked up I found some were a lot slower than I anticipated and I was able to safely improve performance. Others were a good bit faster than I anticipated and I decided to back off a bit to allow a little more margin for errror. None were showing traditional pressure signs, but I was getting close with loads well below book max.

I'm pleased with my $100 Chrony. I've seen some tests showing some of the other more expensive brands are more accurate, but usually the $100 units are within 25 fps or so of the actual speeds. That is close enough for my needs.