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Which chronograph would you recoomend

turbohardtop

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 1, 2010
217
1
51
Austin, TX
I am loading for 223 and playing with some load for 308. I think I need a chronograph to get more precise on my loads. Which one would you recommend and which one that is usable for indoors/outdoors. Also, what range of velocity is good for 223 and 308?
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mudcat-NC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CED m2

cant beat the price and they are very good.
</div></div>

x2
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

I got a Shooting Chrono F1 master and it works pretty good. The only thing that I don't like about it is that it can be very finicky if the lighting isn't good. But I had great results with it last week and it was very consistent. For $90 it isn't bad!
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

I would stay away from the Chrony brand as stated above they are real finicky with lighting. I did a test with mine and borrowed two of my buddies and set them up back to back. The numbers were not even close to each other. I know they each are all different lengths from the barrel far from scientific test but you think the numbers would show some pattern.
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: couesnut</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would stay away from the Chrony brand as stated above they are real finicky with lighting. I did a test with mine and borrowed two of my buddies and set them up back to back. The numbers were not even close to each other. I know they each are all different lengths from the barrel far from scientific test but you think the numbers would show some pattern. </div></div>


I would have purchased a different brand, but for the price...it was hard to pass up. Plus it has really good rating from Midwayusa.

I had really consistent numbers with mine though...maybe you got a Friday chrony? I don't know. But to be honest the build quality is decent but not stellar. But that is to be expected for the price. I noticed that the first sensor was not sitting correctly when I got mine. I had to take out a screw and reassemble it. Only took 2 minutes to do but you shouldn't have to mess with it to begin with.

I only used mine once last week and I was working up some loads from 40grn to 43grn and it showed a progressive increase in velocity. The readings were very close to each other as well. I haven't referenced it to another chronograph though but the numbers seem to be on par with published numbers.

I was at the range for about 5 hours and as the sun started to set, the trees casted a shade over the chrono. That was when I started to get error messages with the sensors. I had to move to another lane where there was no shade.

For the money, it's a good deal imo...but I haven't owned it long enough to say how well it will work down the road.
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

I would recommend a Oehler 35P its what im most familiar with but worth every penny IMO and Oehler is doing a special run of these so get it while its HOT
smile.gif
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

Yep, if you got the moola to spend, get the Oehler 35P, I also have the use of one of those, but, I will say, the CED M2 reads right along with it, with less hassle setting up, etc and of a lot less moola. But, if they were the same price, yeah, I would stick with the Oehler. :)
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

Whichever one you get.. It will still be a pile of junk
After a bullet hits it...

Sounds a stupid mistake, but it's easily done!!!

I don't think I'm the only shooter here that's on their second chrono...!!!
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

I have also discovered that running over one with a Ford F150 doesnt help the chrono much either! The good news for me was that it was my chrono and it was a PACT POS that I was going to replace anyhow, so I didnt cry much. Just ordered the new CED and glad I did. :)
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

Been running my chrony f1 for a few years. It usually gives readings 10 fps faster than actual but I'm used to it and its giving my loads and dopes out to 1000 yds wit no issues!

However my buddy bought one of those PACT chronys and it SUCKS! Never works! Maybe others have had better luck?
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

Doc per my post I did sell my CED for the new Oehler. I have talked to people who have the Oehler and they really like it, especially the error check feature. Time will tell when I get one. I had no complaints with the CED M2, I was just curious about using the Oehler and the chance to buy a new one from the factory was the deciding factor for me.
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

Doc per my post I did sell my CED for the new Oehler. I have talked to people who have the Oehler and they really like it, especially the error check feature. Time will tell when I get one. I had no complaints with the CED M2, I was just curious about using the Oehler and the chance to buy a new one from the factory was the deciding factor for me.
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

I'd recommend you avoid buying a Shooting Chrony. I've had two, but I'm a slow learner. My pain, your gain.

If you can afford the $575 USD, the Oehler is king shiznit. The least expensive chrono that enjoys a healthy reputation is the Competition Electronics ProChrono. It's ~$120. In between, price-wize, lie the CED M2 and PACT Pro XP. The CED is ~$200 and the PACT is ~$240 but the PACT includes a built-in printer that prints out the velocities on a paper tape as you're shooting. They're otherwise very similar. Both have very good reputations but neither has the error-checking function of the Oehler.

I bought the CED mostly because 1) my Shooting Chrony(s) kept breaking, 2) the CED is more widely available than the PACT (which I took to mean it sells better), and 3) I do stubby pencil statistical analysis and really have no use of the printer. The CED has proved far more functional than either Shooting Chrony and more accurate than the one I still have.
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

I could not be happier with my Pro Chrono ~ $120 and always triggers.

I shot holes in my first (3) chronographs.
They did not last long.

My 4th chronograph has only been used with rifles, and has lasted years.

Maybe I am just too poor a shot to shoot handguns over chronographs.
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

Although I have not shot my Chrony, sometimes I would like to. It gives inconsistent numbers (sometimes off by 800 FPS!), and is finicky with lighting.
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fireguyty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Although I have not shot my Chrony, sometimes I would like to. It gives inconsistent numbers (sometimes off by 800 FPS!), and is finicky with lighting. </div></div>

I have shot holes in two shooting chronys.

My problem with them was an insensitive trigger.
Half the time I fire a bullet over them, there was no change in display.
 
Re: Which chronograph would you recoomend

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbohardtop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks everyone. I think I will go with the ced because I probably shoot it too. </div></div>
Individual sensors for the CEDs are ~$37. Individual sensors for the PACT are ~$25. If you (or the reckless friend you loaned it to
wink.gif
) should shoot it, the down time for a CED or PACT will be shorter because all you need do is have a replacement shipped from Midway or CTD or whomever. With a ProChrono or any Shooting Chrony, the main unit has to be sent to a service center, repaired, and returned. It easily makes 10 days difference in turn-around time. When I'm in the midst of load development, as a rule, I can't spare that sort of time.