Where to Chronograph

[bbqreloader]

Looking for suggestions on where to chronograph my reloads. Have not bought a chrony yet but would like ideas on where to go to check my rounds. I live in a metro area, so going out to the back 40 is not an option. My local range is indoor and will not let me. There is an outdoor local, still have to contact them. Live in Colo., so any Colo shooters chime in or pm me any info.
Thanks!

 

[spitballer]

I've always used my chrony out of doors, and from what I understand they seem to perform better when used this way. Therefore I'd be inclined to search for an outdoor range online. Touring ranges is also a good way to meet a lot of interesting people, and for me planning a range trip is just as enjoyable as planning a hunt. Good luck to you.

 

[ants]

Best place to use a chronograph: 15 feet from the muzzle. Ha!

If you cannot find a friendly outdoor range, why not a trip to the "back 40". Get some fresh air and good shooting. Put a plan together to test a bunch of loads for both rifle and pistol. Then get away from the city for a half day and have fun out on the prairie!

Be aware that indoor fluorescent lighting doesn't work with many chronographs (the ones with the optical sensors), you need an incandescent light kit for use under fluorescent. Or get a MagnetoSpeed if it fits on your gun; it mounts on a muzzle, so it won't work on some guns (like a handgun with a slide). Or get one of the radar units if your dad has lots of money.

 

[jmorris]

What firearm exactly are you trying to chronograph?

 

[cali_blues]

Depending on what you're trying to chrono, a Magnetospeed might work. I too am stuck with indoor ranges most of the time, and I can use it anywhere. It works with most rifles and railed handguns. It has an iPhone app that allows you to email the results to yourself, which is nice. Check it out.

 

[bbqreloader]

jim, 9mm. 40 and 45. I just want to know what my rounds are doing. I load at the lower end of any data, so a high fps is not the issue, but still would like to know. Did hear back from a local outdoor range, that they do allow the chrony. Will look at the other suggestions.

 

[jmorris]

What about finding a USPSA or IDPA club in your area? Folks that shoot the gun games chrono often, might find it to be fun as well.

 

[Ironicaintit]

Where in colorado? I have a place on the north end of Pueblo with plenty of room to stretch a rifles legs.

 

[klausman]

Check out the Summit County public range, just outside of Dillon. They just rehabbed the place last summer.

http://summitrange.org/

Be safe and happy shooting

 

[Lost Sheep]

Looking for suggestions on where to chronograph my reloads. Have not bought a chrony yet but would like ideas on where to go to check my rounds. I live in a metro area, so going out to the back 40 is not an option. My local range is indoor and will not let me. There is an outdoor local, still have to contact them. Live in Colo., so any Colo shooters chime in or pm me any info.
Thanks!

Have you tried asking the owner or manager if you could come in at day and time when the range is relatively unoccupied?

If you make it worthwhile (bring a box of homemade cookies or offer to let others clock their loads over your instrument). Like if you were to offer to sponsor a "Clock your ammo" hour on a Sunday morning. the range might allow it.

One caveat. Get a chronograph with a remote readout/control. Running downrange to read a velocity or reset the instrument gets tiresome and if you put your chronograph behind a bulletproof shield, so much the better for its safety.

My Master Chrony chronograph sits under a shield comprised of two 11" pieces of channel iron that is heavy enough to take a (n indirect) hit from a 500 Smith & Wesson. My first one died to a center mass hit from a 22 rimfire, so I got a master unit and bought some iron.

Failing that and passing on the Magnetospeed mentioned by Calli Blues, the LabRadar (though pricey and still having problems getting to market sounds perfect for your situaion. It sits on the bench beside the shooter and reads velocity (at up to 5 different distances up to 100 yards) by microwave/radar. I want one, but $500 is too much for me.

Lost Sheep

 

[bbqreloader]

Iron, I'm up in the denver metro area. Found that Cherry Creek will let me in, better on the weekdays. Also looking into forest land that will allow it. Just was on the hunt for somewhere I could set up for a bit.
Lost sheep, great idea, might ask them if they have a down day dring the week to sponsor something like that.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

jim, 9mm. 40 and 45. I just want to know what my rounds are doing. I load at the lower end of any data, so a high fps is not the issue, but still would like to know. Did hear back from a local outdoor range, that they do allow the chrony. Will look at the other suggestions.

I use my chrono at a public outdoor range. The have 50 yard, 100 yard and 200 yard ranges so I set up on the 200 yard range because it's usually empty. I'm glad you found a range you can use the chrono. You are going to be surprised how slow your ammo is going compared to the reported velocities in the books or load data sites.

 

[CCWdownrangeP2]

bbqloader, Try having a cup of coffee at a local café some mornings in the towns E of Denver (Bennett perhaps?) and find out where the locals go out and shoot. There may be many options, not very far, out there on the plains.

 

[splattergun]

I recently bought a MagnetoSpeed, the cheaper Sporter model. I'm happy with the reading results, and especially with how I am able to chrono my loads at any range.
The problem I had with it is the same as all the other MS Sporter owners have, the retainer strap loosens up after a couple shots.

My choices, return it and spend a couple hundred more on the fancier MS3, which does not seem to have this issue, or figure out a fix.
What I ended up doing is I closely examined the cam lock on the strap. I saw that it does not fully engage with the strap unless I push it in tight. I also put a drop of Loktite on the tightener screw. I have only run a half dozen rounds with my 'fixes' in place, but it has not loosened up in those shots, versus coming loose after only 2 or 3 shots before my fix.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Lost sheep, great idea, might ask them if they have a down day dring the week to sponsor something like that.

How great an idea it is may depend on how gregarious you are. But if it flies, potential dividends are that your range may take up the idea to sponsor more membership activites (like having a chrongraph of their own they loan or rent to members or sponsoring informal or formal matches, like a 3-dot shoot etc.) Also, if people like it, you immediately become one of the "insiders" at the range, if that has any appeal to you.

Have fun. And figure out a foolproof way to protect your instrument from stray bullets. My first one died to a friend's errant 22 - and he is a MUCH better shot than I am. Proof that even the improbable is possible.

Lost Sheep

 

[joem1945]

I have the Shooting Chrony and like to use it at the outdoor range. However I usually have to wait a little later in the year when the sun is high to get good readings. I might buy a Magnetospeed for days when the light isn't right or it's raining.

 

[bbqreloader]

CCW, thanks, have some friends who live out that way, may hit them up for some info. Mentioned it to a buddy of mine in Frantown, he has 40acres and wants to set up a burm for shooting, may have found my in

 

[Mel1776]

I clock my loads at Ben Lomond Gun Club near Ramah. Check the web site for facility and membership information.