What chronograph are you using?

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   Looking at getting a chronograph, as I no longer trust my ears to determine MV...
Just curious as to what you guys are using and the pros and cons.  I'd like a labradar but those guys are real proud of their products.  I've read that magneto-type chrono are the most accurate and less problematic but can alter POI (doubt that would be an issue in load development).

I like to get multiple sources of feedback, so throwing this one out there...

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Mayhem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 06 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 335	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mayhem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: What chronograph are you using? Posted: January 07 2024 at 7:57pm
	Looking at getting a chronograph, as I no longer trust my ears to determine MV... Just curious as to what you guys are using and the pros and cons. I'd like a labradar but those guys are real proud of their products. I've read that magneto-type chrono are the most accurate and less problematic but can alter POI (doubt that would be an issue in load development). I like to get multiple sources of feedback, so throwing this one out there...
	.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: January 08 2024 at 4:12am
	Mine is a Shooting Chrony. I rarely use it anymore because it has to be set up forward of the firing line and that’s not permitted at the range I usually shoot at. Most guys use the Magnetospeed. I suspect it will somewhat alter the barrel harmonics, but I did not notice any affect at 200 yards with my AR-15 Service Rifle. I tried using my friends Magnetospeed on my No. 4 but wasn’t able to get it to register bullet velocity. There are spacers to get it to sit below the bore at just the right distance and I didn’t have time to mess with it. The tapered forend might have been the problem, so may need a shim to get the sensor parallel to the bore. I’m sure it could be made to work.

mattri Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: December 25 2023 Location: iowa Status: Offline Points: 61	Post Options Post Reply Quote mattri Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: January 08 2024 at 7:44am
	+1 on the shooting chrony. It's pretty inexpensive and easy to set up. Britrifles makes a good point about certain ranges not allowing them but other than that I've had no issues.

Zed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Special Member Donating Member Joined: May 01 2012 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 6460	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zed Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: January 08 2024 at 11:22am
	I also have the Shooting Chrony. Possibly not the most accurate, when compared with the more expensive systems. But it seems suitable for my needs. With all the other variables using these old rifles; I think it's accurate enough.
	It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: January 08 2024 at 11:22am
	I have the Shooting Chrony "Beta Master". They made (note past tense) several versions. this one has the line printer, multiple memories & so on. It has the big advantage that the electronics are not downrange in the sky-screens box! The only bad thing I have found about them us that the metal "legs" for the sky screens are way to strong. a bullet impact on one will wreck the box as they're blasted out of it. I simply cut them about 1/2" up from the box & join the rest with a them with 3" sections of drinking straw! This creates a weak spot that prevent that happening They're out of business now but you might find a used one. One thing I did discover researching for one is to be careful with those that attach to your barrel! Rifles with wood to the muzzle like the Enfields have trouble aligning them because the design assumes a bare barrel!
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Mayhem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 06 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 335	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mayhem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 08 2024 at 3:37pm
	Thanks everyone for the comments. I had wondered about the mounting alignment on the magneto ones and had assumed that the shim packs would be able to rectify that. I note that a new bluetooth enabled light sensor chronograph with data logging is available here for what the second hand magneto style ones are going for. I've always been concerned about shooting the crap out of one!
	.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

HammerDown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: December 08 2023 Location: PRK Status: Offline Points: 93	Post Options Post Reply Quote HammerDown Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: January 08 2024 at 4:10pm
	I have been using LabRadar for the last couple of years. It sits right on the bench next to the rifle, no wires, tripod setup or screens to shoot through. It's easy to aim and I can engage targets at 600 yards while gathering data. There are plenty of LabRadars on the used market now due to the introduction of the new Garmin chronograph. Check the Facebook LabRadar group that has for sale listings almost daily.

