Chronograph?

Status
Not open for further replies.
W

Wayne02

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2004
Messages
197
Location
Washington
I'd like to get a chrony and was wondering what type you all use? At my gun club we can uses a chronograph but I would need one that provided the readout back at the shooting bench, not just on the chorny itself. Maybe they all do this nowadays?

I will only be able to adjust/move it during the time the range is called cold so I was wondering if I could mount it on a camera tripod which would be relatively easy to move?

Thanks
 
Shooting Chrony with the remote display. When I bought mine, the model with the remote display was only about $15 more. But boy what a valuable feature!
 
I will only be able to adjust/move it during the time the range is called cold so I was wondering if I could mount it on a camera tripod which would be relatively easy to move?
Click to expand...

That`s how I do it.
You`ll find alineing the screens quickly during down time between the target and bore is a PITA though without some help.
 
Here's a picture of my chrono set up at a public range. You don't need the readout at the bench as its quite visible from 10 to 12 feet distance. I use paper and pencil to capture the data that shows the last shot rather than relying on the chrono's memory. I then transfer the data to a spread sheet I made to crunch the numbers. When testing velocities I don't bother with a target. Accuracy is tested later without the chrono.
Chronosetup1.JPG
 
I have the same Chrono as "Bullet" linked to. I like the PACT Model 1 XP and the price is right too. When Midway runs a sale it can be had for $109.
 
You`ll find alineing the screens quickly during down time between the target and bore is a PITA though without some help.
Click to expand...
Hmm, something else I had not considered. Our target stands are at 25 or 50 yards and all rounds fired must be on the paper. I hadn't thought about the need to align the chronograph with target and bore. I usually go during member hours so there is not a big crowd there, but with all the new members joining it's not like the old days when it was almost guaranteed that I'd be by myself. I don't know that I would have any help to align the gear, and while chronographs are allowed for use by members it can't be at the determent of unreasonably delaying the other shooters on the line.

I wonder about the use of a laser mounted on small tripod sitting on the shooting bench at gun height to assist with positioning of the chronograph in line with the target?

Is 10-12 feet the typical distance that chronographs are used at?

Thanks
 
I wonder about the use of a laser mounted on small tripod sitting on the shooting bench at gun height to assist with positioning of the chronograph in line with the target?

Is 10-12 feet the typical distance that chronographs are used at?
Click to expand...

:evil::evil:
Yep it can be a pain...
I use a laser, not as you are thinking of though. I use a laser bore sighter with the rifle aimed at the target on the bags and the bolt removed. One of club I belong to doesn`t allow rifles on the bench if anyone is in front of the line. All rifles must be in the racks. Make sure your OK if you try this.

I go ~10/12' I don`t bring a tape but the cords are about 15' and I take it out to a point they are "just on the ground" to keep al my measurements at close to a equal distance.
 
Just a hint: When I set up my chrony (F-1 Master Shooting Chrony) on the tripod during live fire I position it right behind the bench I'll be working off of and towards the 50 yard bracket I'll be dropping my target frame into and adjust angle and elevation on the chrony, hook up wires and remote readout, check battery and make sure I'm ready to go. When line break is called I carry the target frame and the chrony/tripod out in each hand and drop the chrony off at ~10' and continue on to set out the target frame. I'll align the chrony to the bench on the return trip and then go to the bench and check chrony alignment on target. I usually have to pop out and make one small adjustment and I'm set in less than 2 minutes. The key is to have chrony, target frame and targets set up at the bench and ready to go before line break.

I also mark my front diffuser rods with a wrap of 1/2" red tape 4" up from the chrony body, it gives you a good visual reference point in aligning everything and when you're shooting through it can help with sight alignment so you don't "harvest" your chrony.

I've been able to both chrony loads and sight in then shoot for groups at both 50 and 100. Just a little practice and planning necessary.

Hope this is useful.
 
I have the Shooting Chrony Beta model.

When I shot the 45ACP with Power Pistol and W231 loads, 12ft worked just fine.

When I shot my 41 Mag Blackhawk with H110 I had about 10% of the shot results would result in "error".

I figure I need to set it out a bit further.

Shooting Chrony's are upgradeable with remote controls, and printers that have remote control functions.

