Picked up a cheap Caldwell chrono today

Wendyj · August 22, 2015, 12:56 PM

Doesn't seem to bad for less than a $100.00. For some reason iPhone 6 won't read it but IPad 2 does. Give it a test with a 22 revolver. Velocity on box must be for a rifle or its way off. Finally I can maybe get some levels of speed to track my pressures in my rifles. This thing gets 50/50 on reviews. Some like it some hate it. So far I'm happy if it would work with phone instead of iPad.

Marco Califo · August 22, 2015, 01:07 PM

The box fps would make sense for rifle, and your speeds make sense for handgun. Be happy your are getting readings.

Wendyj · August 22, 2015, 01:18 PM

I had read a lot of reviews on this model and a lot of people just purely hated it. About half loved it. I bought it from Acadamy because they have a 90 day return policy if it doesn't function or I don't like it. My hand loading has been too much of a guessing game. I'm interested in seeing if primers and what powders change my velocity and see if they are anywhere close to load data velocities. I also like the energy levels if they turn out correct. Buying for hand loading never stops but I am addicted. Nothing like making loads that factory can't compete with. Sometimes anyway.

Wendyj · August 22, 2015, 08:23 PM

Had to go to the range and give it a try. Pretty consistent with exception of errors. Three shot string in 7 mag showed 3120-3082 and 642. I can believe the first 2 but third is a fluke. Lot of sun light. I may have been too close also. Didn't want to shoot a hole through it. Maybe 8-10 ft from muzzle.

math teacher · August 22, 2015, 10:18 PM

Try putting it back a bit further. Some of the propellant gas may get there ahead of the bullet and cause a false reading. Also the gas from my 338 blew out the cover screen on my crony. Fortunately I was able to devise another.

g.willikers · August 23, 2015, 11:28 AM

The best readings seem to be on bright, but overcast days.
The kind where the grey skies act like a diffuser.
Bright sun seems to confuse my Chrony no end.

Economist · August 23, 2015, 02:16 PM

I bought the same Caldwell chrono, and it's been flawless. I like the iphone app as it does the math for me.

Wendyj · August 23, 2015, 03:56 PM

I think it's what math teacher said. I was only 8-10 feet away from the muzzle. Both 20 inch barrels have muzzle brakes which probably threw the errors. I only got one bad reading on the 7 mag and it was a 600 fps reading after getting the 3000 fps range. It was super bright. Rain had moved out and no clouds. Diffusers didn't help it so I'm just guessing I was too close. I do like the app but energy levels are less than powder manuals by a good bit. Some as much as 4-600 pounds off. The 20 inch barrel on the 260 was really close to Sierra load levels. My 308 was pretty average knocking 50 fps off for each inch of barrel shorter. My 7 mag was screaming about 200 fps more than Speer load levels but dead on with Nosler. Hodgdon levels were way lower than actual speed of all three. It was nice to have it.
Definitely helps adjusting moa on scopes.

August 22, 2015, 12:56 PM	#1
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	Picked up a cheap Caldwell chrono today Doesn't seem to bad for less than a $100.00. For some reason iPhone 6 won't read it but IPad 2 does. Give it a test with a 22 revolver. Velocity on box must be for a rifle or its way off. Finally I can maybe get some levels of speed to track my pressures in my rifles. This thing gets 50/50 on reviews. Some like it some hate it. So far I'm happy if it would work with phone instead of iPad. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!! Last edited by Wendyj; June 4, 2016 at 02:18 PM.

August 22, 2015, 01:07 PM	#2
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,722	The box fps would make sense for rifle, and your speeds make sense for handgun. Be happy your are getting readings. __________________ ............

August 22, 2015, 01:18 PM	#3
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	I had read a lot of reviews on this model and a lot of people just purely hated it. About half loved it. I bought it from Acadamy because they have a 90 day return policy if it doesn't function or I don't like it. My hand loading has been too much of a guessing game. I'm interested in seeing if primers and what powders change my velocity and see if they are anywhere close to load data velocities. I also like the energy levels if they turn out correct. Buying for hand loading never stops but I am addicted. Nothing like making loads that factory can't compete with. Sometimes anyway. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!!

August 22, 2015, 08:23 PM	#4
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	Had to go to the range and give it a try. Pretty consistent with exception of errors. Three shot string in 7 mag showed 3120-3082 and 642. I can believe the first 2 but third is a fluke. Lot of sun light. I may have been too close also. Didn't want to shoot a hole through it. Maybe 8-10 ft from muzzle. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!!

August 23, 2015, 03:56 PM	#8
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	I think it's what math teacher said. I was only 8-10 feet away from the muzzle. Both 20 inch barrels have muzzle brakes which probably threw the errors. I only got one bad reading on the 7 mag and it was a 600 fps reading after getting the 3000 fps range. It was super bright. Rain had moved out and no clouds. Diffusers didn't help it so I'm just guessing I was too close. I do like the app but energy levels are less than powder manuals by a good bit. Some as much as 4-600 pounds off. The 20 inch barrel on the 260 was really close to Sierra load levels. My 308 was pretty average knocking 50 fps off for each inch of barrel shorter. My 7 mag was screaming about 200 fps more than Speer load levels but dead on with Nosler. Hodgdon levels were way lower than actual speed of all three. It was nice to have it. Definitely helps adjusting moa on scopes. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!!

August 22, 2015, 10:18 PM	#5
math teacher Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2012 Location: Southwest WA Coast Posts: 562	Try putting it back a bit further. Some of the propellant gas may get there ahead of the bullet and cause a false reading. Also the gas from my 338 blew out the cover screen on my crony. Fortunately I was able to devise another.

August 23, 2015, 11:28 AM	#6
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	The best readings seem to be on bright, but overcast days. The kind where the grey skies act like a diffuser. Bright sun seems to confuse my Chrony no end.

August 23, 2015, 02:16 PM	#7
Economist Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2014 Posts: 163	I bought the same Caldwell chrono, and it's been flawless. I like the iphone app as it does the math for me.