Chronograph

[Alabama2010]

Ok, so my next purchase will be a chronograph. I have a couple of quick questions...

Are there one or more particular brands that have a solid reputation?

Am I correct in thinking you shoot under the cross-strap things, or do you shoot over the chrono?

How far back from it do you shoot?

Is there a good tutorial somewhere that I can read up on this?

Thanks

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Are there one or more particular brands that have a solid reputation? Competition Electronics Pro Chrono Digital, I've had 2 now (shot the first one), no problems with either one.

Am I correct in thinking you shoot under the cross-strap things, or do you shoot over the chrono? Yes...under the diffusers, but over the chrono itself.

How far back from it do you shoot?
At least 10 feet...

Is there a good tutorial somewhere that I can read up on this? None that I am aware of.

My answers in red.

 

[Presto]

I second all of Ridgerunner's answers. The CED Pro Chrono Digital is a great little unit, and accurate as any I've used. The only problem I've had is that it looses a substantial amount of accuracy and reliability when shot with a 200gr .45cal bullet! I think that must be a serious design flaw.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Yep...it doesn't fare much better when hit with a 230 grain XTP either.

 

[JimKirk]

http://pact.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=69

I used one like this for almost 40 years now.

The Eyes are separate from the control box, so WHEN you shoot it and you will, it cost a lot less to fix than the all in one boxes.

A true quote from the link!

The advantage of using skyscreens over the little throw away down-range-box chronographs is that the chronograph itself sits safely next to you, where you can easily read the display and operate the controls. And of course when your buddy (never you) misses and hits a skyscreen, it can be repaired for a few dollars by simply replacing the damaged plastic pieces.

Jimmy K

 

[JimKirk]

This is a nice Chrono too, If I changed brands it would be to this one:

http://www.cedhk.com/shop/products/CED-M2-Chronograph-Set.html

Jimmy K

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Some advice: you don't need to use diffusers on an overcast day. Sometimes they affect the ability of the sensors to "see" the bullet and you'll get erroneous measurements. When I use my chronograph without the diffusers I still install the diffuser support rods to define the area where I have to shoot my bullets through.

Good luck!

 

[twofifty]

To avoid shooting the chrono, set up a target downrange that you can use as a constant point of aim. This way, the bullets will safely and consistently pass over the chrono's sweet spot.

 

[snuffy]

To avoid shooting the chrono, set up a target downrange that you can use as a constant point of aim. This way, the bullets will safely and consistently pass over the chrono's sweet spot.

I can't imagine NOT shooting at a target while chronographing a load. Why would you NOT want to also see how the load groups?

The beauty of the "electric eye" chronographs is the ability to see groups while testing velocity. They're called screens because the original chrono's actually had metal wires that the bullet had to pass through to activate the clock,(start screen), that counted the clicks while the bullet was between the screens. The bullet then clipped the stop screen that stopped the clock. All it did was read out a series of numbers that had to be converted to velocity for each shot. You couldn't see through the screens to be able to aim at a target, all you were doing was getting the velocity.

The "clocks" inside a chronograph are actually a high frequency oscillator. The beats or pulses while the bullet is between the start and stop screens is converted into velocity. Modern chronos do other things with that number including ES, extreme spread, average, Highest and lowest velocity AD, average deviation and others.

Magnum pistols and especially some magnum rifles need to be back 15 feet from the start screen. This allows the muzzle blast to dissipate so it doesn't interfere with the start screen, creating false starts and erroneous readings.

 

[cheygriz]

When buying a chrono, you only need to remember one name: Oehler!

Compared to Oehler, everything else pales in comparison. I've been using them for 30+ years. b

www.oehler-research.com

 

[snuffy]

When buying a chrono, you only need to remember one name: Oehler!

Yeah, IF you can find a used one! Since they no longer sell new ones.

 

[Walkalong]

I can't imagine NOT shooting at a target while chronographing a load. Why would you NOT want to also see how the load groups?

Yep. 90% of the time or better I shoot at a target through the chrono. I use a Competition Electronics Pro Digital unit and like it a lot.

 

[1SOW]

CED Pro Chrono Digital.

10' with a handgun. They come with instructions. My 9 pump BB gun runs 600'/min

Very good bang for the buck......

 

[NCsmitty]

The Competition Electronics Pro Digital does a great job for me.
If you take the time to setup properly, you'll reduce the chance of putting a slug through the chronograph.
I like to set up at a minimum of 15' for the reasons snuffy mentioned.



NCsmitty

 

[snuffy]

10' with a handgun. They come with instructions. My 9 pump BB gun runs 600'/min

Heck, I can run 600 ft in a minute, and I'm 64 YO!

 

[Alabama2010]

Heck, I can run 600 ft in a minute, and I'm 64 YO!

Too bad our elementary school through high school aged kids can't do that...

 

[metalax]

Hi, I’m getting ready to buy my first chronograph to start testing my own custom loads. All the feed back here has been helped but my state and region has a somewhat unique environment. I live in the beautiful state of WA and we have our own weather and light conditions. As you may know we get a lot of rain here and many more days of cloudy overcast skies. I’m pretty sure I want/need an IR compatible system. Any info on relation to weather and testing would be appreciated; I am assuming rain would interfere with even IR screens. I have a pistol range on my property but I suppose I will need to build a cover for the chronograph.
Thanks mAx
I’m looking @

The Pact Professional XP Chronograph with IR

or
CED M2 Chronograph with IR

 

[qajaq59]

You might try this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01PbHN1enTM I didn't watch it but it may be worth a try?

 

[cheygriz]

Snuffy,

Thanks for the "heads up." I never realized they weren';t selling them anymore.
what a pity!
They were the best of the best!

 

[snuffy]

Cheygrizz, I just saw this link on the AR forum;

http://www.accurateshooter.com/forum/index.php/topic,3746060.0.html

Apparently Oehler is making a special run of the model 35P this summer. It's even on the website you linked to. Looks like they're not going into full production, just making a special run.

If anyone really wants one, $575.00 is a lot of money, but you'd be able to say you got a NEW 35P Oehler.

 

[ranger335v]

Yep, the 35P is back, for awhile anyway.

I have an old PACT Pro. IF I were to buy a new one today it would be the PACT XP, it's just a more polished version of the Pro.

 

[bullseye308]

Whatever model you get, take the metal rods to the local home center and get wooden dowels the same size. Do not install the metel rods, hang them on the wall and show them off to your friends. Keep count of your rounds as that is how many rounds the metal rods have survived. Buy a spare dowell to keep on hand for replacement parts. Bring at least one with you to the range "just in case". Write down the contact number for the warranty dept and keep it with you, you never know when you may need to call. :banghead:

 

[otblue]

I have a Pact Pro, a Pro Digital and access to a CED.

The Pro Digital is the one I use most often.

 

[Rokman]

I bought a Pact Pro and it died on me on the first outing, so I took it back. I have been thinking about buying a CED.

 

[bluewater]

I've had several chronographs and compared velocities by shooting through two at a time. The best one I've found for function and price is the shooting chrony.

http://www.shootingchrony.com/