Does anyone use one of these??
Are they accurate?

Yup....great tool!....they claim accurate to 5%

I've got a very old one about twenty years old or so. still works.
Advice.
You'll hear people complain that this chrono is hard to set up that chrono is not accurate. BS they all are sensitive to light and in some lighting conditions the $700 chronos don't work either.

You are using light to measure a bullets speed. Do you think if the lighting is not ideal you'll get consistent readings??
So buy what you can afford Don't worry about the bells and whistles and 5% of 3000 fps is 150 FPS not to bad for $100

.

Error !!

The Chrony is accurate to within 0.5%

or 99.5% accurate.

That's a 15 fps error + or - at 3,000 fps.

Insignificant....


I use one and it rarely fails to record.

Excellent value on this item. Just be careful
and don't shoot it !

dxr

.

Dxr that is what happened to my last Chrony,I nicked it a couple of times but a friend borrowed it and put a 338 225 gr partition right through it and didn't think he should have replaced it since I nicked it twice.
I have a new one and it doesn't get loaned out to anyone.
Works great and a super tool to work up a load that is both accurate and has enough velocity.

When you shoot a Chrony they will take it
in trade on another rebuilt unit.
I won't say how I know that.
Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by doctorxring:
.

Error !!

The Chrony is accurate to within 0.5%

or 99.5% accurate.

That's a 15 fps error + or - at 3,000 fps.

Insignificant....


I use one and it rarely fails to record.

Excellent value on this item. Just be careful
and don't shoot it !

dxr

.

Ya know I though that was a bit high. I should have looked at mine.

I have a pact. I wouldn't part with it unless I was buying a new one.

quote:

Originally posted by 33806whelen:
I have a pact. I wouldn't part with it unless I was buying a new one.

I'm going to get one as well but heard some not so good things most I think do to the guy not knowing how to set the chrono up or not realizing that more light is not better.

I have a Chrony and it works well...except under certain light conditions. The range where I use it faces west and I usually go just before sunrise so I can be the only one there and because that's usually the least windy time of day here in SE NM. It will not read for a period of about 15 minutes right as the sun begins to rise...when the light is traveling almost parallel to the bullet line of flight. That may be true of all chronographs, but I've only used the Chrony.

Using a 25/06 the following data is from my chrony and a friend's old CED. Both were in line so measured the same bullet, his was about 3 ft in front of mine. Trying to direct a shot through 2x chronographs takes all focus away from accuracy. If you take a couple of low velocity's away (2544 & 2588)the results are very similar - this was probably due to changing light conditions and the unrecorded shots due to having the chronograph to close.

Average 2751 2693
SD 31.88 79.76
SE 14.26 28.20
Range 89.00 205.00
Min 2708 2544
Max 2797 2749
Number 5 8
Energy 1967 1884

2797 2544
2747 2745
2758 2588
2745 2721
2708 2726
2726
2749
2743


Below another attempt with a 7x57 this time the bullets are registering faster on the second chronograph!

Average 2697 2737
SD 12.31 20.96
SE 6.16 6.63
Range 26.00 84.00
Min 2688 2688
Max 2714 2772
Number 4 10
Energy 2246 2313
2714 2732
2688 2732
2699 2743
2688 2732
2688
2737
2743
2772
2743
2749

Lincs Stalker it looks like you found similar results to what I found a while back.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/...rch=true#Post1460774

quote:

Originally posted by ACRecurve:
I have a Chrony and it works well...except under certain light conditions. The range where I use it faces west and I usually go just before sunrise so I can be the only one there and because that's usually the least windy time of day here in SE NM. It will not read for a period of about 15 minutes right as the sun begins to rise...when the light is traveling almost parallel to the bullet line of flight. That may be true of all chronographs, but I've only used the Chrony.

I have a Chrony Alpha Master. I've also had an odd problem with the reading as a tree shadowed the set-up late in evening. Otherwise, I like it - Measures 22LR to 270 Win velocities repeatably. I still have some factory rounds of both calibers from when I first got it that I use as a standard/check.

An important tool in reloading safely and knowing about what you shoot.I have an Oehler and I am more than happy with it.

quote:

a friend borrowed it and put a 338 225 gr partition right through it and didn't think he should have replaced it

I hope your "friend" got smarter or that you can find a better class of friends. HE blew it away, not you!

I have a Chrony Beta Master, it's fun to see how fast my reloads are going.

I even used it last week to get the velocities of some rubber bullets I was fooling around with.

I attach it to a camera tripod and shoot over it at the target. This is my second one, my 45/70 did a number on the first one. I forgot to shoot "high" with a scope, the 400 gr bullet hit the chrony - dead center! That thing rolled for at least 100 ft - tore up the top of the tripod, too. I won't make that mistake again (knock on wood). I'm pretty sure the warranty doesn't cover a 45/70 direct hit.