I was able to see the readouts quite easily at distance, and the system is setup to work pretty well independent of user action.

I put it on my camera tripod with a standard camera adapter. I am sure it is quicker to setup with 2 people, one to look from bench, one to adjust.
 
Midway sale Chrony Alpha

www.midwayusa.com has Chony Alpha's on sale $86.99 without the bench readout ( product number 379-302) and the same with the bench readout at $99.99 (306-796)
 
I have a CED whose main feature is the (optional at extra cost) IR illuminator. It gets the readings in all sorts of light. It is rather fiddly to set up though, with a lot of connections that could have been simpler; though maybe not cheaper to build.

I like the laser bore sighter for alignment. I'll look for a cheap one, it only has to shine 12-15 feet.
 
ForneyRider, muzzle blast on the big magnums can cause your issue. Build a "window" to shoot through that will divert those gases. One that I saw was simply a piece of plywood with a cut out in it and a small base. It diverted the "side" gases. But if I were to build one I would not use one piece of plywood at right angles to the line of site as too much gas comes back at the shooter. I'd have a base and angle two pieces of plywood at about 45 degrees to divert the gasses toward the side and away from the shooter. But then I shoot 357's through 45s and don't have the issue.
 
When line break is called I carry the target frame and the chrony/tripod out in each hand and drop the chrony off at ~10' and continue on to set out the target frame. I'll align the chrony to the bench on the return trip and then go to the bench and check chrony alignment on target. I usually have to pop out and make one small adjustment and I'm set in less than 2 minutes.
Click to expand...

This is what I'll have to do as well. In this case it is an outdoor pistol range with fixed target stands at 25 or 50 yards (most people use 25). The shooting-line has one main gate that everybody must file through when going out into the range area. Usually as soon as the last person has returned from setting their target the group calls the line hot again. Wonder how patient they will be if I have to return to my shooting booth, then go back out on the range, and then come back to my booth while they all wait around to call the line hot again. Guess I'll find out.

Is the remote read-out wireless or is there a wire run from the chronograph to the readout?

With regard to the bore sighter I wonder how well that would work on handguns. The rules are the gun needs to be unloaded (of course), the action open, mag removed, and the gun in a positon that is easy to visualy verify that it is unloaded when the range is cold for target change. This would mean I'd need some sort of rest or clamp which held the gun at the approximate height and orientation I would be shooting it at I guess. Might work for revolvers if the clamp/rest allowed the cylinder to be open, but I'm not sure about using a bore sighter in a semi-auto with the slide locked back, seeing as how the barrel has some movement in it.

When shooting handguns through the chronograph do you use a mechanical rest?
 
Pact Mod 1. Just can't be beat for what you want...You will need to furnish your own tripod. Any cheap camera tripod will do...Oh yes...Don't forget to buy the mounting bar too.
 
I have a Chrony Beta Master. It is ok in price and reliability, can't bad mouth it in those two areas, but it could be a little more user friendly. I don't use it daily, and I'm allways looking up some read out in the manual, wish they would have used "plain english" in the readouts instead of pig latin. But if the program would have been deeper it probably would have cost a lot more!
 
Wayne02, Where are you shooting

I'd be happy to let you in our club as a guest so you can shoot and chronograph to your heart's content without one interuption from a range officer or other shooters. Outdoor shootin! 90 minutes north of Seattle.

Like several of the others in this thread, I use a Shootin Chrony. The first model. The remote readout would be nice to have, but it is not a necessity. If I were to buy another, I'd look hard at the PACT, and Shootin Chrony's, with remote readout and memory/computer interface cable and software.

-Steve
 
I just bought a Chrony Master from Midway--instructions say the cable is 18 ft.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
Chronograph tripod question
Replies
14
Views
3K
mgmorden
mgmorden
C
  • Locked
Chronograph Diffusers
Replies
6
Views
4K
Sport45
S
Rule3
  • Locked
I need to get a different Chronograph!
Replies
24
Views
1K
Rule3
Rule3
Poper
Chronographs...
Replies
10
Views
614
jmorris
jmorris
MCMXI
  • Locked
First time using a chronograph ... how did I do?
Replies
9
Views
498
lonewolf83
L
Back
Top