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Thread: What kind of chronograph should I consider

  1. #41
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    Quote Originally Posted by Petrol & Powder View Post
    What kind of chronograph should I consider ?

    Bulletproof
    ain't dat da trooth!!!

    plugged the prochronoDLX with a 6.5 creedmoor this past fall. this was the 3rd screen type chrono i've killed in the last few years.





    i immediately acquired a magneto speed sporter for the rifles, have used it dozens of times and that unit does yeoman service.

    if i had the need to chrony handguns i'd have gotten a labradar. i'll never buy a screen chrony ever again.

  2. #42
    Boolit Master
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    If budget allows a LabRadar.

  3. #43
    Boolit Master slim1836's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Carrier View Post
    If budget allows a LabRadar.
    That's on my wish list. Just waiting to see if a new version is going to come out.

    Slim
    JUST GOTTA LOVE THIS JOINT.

  4. #44
    Boolit Master murf205's Avatar
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    Labradar, by all means. It lives in a safer neighborhood(behind the gun). I don't have one yet but I'm gonna'.
    IT AINT what ya shoot--its how ya shoot it. NONE of us are as smart as ALL of us!

  5. #45
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    Goodness, you guys make me feel old. I got my PACT Pro in the mid 90's. Don't know if they're still made but if I needed another I'd get the same if possible. Shooting it didn't sound like a good idea so I never have. I keep the screens, basic unit and cables in a fitted (cheep) "attache" case from a thrift shop. Never found tripod/screen set up to be difficult or slow.

    I like simple things but I also like versatility. The built in printer is a nice aid and, when I use it, the built in ballistic computer program is also great. I have used it for everything I shoot and I shoot everything - black and smokeless powders, handguns and long guns, pellet guns and spear guns, shotguns and Red Ryder BBs, and arrows from compound bows.

    I fire through my Pro while developing loads for accuracy so there's no way I'd settle for the limitations of a muzzle mounted device.

    Radar speed readers MIGHT be okay but I KNOW my skyscreens are good! And they're fairly safe because NO ONE except me is permitted to shoot anything over those screens!


    IF I wanted a basic bullet speedometer I'd think very hard about the Caldwell system.

  6. #46
    Boolit Buddy
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    Local gun club swap meet is later this March. If I can raise enough cash to grab the LabRadar, I'll be pleased. I keep finding ways to purchase rifles rather than the LabRadar.

    I do have the caldwell deluxe kit and it really is a great chronograph. Very inexpensive, has always performed very well. Only reason for the upgrade is that I often shoot two separate targets down range that are about 6 feet apart. So I can shoot one rifle group, then let it cool while shooting a 2nd rifle on the other target. The Caldwell (or any chrono of this type) can't catch the bullets for both targets.

    LabRadar would allow me to do this very easily. Also, I wouldn't have to stop the line for setup/takedown. Totally luxury item.

    to 90% of reloaders, I would heartily suggest the Caldwell. My reloading success increased 10 fold when I started recording speeds.

  7. #47
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    Sig556r's Avatar
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    +1 on inexpensive (not cheap) Caldwell...works on phone app as well
    ...Speak softly & carry a big stick...

  8. #48
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sig556r View Post
    +1 on inexpensive (not cheap) Caldwell...works on phone app as well
    I forgot to mention the app. It's great. I can export my data in .csv files and import into google sheets. Then all my data is right at my fingertips.

  9. #49
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    1hole, I still use a Pact purchased a little earlier than yours. Mine doesn't have a printer but, I do like my hand written old Chrony page that I've put in a 3 ring binder. It is great for referral. It's surprising how thick it is after close to 30 years.
    "In general, the art of government is to take as much money as possible from one class of citizens and give it to another class of citizens" Voltaire'

    The common virtue of capitalism is the sharing of equal opportunity. The common vice of socialism is the equal sharing of misery

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  10. #50
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    Quote Originally Posted by rfd View Post
    ain't dat da trooth!!!

    plugged the prochronoDLX with a 6.5 creedmoor this past fall. this was the 3rd screen type chrono i've killed in the last few years.





    i immediately acquired a magneto speed sporter for the rifles, have used it dozens of times and that unit does yeoman service.

    if i had the need to chrony handguns i'd have gotten a labradar. i'll never buy a screen chrony ever again.
    Your 6.5 penetrates better than the 22 mag NA mini revolver I shot mine with.

