Posted: 7/1/2016 11:21:09 PM EDT
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I am getting into long range shooting and therefore and reloading. I am working on a budget, would like to get up and running reloading (kit and two die sets) and a chronograph for under $500. I think I can pull this off, with quality stuff if I find deals second hand. Any suggestions on a good chronograph that wont break the bank?
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Shooting chrony are good enough but I've had reliability issues with the Beta models. All other technologies are too expensive for your budget. Hell I got one Chrony Beta that needs a warranty repair (software issue) you can have for 50 bucks. You can get ProChrono as well for cheap, about 125 bones. Those I've had much better luck with than Chrony. For a press kit, grab yourself a lee anniversary kit (~100 bucks) add a cheapie digital scale (~30 bucks) and some RCBS or Lee dies (~30-50 bucks a set) and an RCBS Trim Pro-2 (not the series 1) case trimmer (~100 bucks) and a tumbler (~40 bucks) and some corncob or crushed walnut shell media (~10 bucks). After a couple years you can pick yourself up a used RCBS Rockchucker press as an upgrade. I have all of the above. My RCBS press is no easier to use or more reliable than my Lee press. It's just heavier. Steer clear of the Lee case lube that comes in the kit, PITA mess fest. I use pure liquid lanolin (must be liquid) and 91% isopropyl alcohol from the drug store (20% lanolin, 1:4 pure liquid lanolin:91%ISO) which I can make for pennies an ounce. Spray it on the brass inside a plastic bag, shake, let dry, size. Lanolin is cheap to get off ebay. |
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If you read all the product reviews for under-$200 chronos you'll end up with the ProChrono.
They don't have the sexy form-factor of the Shooting Chrony, or the compactness of the Magnetospeed, but they are low cost and just frigg'n work every time consistently. I've chrono'd rifles, pistols, pellet guns, bows, and even a sling-shot. If there's ambient light it just works and works every time. I've only had one shot ever fail to register, and it was indoors under fluorescent lights. So I threw a hood over it and stuck an incandescent shop light over it an was back in business. Feels cheap, is a little bulky, but costs under $100 and works every time consistently, and that's what matters. Amazon link |
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Optical chronos are serviceable if you can live with the environmental constraints. They need to be set up downrange when the range is cold. You need to shoot over the sensors, between the rods, under the screens if used, and then at your target. They need good lighting. They will miss some shots, and most get shot themselves at one point or another. With consistent set up and good environmental conditions, they work fine.
I own and used a CED M2 chrono (~$200) (which also needs a tripod to set up). The major issues were getting it set up (cold range), getting it setup consistently (level and parallel to the line of flight), a few missed shots as lighting changed, and the need to move it when shooting at more than a few bullseyes at 100 yds. Otherwise it worked fine. Never owned a shooting Chrony, but many folks make them work. Bought a MagnetoSpeed V1 when they came out. It sets up when the range is hot, doesn't need to be adjusted for a change of target, works in any weather or lighting. It didn't miss a shot as long as it was attached properly and firmly to the barrel, though some muzzle breaks made that less than easy. The main problem was it changed the POI on my rifles. Even if I believed it did not change group size, it put a serious question on the criteria I use to find a precision load. So I made extra ammo to get chrono data, and lived with the fact that I did not have chrono data on the rounds I actually used for load development. Since then improvements have been made to display and attachments, and the MagnetoSpeed V3 sells for ~$380. The LabRadar is a doppler radar unit that by design has all the advantages of MagnetoSpeed but does not attach to the firearm in any way. It sits on the bench (or ground) next to your rifle and tracks the bullet. I now get chrono data on every shot I take if I want it - recently used it to chrono rounds used to develop dope every 100 yards from 100 to 1200 at Bangsteel. That would not have been practical with any other chrono. Whether it's necessary or not is debatable, but that's what LabRadar provides. The only drawback I've heard of occurs if you are shooting suppressed next to a braked big bore . . . the LR may not be able to adjust to hearing your shot without also hearing the other. The LR sells for about $640 including a (optional) carry case, (optional) base, and the (not really) optional rechargeable battery pack. IMO for your use there are 2 choices . . . $100 - $200 for an optical chrono (add a tripod) or $640 for the LabRadar. Your budget and your tolerance for the drawbacks of an optical will decide. |
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Midway USA has the Magnetospeed Sprorter on sale right now for $157 (add to cart to see price)
I've use a traditional chrony and the Magnetospeed. I'll never go back to using a traditional chrony if I can help it. The magnetospeed is just way to easy and fast to setup and use. So much more convenient. |
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Quoted: Midway USA has the Magnetospeed Sprorter on sale right now for $157 (add to cart to see price) I've use a traditional chrony and the Magnetospeed. I'll never go back to using a traditional chrony if I can help it. The magnetospeed is just way to easy and fast to setup and use. So much more convenient. |
| my prochrono digital has served me well but after my cousin bough his labradar i'll likely never use it. I very seldom shoot without him. he actually got tired of being afraid of shooting my chrono. lol the prochrono (and most optical chrono's)is/are picky about lighting. the sun has to be overhead and depending how your oriented in relation to the sun it may be fussy especially early morning and before dawn. most of my shooting spots face north so it's more pronounced for me. |
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I have a Prochrono Digital I bought used for $50. It is very picky about light conditions, but under the right light conditions it just works. Unfortunately, it is at the factory now cause it just completely stopped working. I hope they include a letter telling me what was wrong with it when they send it back.
If they weren’t so dang expensive, I’d pick up one of them fancy LabRadar units. Slick the way they work. |
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I can't vouch for reliability of the current Shooting Chrony models, but I have one that is over 20 years old that still functions like new! I bought it when they first came on the market. It is basic and lacks the frills of the newer models, but it proved to be as rugged as one could ever ask. Yes, I've shot up screens and the upright supports, but never hit the actual Chrony, itself.
I'm looking for a remote model now with more features, but will keep this old one for backup until it causes problems. That may be a long time. |