Chronograph recommendations

F

Falcon642

New member
Looking to get a chronograph to take my reloading to the next level. I don't need anything fancy, just a good easy to use entry level chronograph.

So any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
 
I have used a Master Beta Chrony since 2000 and haven't had any problems with it. It does more than I require but others might want theirs to do more. Don't know anything about other brands. I gave $115 for mine (new). Chrony has some cheaper models and more expensive models. Just depends on what you want it to do.
 
I like the PACT model...but have to admit...I"m on my 2nd set of sky screens. The "diffuser" screens used to help in bright sunlight work well.

I think you'll be surprised at the average velocities you get from your various guns. Most of the time, I've found that manufacturer's published velocities are widely overly optomistic. It's sometimes simply a matter of barrel length, but in many calibers it's just wild advertising claims.

Too, you'll find that shot to shot differences can be up to 100 fps and still give good accuracy out to 300 yds or so, plenty for hunting purposes.

Regards, Rodfac
 
I bought mine a few years ago on ebay for under $100 as best I remember.

It has served my unprofessional needs quite well.
 
Chrony Beta. Get the one with the remote read out and not the one that displays on the machine itself. Theyare under 130 most of the time at Midway, Natchez, Sportsman, Cabela's etc.

Bill
 
I like my CED Millenium. B'day gift from my most understanding and supportive wife several years ago.

Extremely quick and easy to set up. Get a cheap Wally World tripod for the screens and it's good to go in under three minutes. Power for both chrono and screens is a single 9V battery, and they last a long time.

The display is large and very easy to see and read, even in bright sunlight. Lots of memory capacity and most all data functions need only one keystroke to access. I especially like that the only part of the set up that's ever in front of a muzzle are the screens. Replacement parts for those are inexpensive. On some other brands the chronograph itself is out there on the tripod with them. Not only does that make the displayed data tough to read sometimes, it also means that one errant round has the potential to turn your entire unit into "instant junk".

The current model has even more memory and data functions than mine, plus USB connection for data transfer to a PC. Software is included.

CED is also the only outfit I'm aware of that offers optional infrared screens for low light/indoor range use. Comes in very handy on overcast days.
 
A printer is needed with a chronograph?

I simply write down the readings on a sheet of paper. I guess that's old school now days.
 
Competition Electronics ProChrono

I've had six chronographs over the last 25 years. The first was an Oehler that required turning dials and cross referencing results against a table to figure out velocity. After several sets of sky screens sent to the happy hunting grounds, it was replaced with a Chrony.

I've had 3 different Chrony's all of which died of lead poisening. I was never satisfied with the Chrony's (errors, false readings, no readings, etc.) I tried everything -- send the chrony back to manufacture and even built a special box to prevent direct sunlight from hitting the screens -- all with the same frustrating results.

After the last Chrony bit the dust, I replaced it with a Competition Electronics ProChrono and have been totally satisfied. I'm on my second one (that old lead poisening thing again).

A couple of things to remember when using your chrono.

1. Make sure that the muzzle is at least 5 long paces from the front of the Chrono.

2. Make sure you have fresh batteries in the unit.

3. Try to avoid direct overhead sunlight (overcast days have always worked best for me). Morning/Afternoons also work -- although the Competion Electrons ProChro seems to work reliably in all day light situations.

FWIW,

Paul
 
The first was an Oehler that required turning dials and cross referencing results against a table to figure out velocity
Click to expand...

The Oehler is the gold standard for chronographs, I don't know what they were like 25 years ago, but the one I bought about 8 years is simple to operate.

At the time I bought mine Oehler was the only one with a real ink printer, not a cheap thermal printer. It also has a third check screen the checks and verifies results

I didn't bring up Oehler when the thread started because the OP was looking for an inexpensive one and Oehler is probably the most expensive. I just chimed in now to say that the newer ones don't have complicated dials

This was copied from their web site, it doesn't get more simple than this


Professional statisticians have long preferred standard deviation as the best measure of uniformity. We admit, standard deviation is a dog to compute. That's why Oehler chronographs compute it automatically.


The Model 35 comes with a 30 page instruction book expanding on these condensed instructions. It's simple to use.