Mayhem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 06 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 335	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mayhem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 08 2024 at 5:13pm
	I'm assuming that "PRK" is that long, skinny state on the south-west coast of the US that is one major earthquake from becoming an island? I'm in Australia and there doesn't seem to be too many on the second-hand market at the moment and when they are, they are still quite pricey. A SH Labradar was my initial search point and I then worked out from there. I don't do social media but I wonder if any SH units on FB are from downunder.
	.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: January 09 2024 at 3:00pm
	You are correct, sir! ConservSpeak for "Peoples Republik Of Kaliforniastan"! If on "marketplace" on FarceBook then they should list a location & ship/no ship /pickup only info. Most chronos that use downrange components intentionally make them minimal & inexpensive, all the Heavy hitting is done in the base unit on the bench. One reason why I pocked the Beta master, its screens are minimal. The only real problem is the rods as mentioned earlier. I had someone blow my entire downrange setup to pieces with idiotic rapid fire on a chronograph. Replacement cost was under US$ 20.oo
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

HammerDown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: December 08 2023 Location: PRK Status: Offline Points: 93	Post Options Post Reply Quote HammerDown Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 09 2024 at 4:20pm
	Yes, I am smack dab in the middle of the Condor Preservation Zone! There are a couple second hand LabRadars on Snipers Hide in the classified section. Maybe you could find one there. I have my old Competitive Edge Dynamics M2 Chronograph that I could part with but, shipping would be cost prohibitive.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 09 2024 at 4:31pm
	I was thinking the same with my Chrony. Shipping to & from Oz is a bear. Customs too, they'll hammer you to just let it into the country. I got a single screw from someone I contacted there for a Central Target Sight on Shooting Australia, the shipping & import were more than the price of the screw!
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Mayhem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 06 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 335	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mayhem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 09 2024 at 5:28pm
	I tend to buy stuff in the US and then bring it back with me when I visit. I am usually there once a year. Does anyone have experience with this particular unit? https://www.db-shootingsupplies.com.au/ce-prochrono-dlx
	.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: January 10 2024 at 10:51am
	They had a few good write ups & have been around for awhile. My main issue would be everything downrange & so vulnerable to a bullet strike. To be fair I've never actually had one with either of my chronographs in probably 20 years of firing over them. I did once (first & last time) let someone else check velocity, he was an FBI firearms instructor. So I assumed he was competent. I'm still (5years later)awaiting the replacement he guaranteed me after he destroyed mine utterly.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)

Stumpkiller Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: April 03 2020 Location: Port Crane, NY Status: Offline Points: 258	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stumpkiller Report Post Thanks(2) Quote Reply Posted: January 10 2024 at 5:24pm
	I'm very happy with my Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX. Pretty easy to use and has Bluetooth so it is easy to read and save data on my iPad or iPhone. For giggles I checked my Daisy Red Ryder. Very consistant 350 fps. ;-)
	Charlie P. Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.

OldManMontgomery Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: September 12 2016 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 23	Post Options Post Reply Quote OldManMontgomery Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 20 2024 at 2:17pm
	The Chrony is my favorite chronograph. It had everything I wanted and used and little or none of what I didn't use. They are out of business. There are some on eBay, and some advertised on various sites, but those are all left overs and I doubt if support exists. What I use currently is the Caldwell chronograph that is set up with lights for minimal light shooting. Mine still works (one of the other posters sounded less than ecstatic about the one he had) and I've had mine over a year, maybe two. I had a CED chronograph, it worked well but one had to replace the electric eye 'readers' that operated the 'start' and 'stop' of the bullet movement rather often. I had a LabRadar unit and it worked great for some time and then it didn't. I called them and whoever I talked to told me they always worked and I was wrong. Not impressed. So, you now know about what I do on the subject. Maybe I'm a jinx.
	I am always ready to learn. I do not always appreciate being taught.

Shamu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Logo Designer / Donating Member Joined: April 25 2007 Location: MD, USA. Status: Offline Points: 20510	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shamu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 20 2024 at 3:59pm
	I actually rigged battery-powered LED strips to the original Chrony sky-screens! Like you say I doubt there's any support for them though. I haven't shot a sky screen, ever, so I'll just keep using the thing till something happens & then look at what's available for how much then.
	Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)