Chronograph setup

W

woodland-ghost

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 14, 2012
166
1
36
Tennessee
#1
Going to be shooting through a chrono for the first time this week and wondering how y'all get everything set up straight...seems like a dumb question but I just don't want to send a bullet into the chrono lol

It says setup 10ft away, and I've seen people use them much closer...and says to put tape on the metal at 4 and 6in on the metal to give your a reference on where to shoot.
 
#2
Re: Chronograph setup

8'-15' away will work. Get your rifle setup and aiming at target. Set chrono up. Now stand behind your rifle 6' or so. Sight down the left and right sides of your rifle and top and bottom. You will be able to tell if your good or need adjustment.
 
#3
Re: Chronograph setup

If it's a bolt action rifle, sandbag the rifle, pull the bolt, sight through the bore to the target. Make sure you're between the screens. I would put the chronograph at least 10ft away, as the muzzleblast can give you errors.
 
#4
Re: Chronograph setup

The most foolproof way is to first sight the gun on to the target, then put a laser on your muzzel and use the dot to center the barrel between the uprights and at the correct height. This way, not only will you not shoot your chrony but you can center the bullet's path perfectly. To avoid having an accident with the laser, thread the laser's bag into the trigger guard (unloaded gun of course), that way you will never forget to remove the laser. Gun should be on a rest.
 
#5
Re: Chronograph setup

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jlow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The most foolproof way is to first sight the gun on to the target, then put a laser on your muzzel and use the dot to center the barrel between the uprights and at the correct height. This way, not only will you not shoot your chrony but you can center the bullet's path perfectly. To avoid having an accident with the laser, thread the laser's bag into the trigger guard (unloaded gun of course), that way you will never forget to remove the laser. Gun should be on a rest. </div></div>

I started doing this about a year ago at the range I belong to. Had just bought a new Chrono and didn't want to put any holes in it. Bought a cheapie laser bore sighter for about $20.

Now, when I go to the range, even the "Harumpf, why do you bother with that, we've been doing it our way for 20 years" crowd have their laser bore sighters as well for "chrono days".

One thing the laser guarantees, over and above the "stand behind the rifle" method, is that at least you'll know where the bullet's going unless you forget to line up the rifle first.
 
#7
Re: Chronograph setup

Yeah, and there was a post on here not too long ago about forgetting to remove the laser resulting in a 4" bulge at the muzzle. BB
 
#8
Re: Chronograph setup

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: woodland-ghost</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What layers are y'all buying that you can see during the day at any distance? I picked one up and have to bore sight my guns at night or dusk/dawn to see the laser. </div></div>

Tape a piece of paper or target to the first screen behind the upright supports. Center the laser in the chrono on the piece of paper. Remove the paper and you are ready to go.
 
#9
Re: Chronograph setup

I got neon pink duct tape from walmart and wrapped it around the poles on the chrono about 3 inches above the center of the stick to account for height over bore.

At 5-6x around 10ft from the muzzle you can see the pink tape at the sides of the sight picture. If you see pink on both sides your good to go.

Once that is set, you can power up to max power or whatever power you want and as long as you don't move your setup, you should be good.
 
#10
Re: Chronograph setup

I have been using a PACT chronograph for many years...absolutely the most informative piece of kit I have EVER purchased! This is how I set my chrono up over all those years...only one person needed for this method:

BE SURE FIREARM IS UNLOADED!!!!

1. Set target up at 25yds. You can move the target to longer ranges as needed...this will get you on target quickly.

2. Place rifle on sandbags (or bench rest). Seat it firmly in the bags so that the scope reticle is centered on the target. Be sure the rifle is stationary and on target when you move away from the bench.

3. Place your chronograph on an adjustable tripod about 10 ft. in front of the muzzle. I use a pre measured 10 ft. piece of nylon cord secured to the bench on one end by a thumb tack. Roughly adjust the tripod for height, be sure it is level.

4. Stand a few feet downrange (between the target and the chronograph) and look back through the sky screen windows at the rifle muzzle/scope objective. When your eye is in line with the scope, you can see back through the scope...usually you can see the reticle. Adjust the tripod/chronograph so that the center of the sky screen windows is in line with the reticle.

5. Go back behind the rifle and look through the scope to confirm it is still centered on the target and to confirm that you are looking through the center of the sky screen windows. You may need to make a few minor adjustments to the tripod to get it level.

This took much longer to write than to actually perform the steps. You can use these instructions with iron sighted rifles or handguns...just be sure you are looking squarely down the muzzle (kinda hard to see those iron sights...at least for my eyes) and that the firearm is firmly seated on the sand bags.

I settled on 10 ft. from muzzle to the "start" skyscreen long ago so that all my chrono readings will be consistent. Seems to work ok for up to .50 BMG muzzle blast.

Over the years, I have watched so many people struggle with aligning their chronograph...usually I approach them and ask if I can be of assistance. Sometimes I get rebuffed...but, usually they are receptive. Neat to watch the "light" come on when they see how easy it is. The above method is especially useful at a public range where every other shooter has to wait for one poor soul to walk back and forth from the chrono to the bench a dozen or more times to get the proper setup.

You might want to try this method in your back yard (or even in a hallway or large room in your house) just to be sure it works for you before you try it in front of a bunch of shooters/range personnel. JUST BE SURE THE FIREARM IS UNLOADED BEFORE YOU BEGIN!!!
 
#13
Re: Chronograph setup

I have 15' of masons string with a loop tied on one end. First I aim the rifle at the target. Then I loop the string over the elevation knob on the scope, pull it tight over the center of the furthest screen and make sure its running straight down the barrel and over the center of the first screen. Adjust what needs adjusting. Its also dead simple to double check elevation on the screens.

This gets it done the first time every time with no walking back and forth. Less time and less wasted ammo. It also gives you the most possible left to right travel.

The other thing to make sure of is that your screens are a consistent distance apart. If you have a three screen setup like an Oehler even a half an inch will throw it off pretty good. I used a measuring tape and then marked where they needed to be with a sharpie.
 
#14
Re: Chronograph setup

As far as distance is concerned, the closer it is to you the more room you have to move left and right and still being over the sensors. Put it as close as you can until you get comfortable setting it up. If you try and lay your target spots out top to bottom in one or two columns instead of laying them out left to right you will probably be able to shoot all your groups without having to adjust the chrono as you move across.
 
#15
Re: Chronograph setup

Last tip ... if its setup in a shaded area you will probably get better results with the sky screen off. If the screens are casting a shadow you need the screen on. All they do is diffuse the light so the sensors dont get blinded. If it is overcast or the sun is positioned where shadows are over your sensors leave them off.
 
#16
Re: Chronograph setup

What's the closest y'all would reccomend and how do you know if it's to close and muzzle blast is affecting it?

I won't be using it alot, just to see how fast it's moving once I find a load that works...I'll basically just be shooting through it and into a backstop, no real distance.
 
#18
Re: Chronograph setup

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: QuiggyB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Last tip ... if its setup in a shaded area you will probably get better results with the sky screen off. If the screens are casting a shadow you need the screen on. All they do is diffuse the light so the sensors dont get blinded. If it is overcast or the sun is positioned where shadows are over your sensors leave them off. </div></div>

Or if you live in an area where the sun is something you only see on TV or when you take a vacation, just invest in a chronograph that uses IR sensors. They can be powered from a cheap motor scooter 6v battery if there's no plug in near.
 
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