  11. #51
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    My first chronograph was one of the first Chrony's. I don't have any pictures but, I killed mine with a 45-120 and a 540 gr. bullet....at about 10 ft. It rained plastic and yellow sheet metal for a minute or two. There wasn't enough left to examine but I'm fairly confident penetration was complete.
    "In general, the art of government is to take as much money as possible from one class of citizens and give it to another class of citizens" Voltaire'

    The common virtue of capitalism is the sharing of equal opportunity. The common vice of socialism is the equal sharing of misery

    NRA Benefactor 2008

  12. #52
    Boolit Master Drew P's Avatar
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    The green Caldwell unit is a complete piece of garbage. They replaced the first one and the replacement sucks donkey too. Erratic readings, errors, it’s GARBAGE. if anyone wants mine I have two for free.

  13. #53
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    I have a Chroney F1 and my club has a Lab Radar.

    I tested some 7.5x53.5 cast loads through both and the difference between readouts was 5 fps.

    I am happy with my Chroney F1!!

    ukrifleman

  14. #54
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    My Pro Chrono Plus must be 20 years old. Heavily used.

    Sometimes I forget it in a car in freezing cold winter, it has been soaked in rain in summer,it has fallen when used with a stand,still working fine. I do have a future problem coming with the 9 V battery clip,short wires,tough to solder.

    Bu I'll get another one when/if this one dies.

  15. #55
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    So,, rfd,, I guess pushing the " delete shot " button didn't help ,, either ??

    Never owned a chrono. and I was thinking of the Caldwell ,, because of price ,, I think i'll go read some more.

    coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.

  16. #56
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    Quote Originally Posted by Petander View Post
    My Pro Chrono Plus must be 20 years old. Heavily used.

    Sometimes I forget it in a car in freezing cold winter, it has been soaked in rain in summer,it has fallen when used with a stand,still working fine. I do have a future problem coming with the 9 V battery clip,short wires,tough to solder.

    Bu I'll get another one when/if this one dies.
    I'm with you on the wires too short now. I'll probably go with a labradar if this one dies.

    762
    Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
    My amendment can beat up your amendment.

  17. #57
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hootmix View Post
    So,, rfd,, I guess pushing the " delete shot " button didn't help ,, either ??

    Never owned a chrono. and I was thinking of the Caldwell ,, because of price ,, I think i'll go read some more.

    coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.
    gee, i tried pushing that damned button but nothing happened ... i dunno why?

    for me, the magneto_speed sporter has worked best for all the rifles i own. absolutely flawless. if i had a need to chrono handguns i'd get a labradar instead. other than those two, i'd never ever buy a sky screen chrono again, a waste of my money and time.

  18. #58
    Boolit Bub
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    My son and wife purchased a PACT for me. It rarely worked and finally just quit altogether. I sent it back to the factory, with the $15.00 they asked for. They sent it back, saying nothing was wrong with it and included the check. Set it up, would not work, tried every change possible. Out of the blue, it worked for a half hour and then quit, never working again. Glad they sent the check back, but the unit just wouldn’t work. Folks were nice but I can’t recommend it based on my experience.

    Purchased a Magnetospeed. Worked right out the box. Lovely unit. Unfortunately, it slipped down the barrel, un-noticed, and the bayonet housing was toast. With nothing to lose, i restrapped it back to the barrel and finished my shooting session. However, they report it cannot be repaired and must be replaced. Since it was my fault, I would not report it as a warranty issue. So, its gonna cost.

    Still I recommend the Magnetospeed. It works.

  19. #59
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    I can still remember saving up for my Oehler 33 in the late 70's and finally getting it. It was amazing toggling through the screens and seeing what my loads were actually doing compared to what a manual said they were. I had it 25 years or so and had some people over at the house one day, when they left it was gone, I never could prove who took it. I replaced it with an Oehler 35P and am very happy with it.

    I've had an Oehler 35P for about 12 years now and am perfectly happy with it. It does everything it's supposed to and the printer is a nice feature over my Oehler 33.
    M.O.P.H.--D.A.V.-- N.R.A.-- Life Member

  20. #60
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    I have one I bought 25 years ago...not important who made it. IIRC paid about $125-150 for it. I got it for testing rifle loads.

    I have never used it. I work up my loads the old fashion way. Shoot 5 shot groups until I get what I want. Shoot more groups to check a good group was not a fluke and I am done. Then I look up the load in the manuals and estimate MV by correcting for barrel length and averaging data from the manuals. If I am off by 100 fps on a 5.56 or .308 jacketed load, it is not significant for my needs. But I have no plans to shoot over 400 yards so my needs are simple.

    If I have a load that meets my accuracy desire for the gun, I do not care about ES or SD.

    I would never use velocity to estimate the pressure of a load, but then I never exceed published data and do not experiment.

    I probably do not know what I do not know. Ignorance is bliss...LOL.

    I now have my own range off the back porch and may break it out this year. At least it won't be the pain to use like it would be on a public range.
    Don Verna


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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check