Thinking about a chrono . . .

[MrPhil]

I'm to the point where I'd like to get some velocity data AND would like a timer to help practice sessions. The Pact MkIV is a nice multi-function timer with a basic chrono function. A buddy of mine said to get the factory sky screen bracket so spacing is precise. That makes sense. I have never used any kind of chrono and would like to hear from some experienced folks. What do you think?
Thanks,
Phil

 

[P95Carry]

Phil ..... some guys here use quite ''up market'' devices but - let me say just from my experience .... my F1 Shooting Chrony and a printer do me just great. They do do an ''all-in-one'' version which does about everything . ''Master Chrony'' I think but .. my combination does well.

The printer provides the ''math brains'' and gives me a print out of a string when I have finished it - giving the usual figures ..... all speeds, hi and lo .. and average. Spread and std deviation.

Forget current pricing for the two - but .. might be about $150 to $175 - would have to check. Daresay plenty of other good stuff around too of course.

 

[dakotasin]

i use a competition electronics pro-chrono. very happy w/ it, never had any troubles getting it to do what it is supposed to do.

no idea what to tell you for a timer, though.

 

[stans]

I have an old Chrony F1, no options, just a read out of velocity. It has been reliable as long as I keep a reasonably fresh battery in it.

 

[zeke]

Chrony F1, with the remote digital readout. Accurate, inexpensive and cheap to replace when the inevitable happens.

Am currently on my second one.

 

[Black Snowman]

I have the standard Chrony F1. Thinking about getting a remote and maybe a printer too. Nice thing about it is I could start with the basic and add the remote and printer later. Helps cut down the initial investment.

The velocity data is very useful in load development. For instance. I was testing two 9mm loads the other day. Both identical except for the charge. One was near-max, the other max. The max load had more consistant velocity, but it wasn't any faster on average than the near-max load and the accuracy was terrible.

The "good" load was very good by the way. 124 gr Rainier HP seated to 1.080 in mixed brass with 7.1 gr of AA #7 and a CCI small pistol primer. ~1000 FPS and great accuracy. I'm going to see if the same recipie works with the 124 gr Rainier round noses. I'm hoping the slight differance in case capacity w/o the hollow point doesn't ruin the "majic" on this one.

 

[Gunrunner]

I've been using a Chrony Beta for about 11 years now. It doesn't have any bells or whistles, but has been very reliable.

If you reload your ammo a chrono is one of the best "tools" you can have.

 

[halvey]

Are there any chrono's that have computer software so you can just dump the data into say an excel spreadsheet? CED maybe?

 

[Johnny Guest]

Not the least expensive, but - -

I've been very pleased with an Oehler 43. Wish I'd paid the extra for the integral printer, though.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Ktulu]

I have a Shooting Chrony Beta Master that seems to work well. For me a chrono is a absolute must.

 

[lvl1trauma]

I used to have a Pact PC2 and loved it- didn't know what I had until someone stole it. I got an Oehler 35 for christmas a year or so ago and hate it. It is not nearly as user friendly as the Pact and has a really cheezy skyscreen miounting bracket setup. Most recently one even broke. It won't pick up my .22/250 in bright sunlight. I called Oehler- they said I had too much sun and for me to take a black magic marker and coat my bullets. What a half assed reply. Yes I did it and no it doesn't work either.
Been there, done that- stick with Pact. I have also heard the CED is really good too, but I don't have any first- hand experience with it. My next one will definetely be another Pact.

Beau

 

[BSlacker]

I have the CED. It has worked in the rain and even blown over a few times. You can download to a PC using notebook and edit and add to the data. The electronics in front of the muzzle are cheap just in case. It has a good indoor lighting setup. Downside is the long wires it uses. Get the case it has a place on the side for a tripod. Get a big tripod.

 

[Deavis]

My girlfriend got all my buddies to chip in and got me the new Pact XP chronograph. It took a little while to get it but I'm really please with how it works. I shot quite a few loads over it (9mm, .40s&W, and .45) without it missing a single shot. They are supposed to release software to dump the data to your PC and the integral printer is really great. I was especially pleased to see my FPS spread was way less than factory ammo. Turns out I'm doing something right after all! It is compact, looks nice, and works well so far.