Mount the two primary skyscreens at the ends of the rail with the proof skyscreen at the middle.
Place the skyscreens approximately 10' in front of the gun. Position so that a shot aimed at the target will pass through the center of the skyscreen windows.
Plug skyscreen cables into the M35. Plugging in the start cable turns on the system. Push reset button until you see 0.
Fire through skyscreen windows. The shot number and then primary velocity will be displayed. (The M35P automatically prints proof velocity, shot number, and primary velocity.)
If the PROOF CHANNEL detects an error, the display flashes and an asterisk is printed. Use the OMIT button to erase any velocity that you suspect is incorrect. Fire additional shots as desired.
You may use the EDIT and STEP buttons to replay the entire shot string. You may OMIT undesired readings as you replay the shots.
Push the SUMMARY button to summarize the group. Display and printer will show high, low, extreme spread, average or mean, and standard deviation for primary channel.
Fire more shots to add to the same group, or push the RESET button to start a new group

After several sets of sky screens sent to the happy hunting grounds, it was replaced with a Chrony.
Click to expand...

I don't understand the comment about sky screens, it has nothing to do with the quality of the chronograph. If your aim is off you are going to destroy the screen regardless of the make chronograph you are using.

They just started production, the new unit is the same as the one they stopped making, they just added a carrying case again selling for $575 + $20 shipping

I called the factory to buy a case because mine did not come with the case. I was told they didn't sell cases and was told were to order one.

I also asked why they stopped making then and started back again. he told me that they were having problems obtaining quality printers and would rather not make them at all then to sell them with a cheap printer

I firmly believe that only rich people can afford to buy cheap toll. Buy cheap and you will keep buying over and over to replace a poor quality tool. Oehler stands by their product, They won't replace a unit you shot but they will fix units that were not damaged by poor shooting.

A chronograph should be a once in a lifetime purchase so why not buy quality so you don't have to buy another one?

============================

Short endorsements quoted in advertisements can be misleading. Beginning in 1967, Oehler systems have become the official chronographs of uncounted competitions and laboratories. Most of the commercial and military ammo made in the U. S. during the last twenty years was checked with Oehler systems before it left the factory. The U.S. arsenal loading military small-arms ammo uses ten Oehler System 82 units in the proof house, and they use a Model 35P to verify the set-ups of the large systems . Regular use by those who recognize the best is the truest endorsement!

This was copied and pasted from their web site

The PROOF CHANNEL uses three skyscreens and two timers to make two velocity measurements on each shot. The Model 35 measures two velocities on each shot, it automatically compares the two readings, and it waves a flag if they don't agree within reasonable limits.

If you haven't used a chronograph before, the PROOF CHANNEL sounds unnecessary. If you have used a chronograph, you've certainly questioned some readings. Glaring high or low readings are easy to discard, but readings within five or ten percent of expected velocity are not easy to confirm or deny. The important question is, "Do I have reason to be concerned about my load, or did the chronograph make an error?" The PROOF CHANNEL tells you immediately if the chronograph reading is suspect. You can trust a friend who honestly says, "Oops, I might have goofed on that one."

You can get superior accuracy at the higher rifle velocities by using a 4' rail. We now include a 4' mounting rail with each Model 35. This rail is mounted on two folding stands and works for archery, airguns, handguns, shotguns and rifles. Our simple rail starts life as a piece of ½ inch EMT electrical conduit. We add three precisely located dimples to hold three skyscreens. When you tighten the single ¼"-20 mounting screw of each skyscreen into its own dimple, your screen spacing is precise. You need no tools at the range.

For years other manufacturers ridiculed our use of diffusers; now even the most vocal critics suggest diffusers and sell their own. We've gone a step farther and have improved ours for even better performance.

The new diffuser's special blaze orange material provides the highest sensitivity with early and late light. The translucent material tames the brightest noonday sun while the wide roof protects the lens from glare caused by mid-day sun. The diffuser doesn't flutter in the wind and it easily absorbs the muzzle blast of big guns. (You may have to tie them down, but they tolerate .50 BMG without problems.) The molded polycarbonate parts will withstand practically any abuse except a direct bullet hit. Still, the side rails flex to protect your skyscreens if your mounting rail takes a tumble. Each diffuser assembly is made of three interlocking parts that store compactly and mount easily. There's no metal to rust or kink and there's no glue to fail.
 
No indictment of the Oehler (agree it is the Gold Standard), just trying to illustrate how the personal chronograph has benefited form advances in electronics.

The original Oehler I had wasn't expensive at the time. I was under the impression that Oehler was no longer selling to the public. It is good to know that has recently changed. As you mentioned, from a cost perspective, the 35P probably isn't the unit for a first timer.

The Sky Screen comment was ment to communicate that eventually (more often in my case) you will put a bullet thru a stand alone chrono (or sky screen(s)). Actually, the sky screens are cheaper to replace vs. the entire unit.

Paul
 
I was under the impression that Oehler was no longer selling to the public.
Click to expand...

You were correct. I talked to someone at the factory and they made a choice the stop making them rather than make a unit that wasn't not up to their standards of quality.

After they found a manufacture that was able to produce printers / calculators up to their standards they resumed production
 
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