Mine doesn't print (the Alpha Master does a lot with the data and will print, but you have to buy a separate chrony printer for it), with my Beta Master I just write down the velocities as I shoot.

I don't have to turn it off and on between shots, every new shoot replaces the old one.

Here it is at Midway - on sale.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eprod...ct?saleitemid=244882

Hack

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C. <><:

quote:

a friend borrowed it and put a 338 225 gr partition right through it and didn't think he should have replaced it

I hope your "friend" got smarter or that you can find a better class of friends. HE blew it away, not you!

And just why did he figure he shouldn't have to replace it?

Hack

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C. <><:

quote:

a friend borrowed it and put a 338 225 gr partition right through it and didn't think he should have replaced it

I hope your "friend" got smarter or that you can find a better class of friends. HE blew it away, not you!

One reason I don't loan tools to anyone I don't trust 100%.
I had a buddy that felt that if he loaned something out he was responsible because he was the one that loaned it out.
I feel that if something is loaned to you, you better bring it back with little more then normal wear and tear or bring back a new one in the box to replace the one you broke. Or right a check. That would be the last time he ever asked me for anything.

Lighting is critical. In order to detect the passage of a bullet, the background MUST be diffuse light. Cloudy day, no skyscreens needed. Clear skies, even bright, you need those skyscreens. Be glad this is not 30 years ago when chronographs were 5 times this price and used pieces of paper with wired embedded. You could not see the target and had to replace the screens all the time.

Mine chronograph wears armor now. The channel iron will bounce a 535 grain full power .500 S&W (at a low angle). Cost $50. Cheap insurance for my $100 Chrony. No renewal premiums.

This thread starts out with pictures of a Chrony that had been dismantled by a 405 grain 45-70 bullet travelling about 1700 fps.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...=2511043&m=446105658

Look for my post there.


Lost Sheep

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
An important tool in reloading safely ....

Nope, has nothing at all to do with Safety. Only tells Velocity and quite often they don't even do that.

Any chronograph is a total waste of money.

Best of luck to you.

I use mine to see which powder is producing what velocity.

I don't really see my chrony having a big impact on safety - unless it's velocities imply excessive pressures in reloads.

I know that two manuals rarely agree on the amount of powder to charge (that's why I use four). I have a manual (Speer, p502) that gives min, 4.5 gr and max, 5.0 for 124 gr 9mm. So if you drop in 4.7 you're in the middle range.

But, I have another manual (Lyman 49, p 341) that gives min, 4.0 and max, 4.5. By that manual my 4.7 gr charge is above max - so which one do I believe. I suspect that the "low one" has a lot to do with not getting sued, even though all manuals have a disclaimer about using their data. I would also wonder if 4.0 gr would be enough the cycle the slide.

In this case, it would be interesting to see the velocity of the 4.7 reload, to see if pressure was or wasn't excessive - for your safety

Hack

DLH4570 ----- I use one extensively and have for years, mainly to give me a quick answer as to speed of a new load. They prove the manuals to be funny papers that are accurate to start your loading, but after that it is up to you and you chronograph. Yes, you can get there without one, but it takes much longer and much more shooting. I have worn out two Chronys, a Gamma and a Beta. I now use an Oehler 35P exclusively and am quite impressed with it's accuracy, however an average of several sessions is required for final conclusions. Heavy use of the chonograph tells you when you might get data that is out of kelter, like low light, bright slanted light rays, etc. At the end of the load development they can confirm for you what the load is doing, but it is always good to further back up that with actual field testing. All of my shooting buddies who do not have a Chronograph come to me to see what their speeds are before going hunting. Good luck and good shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
An important tool in reloading safely ....

Nope, has nothing at all to do with Safety. Only tells Velocity and quite often they don't even do that.

Any chronograph is a total waste of money.

Best of luck to you.

Your new nick name is double charge joe. Nit witt.
So what Let me guess you measure pressure with a strain gage???

quote:

I feel that if something is loaned to you, you better bring it back with little more then normal wear and tear or bring back a new one in the box to replace the one you broke. Or right a check. That would be the last time he ever asked me for anything.

My feeling, and practice, exactly. If I borrow anything it's my duty to return it no worse for the wear or replace it. Done it too.

Wonder ... wonder, if intelligent people could have reasonable differences of opinion without stooping to mindless name calling as a substitute for logic?

quote:

Wonder ... wonder, if intelligent people could have reasonable differences of opinion without stooping to mindless name calling as a substitute for logic?

