I'm thinking about a chronograph

Red Dog · July 19, 2012, 02:38 PM

I've been reading up on them and trying to figure out are they really useful.
Are shots fired above the screens? Surely not in the opening above the
instrument. I'm also reading about printers and lighting conditions.

Bailey Boat · July 19, 2012, 03:22 PM

Yes, the shots are fired directly above the unit, within the "triangle" formed by the sky screen rods and the skyscreens.. Aim accordingly.....

Edward429451 · July 19, 2012, 03:52 PM

Fire below the screens and above the unit. After shooting my 2nd Chronograph (

) I put a couple wraps of electrical tape on the rods about 3/4 of the way up from the unit, so it was a reference point for me to sight between and I have not shot my 3rd chrony yet.

jmr40 · July 20, 2012, 08:32 AM

You can spend as little as $100 and get pretty acceptable accuracy. Some guys have tested the $100 units side by side with more expensive models and have found them to be pretty darn close accuracy wise. You are paying for features. Some allow you to print out info or even download to your computer. I'm content to simply write down the readings on a notepad between shots with my $100 chronograph.

Yes, you shoot above the screens and light is needed. The 2 screens are an exact distance apart. When you shoot your bullet casts a shadow on the sensors as it passes over them and a timer measures the time it takes between the sensors. That time is converted into fps.

As light conditions change you may get slightly different readings. The intensity and angle of the sun can cause minor differences in velocity readings. In low light, such as cloudy days i don't even use the sunscreens.

You also need to be pretty consistent with the distance you place the chronograph from the gun. You will get faster readings if at 10' than at 20'. Too close and muzzle blast will shake the unit and give inaccurate readings. I try to get as close to 15' as possible every time.

And yes, it is not uncommon to shoot your chronograph. Your barrel is 1.5"-2" below your sights and the bullet is that much lower at very close range. You need to be aiming 4"-6" higher than the unit to be sure of missing it.

Skimp · July 20, 2012, 09:08 AM

Yea, I shot my first Chrony up. Put a 9mm straight threw the front and out the back. With this second one I place a target behind to be a little more civil.

Red Dog · July 20, 2012, 09:52 AM

Check out the link.

osageid · July 20, 2012, 09:58 AM

Yes ^

a7mmnut · July 20, 2012, 12:40 PM

Yep, between the display and the sky screen. Hold very still while testing shotgun loads!

-7-

tobnpr · July 20, 2012, 09:46 PM

Useful, yes.
Mandatory, nope...
Just purchased my first (Chrony Alpha Master).

For our long range shooting, knowing the actual MV (rather than estimating) speeds the process of getting dialed in at long range when punched into the ballistics program.

Also, even though knowing how to read pressure signs keeps us out of trouble, it's good to know if you've pretty much maxed out- even though you might not be getting the visible signs (flat primers, hard extraction). If your MV is indicating max pressure- you know you're at the end of the road.

While it's good to be able to verify max velocity, more often than not, it's not the most accurate load- in my experience. While some guys seem to get the tightest consistency at/near/beyond max, that's rarely been the case for me.

ragwd · July 23, 2012, 01:39 PM

I havent shot mine yet,lol. but I set up with a bore laser and some cardboard at the chrono just to make sure.

g.willikers · July 23, 2012, 02:00 PM

How high above the sensors you will have to send the rounds depends on the available light.
Bright cloud cover, that diffuses the sun light, is best for getting good readings without putting the chronograph in danger.
Be extra careful when using scopes or high mounted sights, though.
As for being useful, they are indispensable for safer and accurate reloading, and also for knowing velocities, for figuring ammo ballistics.
Sure beats guessing.

July 19, 2012, 02:38 PM	#1
Red Dog Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2010 Posts: 217	I'm thinking about a chronograph I've been reading up on them and trying to figure out are they really useful. Are shots fired above the screens? Surely not in the opening above the instrument. I'm also reading about printers and lighting conditions.

July 19, 2012, 03:52 PM	#3
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Fire below the screens and above the unit. After shooting my 2nd Chronograph () I put a couple wraps of electrical tape on the rods about 3/4 of the way up from the unit, so it was a reference point for me to sight between and I have not shot my 3rd chrony yet.

July 23, 2012, 02:00 PM	#11
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	How high above the sensors you will have to send the rounds depends on the available light. Bright cloud cover, that diffuses the sun light, is best for getting good readings without putting the chronograph in danger. Be extra careful when using scopes or high mounted sights, though. As for being useful, they are indispensable for safer and accurate reloading, and also for knowing velocities, for figuring ammo ballistics. Sure beats guessing. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

July 19, 2012, 03:22 PM	#2
Bailey Boat Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: NC Posts: 365	Yes, the shots are fired directly above the unit, within the "triangle" formed by the sky screen rods and the skyscreens.. Aim accordingly.....

July 20, 2012, 08:32 AM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	You can spend as little as $100 and get pretty acceptable accuracy. Some guys have tested the $100 units side by side with more expensive models and have found them to be pretty darn close accuracy wise. You are paying for features. Some allow you to print out info or even download to your computer. I'm content to simply write down the readings on a notepad between shots with my $100 chronograph. Yes, you shoot above the screens and light is needed. The 2 screens are an exact distance apart. When you shoot your bullet casts a shadow on the sensors as it passes over them and a timer measures the time it takes between the sensors. That time is converted into fps. As light conditions change you may get slightly different readings. The intensity and angle of the sun can cause minor differences in velocity readings. In low light, such as cloudy days i don't even use the sunscreens. You also need to be pretty consistent with the distance you place the chronograph from the gun. You will get faster readings if at 10' than at 20'. Too close and muzzle blast will shake the unit and give inaccurate readings. I try to get as close to 15' as possible every time. And yes, it is not uncommon to shoot your chronograph. Your barrel is 1.5"-2" below your sights and the bullet is that much lower at very close range. You need to be aiming 4"-6" higher than the unit to be sure of missing it.

July 20, 2012, 09:08 AM	#5
Skimp Member Join Date: June 12, 2012 Posts: 62	Yea, I shot my first Chrony up. Put a 9mm straight threw the front and out the back. With this second one I place a target behind to be a little more civil.

July 20, 2012, 09:58 AM	#7
osageid Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2010 Posts: 286	Yes ^

July 20, 2012, 12:40 PM	#8
a7mmnut Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: NC Foothills Posts: 1,150	Yep, between the display and the sky screen. Hold very still while testing shotgun loads! -7-

July 20, 2012, 09:46 PM	#9
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Useful, yes. Mandatory, nope... Just purchased my first (Chrony Alpha Master). For our long range shooting, knowing the actual MV (rather than estimating) speeds the process of getting dialed in at long range when punched into the ballistics program. Also, even though knowing how to read pressure signs keeps us out of trouble, it's good to know if you've pretty much maxed out- even though you might not be getting the visible signs (flat primers, hard extraction). If your MV is indicating max pressure- you know you're at the end of the road. While it's good to be able to verify max velocity, more often than not, it's not the most accurate load- in my experience. While some guys seem to get the tightest consistency at/near/beyond max, that's rarely been the case for me.

July 23, 2012, 01:39 PM	#10
ragwd Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Posts: 925	I havent shot mine yet,lol. but I set up with a bore laser and some cardboard at the chrono just to make sure.