Caldwell Chronograph - Consistency

V

Vwalla

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I just used my Caldwell Chrony a few days ago to test some rounds. I began @ 9:0 AM (facing east) and had very consistent results until about 11AM (full sun...I know...not good).

I did place a diffuser sheet over the light diffusers that came with it (about 16" x 24").

I have heard of some guys coloring their bullets black to help the sensors pickup the round as it goes thru.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I am wiling to build a cover if needed as being in south Texas...its a lot of sunny days.
 
Both my old Chrony and current CED chronographs would go erratic if direct sunlight hit any part of either sensor. Typically this only occured during the middle of the day when the sun was at its highest. Was your diffuser sheet set to completely "shade" both sensors?
 


I don't know if the sun is brighter in South Texas then it is in West Texas but this is what I do to mine. Virtually zero error readings with it any time of day.
I always set my chrono at 12 feet and it works great with .300bo and 5.56. 308 though will sometimes blow the paper off.
 
Chronograph Accuracy Tips – 15 Practical Tips to Increase Accuracy & Reliability.

The above link is a good read on overall chronograph accuracy or uncertainty. Most of the material is stuff I assume most are aware of but there a few good to know things that many may not be aware of. Anyway, for the curious at heart it is a good read.

My chronograph coming in at 3 days older than dirt is an Oehler 35P and while it lacks many of the nice features of today's chronographs it has served me well for over about 25 years now. Today, I like the features allowing interface with a laptop.

Ron
 
Make sure the bullet travels parallel to the sensors, avoid direct sunlight and glare and you should be fine.
 
If it is a bright sun shiny day I will not pull out my Caldwell. I will wait till an overcast day or shoot late in the evening.

I have found the bright day results to be very flaky and will wait for conditions that my chrony likes better.
 
Thanks for all the replies and information. Hopefully I will get an opportunity to run some of these scenarios soon.

Thanks!
 
I still have not had a chance to get out to the range and troubleshoot the chrony, but wanted to see if I could get some feedback on the light kit (IR LED). I was thinking that I could eliminate the lighting variable by placing the Caldwell Chrony in a coffin with the IR LED kit. What are ya'lls thoughts on this? Has anyone ever tried it?

Thanks!
 
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