I was just felling lazzy

I have my Chrony for 15 years, and I use it every time I work up a new load, it gets alot of use. It seems to be accurate and for the price it hasn't let me down. It's great for your balistic program because we all know the book velocities are a bunch of you know what. The real test is shooting at distance and knowing the drop and windage compensations, this to me at least puts me in the ball park when tested at longer ranges when some sort of compensation is required. For 100 bucks you can't go wrong and when you go to your range all your buds are going to want to see how fast or slow their firearm or bow is shooting. I thinks it's a useful tool and alot of fun, I would buy another if I needed to. Have fun, be carefull and good shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C. <><:
...Wonder ... wonder, if intelligent people could have reasonable differences of opinion without stooping to mindless name calling as a substitute for logic?

Hey Jim, I'd say "intelligent" people can.

Good Hunting and clean 1-shot Kills.

Hot Core

Damned near choked on a donut reading your comments. Just goes to you don't learn and continue to stick your foot in your own mouth. At least I only stick donuts in mine

Larry Gibson

If you put the most expensive chrono in series with the cheapest, they will both be so close, that it is down in the noise compared to the shot to shot variation.

But that does not mean you don't get more for more money.

Due to my poor pistol marksmanship, I am on my 4th chronograph.

In my experience, the two Pro Chronos at $100 are much better at triggering than the shooting Chronys at $80.

I reamed out a Colt Police Positive 38 special to 357 mag, and was about 8 grains above max 357 mag max load for 158 gr LIL'GUN. The revolver kept getting louder and kicking harder with each increment in powder, but the chrono said the velocity was going down.

The chrono brought me to a fork in the road. Do I want to pay for muzzle fire balls or velocity?

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C. <><:
...Wonder ... wonder, if intelligent people could have reasonable differences of opinion without stooping to mindless name calling as a substitute for logic?

Hey Jim, I'd say "intelligent" people can.

Good Hunting and clean 1-shot Kills.

I see this was still mis-understood due to poor(non-intelligent) wording on my part.

I'd say "intelligent" people can(add in to make it clear that I agree with Jim) have reasonable differences of opinion without stooping to mindless name calling.
-----

Chronographs are a waste of money and to spend even more on a Totally Worthless HSGS reminds me of a very "wise" old saying:

A non-calibrated, guessed at dimension, Haphazard SGS = Reloaders Pyrite(aka Fools Gold).

Obviously, that will not be in disagreement with any of the intelligent folks.

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Gibson:
..Just goes to you don't learn and continue blah blah blah

Intelligent? Just what I'd expect.

Hot Core

quote:

A non-calibrated, guessed at dimension, Haphazard SGS = Reloaders Pyrite(aka Fools Gold).

Since I beat you to the "donut" comment the above was your only alternative and you didn't disappoint! Your drole comments do lack a certain amount of intelligence as an intelligent person could at least expand on a basic premiss (even an incorrect one) after one or two posts. You continually post the same old drole comment. Come on now, show us some intelligence and really tell us how you feel about chronographs and pressure measuring equipment istead of the same old cut and paste verbage!

Larry Gibson

Well, it's popcorn.....and only because they don't have a doughnut eating smiley here!

Yes, I got an inexpensive Pro Chrono. Won the check pool and got dinner and the chrono. I lived without it before, but I really like the idea of having a reasonable measurement vs a guess on velocity.

If you should decide to check saboted ML bullets, protect the thing from the sabots, they have turned chronographs off permanently.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:


Well, it's popcorn.....and only because they don't have a doughnut eating smiley here!

quote:

Chronographs are a waste of money and to spend even more on a Totally Worthless HSGS reminds me of a very "wise" old saying:

A non-calibrated, guessed at dimension, Haphazard SGS = Reloaders Pyrite(aka Fools Gold).

A Chrono is uncalibrated but have you ever heard the term for "reference only"
But really tell me how you know you have round that's on the hot side If you have nothing to compare it to.
And don't go into case head size change, brass flow, Primers flatting etc... All that stuff is bogus and pressure signs are a sign too late.
By the time brass flows you could be way over pressure.

Come on guys! I enjoy the teasing insult swapfest as much as the next guy, if done in good fun.

So, please, if you can't be constructive or informative, be civil. If you can't be civil, at least be entertaining.


Thanks,

Lost Sheep

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:


Well, it's popcorn.....and only because they don't have a doughnut eating smiley here!

I concur on the popcorn...not as good as donuts but good muchies none the less....

Larry Gibson

quote:

Originally posted by Lost Sheep:
Lighting is critical. In order to detect the passage of a bullet, the background MUST be diffuse light. Cloudy day, no skyscreens needed. Clear skies, even bright, you need those skyscreens.

Lost Sheep, I don't think you're using the correct term. Skyscreen is the bullet detecting device. Diffuser is the thing that disperses direct sunlight. Since I own an Oehler, here is a breakdown of the parts:

Skyscreen parts