I'm just getting into "advanced" (to me) rifle reloading. Mostly for semi-auto service rifles (starting in the deep end, I know), but I'm likely to work on some bolt-guns in the foreseeable future.
Basically, I know that I want a chron, and I know what I want it to tell me, and I know that I'm not supposed to shoot it--even though I hear it's so much fun the everyone tries it at least once
. But which one is a good one for the following requirements:
1. I don't want the "brains" in the path of the bullet. I'm a pretty careful guy, but I also know that I'm going to get super-stressed if I actually shoot any of the expensive parts by accident, so I like the idea of the expensive part being close to me on the bench. Plus it's easier to read.
2. I want it to be accurate; or at least accurate enough that I know that if there's some kind of major inconsistent reading(s), it's my fault and I don't have to wonder if the chron is acting up. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and I've seen on some recent threads that some chrons act up if there are other shooters nearby, if they're in the wrong lighting conditions, or other similar issues. I'm ok with buying a chronograph that has some minor issues, so long as they have known and have realistic workarounds.
As an aside, I foresee some unpredictable availability in my hobby time, and plan to mostly shoot outside, so I don't know that I'm going to be in consistent lighting conditions from session to session.
3. I want it to have features that are useful for working up good rifle loads. I don't know what those might be (yet). I've done some semi-detailed homework on how to work up good loads, but I don't know which chrony bells & whistles are worth its, and which aren't. Thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
4. Ideally, I'd be $150 or less, especially for my first one. I don't want to "get the hang of not shooting my chon" on an expensive model. If, however, the answer is that I need to pony up or do without some of my requirements in #1-#3, just let me know.
Anything out there sound like the right product for a guy like me? Am I overthinking this?
Basically, I know that I want a chron, and I know what I want it to tell me, and I know that I'm not supposed to shoot it--even though I hear it's so much fun the everyone tries it at least once
. But which one is a good one for the following requirements:1. I don't want the "brains" in the path of the bullet. I'm a pretty careful guy, but I also know that I'm going to get super-stressed if I actually shoot any of the expensive parts by accident, so I like the idea of the expensive part being close to me on the bench. Plus it's easier to read.
2. I want it to be accurate; or at least accurate enough that I know that if there's some kind of major inconsistent reading(s), it's my fault and I don't have to wonder if the chron is acting up. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and I've seen on some recent threads that some chrons act up if there are other shooters nearby, if they're in the wrong lighting conditions, or other similar issues. I'm ok with buying a chronograph that has some minor issues, so long as they have known and have realistic workarounds.
As an aside, I foresee some unpredictable availability in my hobby time, and plan to mostly shoot outside, so I don't know that I'm going to be in consistent lighting conditions from session to session.
3. I want it to have features that are useful for working up good rifle loads. I don't know what those might be (yet). I've done some semi-detailed homework on how to work up good loads, but I don't know which chrony bells & whistles are worth its, and which aren't. Thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
4. Ideally, I'd be $150 or less, especially for my first one. I don't want to "get the hang of not shooting my chon" on an expensive model. If, however, the answer is that I need to pony up or do without some of my requirements in #1-#3, just let me know.
Anything out there sound like the right product for a guy like me? Am I overthinking this?
