Chronograph recommendations?

I got a Competitions Electronics Pro Chrono DLX for Christmas. Don’t have a lot of time using it especially with it being winter. But I’ve set it up and shot some of my test loads through it for 9mm and 223. You can usually find them for around $125.

they recommended placing it 5-10ft away for pistol and 10-15ft for rifle due to the muzzle blast affecting readings. Which I can attest to. When I first set it up I was within a foot away and got extremely slow velocity. Something like 650fps in 9mm using 124gr RMR with 3.8gr sport pistol. Then I read the directions and found I was too close, backed up and the readings were what I expected in the 1000+ fps range. 223 was the same, my 55gr funk with 24gr H335 gave slow velocity and even factory loads gave me a velocity of 2400fps when I was too close. Backed up and there were where you’d expect them in the 2900fps range

Hope this helps!

I have a CE ProChrono too, and think that it is a good unit. I do 15 ft. for rifle and 10 for pistol.

ProChrono DLX -- definitely!

Dlx

Welcome Aboard !

► Friend, a chrono is certainly nice to have. But you do NOT need one simply to reload. The only reasons that mandate a chrono are developing a load not covered in your load manual, or participation in a competitive sport that requires ammo to meet a minimum "Power Factor" (bullet weight x velocity).

If those don't describe you, then buy a good reloading manual (like the Lyman) and follow the loads in there. And as a novice reloader, I would warn you that you have a lot more important tasks at hand than making your first, second, or even your tenth load something that's not in the Lyman manual !!

► If you do decide to go ahead, then I'll second the vote for the ProChrono (base model or DLX) by Competition Electronics. But there are several in the ~$100 arena that are equally good. Get one with the feature set you want... connectivity to smart phones or iPads, connectivity to printers, etc. Watch the sales as these items are discounted regularly.

Hope this helps.
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Tim A Marcia said:

I'm thinking that I NEED a chronograph!

Thoughts?

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My thoughts? You don't need no stinking chrono!

People have reloaded successfully for decades without the help from chrono by following published load data and following accuracy trends of holes on target like the ladder test and OCW load development.

If you want to produce more consistent rounds, I would suggest accurate scale (beam or digital) with .1 gr resolution verified by check weights and calipers verified by caliber specific pin gages (as wear on calipers occur at different places on gear/rack) before getting a chrono.

BTW, this post lists basic reloading equipment for measuring with standards to verify them - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...tal-scale-for-the-money.841900/#post-10932746

And I shot USPSA matches to over 80 percentile and reloaded over 600,000 consistent rounds without a chorono before finally getting one several years ago.

Tim A Marcia said:

Price is definitely a factor. I don't want to totally cheap out but, I'm also on a tight budget.

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I am not on a tight budget (spent over $175,000 during past 25 years of shooting/reloading and have almost unlimited budget secondary to wife's hobby budget for retirement) but I "cheaped out" when Caldwell (owned by Smith & Wesson) went on Black Friday sale for price I couldn't pass up.

I use the chrono 10-15 feet away from the muzzle as indicated by the manual - https://www.btibrands.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/chronograph-and-kit-master-instructions.pdf

The free Caldwell Ballistic Precision app is downloaded to my phone/tablet using the supplied cable and is particularly beneficial if you want to shield/armor the chrono so you don't shoot it while still being able to access all the chrono data. (I have never shot a chrono but many have ). The Caldwell chrono has worked well for me in bright sun light, overcast/cloudy days and even near sunset and I found key to obtaining consistent readings is shooting closer to the "windows" on top of the chrono (But this means aiming closer to the chrono ).

The app reports ambient temperature (But not the actual temperature of the powder if you are testing temperature/reverse sensitivity) and allows me to add notations along with date stamp so I don't need to take any notes during chrono testing.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/CALDWELL-B-P-CHRONY-PREM-KIT/1837672.uts?slotId=3
This is what I got. It comes with lights, tripod and a nice carrying bag. I really like it so far, and it's a great price.
I loaded for a lot of years without a chrono, I find it useful and interesting but not necessary.

The procrono is the way to go, more so for that day you shoot the thing.

I bought the labradar and I love it. It's the expensive one but at the end of the day it's so good. No worry about weather, other shooters on the line, or any of that. It just works and it works well.

I had the CE ProChrono for months but I've never put it together just been too busy. Looking forward to testing my Remington .222 on it.

If you’re looking for the best and are willing to pay for it, there’s really only one answer: LabRadar.

sequins said:

I bought the labradar and I love it. It's the expensive one but at the end of the day it's so good. No worry about weather, other shooters on the line, or any of that. It just works and it works well.

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OP is on a budget and likely won't be able to spend $560 on a chrono ...
For the cost of a chrono, I say OP should get a set of decent check weights and pin gages he is loading for.

I have a few, the one I use the most is also the cheapest. Not a lot of bells and whistles but shows me what I need to know.

Competition Electronics is what I had before going to the LabRadar. It worked great and used bluetooth to save the data directly to my phone or tablet. Also lets you take a photo and attach it to the record. Also, Competition is the only chrono manufacturer that will replace your shot damaged Chrono for 50% of retail, should that happen.
I like the Labradar since you cant shoot it! It sits on the bench next to you or on a tripod if shooting freehand.

Shooting Chrony has trade in deals for any chronograph in any condition.

http://www.shootingchrony.com/products_TTIYC.htm

Personally I just don’t chronograph load that are so inaccurate I can’t keep them inside a 4 inch window at 10 feet, then it’s just a matter of putting the chronograph below the bullet path. This is the setup I use most of the time as it’s quick and easy (it’s stays setup by the back door in the shop).



you can even use them closer it you can contain the muzzle blast but just setup so it’s not in the bullet path and remember they can detect a bullet flying 12” over the detectors, no need to even get close to hitting them.

Ditto. CE with Bluetooth, get the data to your phone or tablet so it makes it easier to import into a spreadsheet or some other soft copy means. That’s the cheap way. I used mine for many years before I bought the Labradar and am far happier now. Easier setup, and not affected by light as the CE is.
When I’m doing load development I like to create targets and have a record of the grouping. With a shoot through chrono you need to be careful how you do this and with the targets at 10 or 20 yards you need to line up carefully. With the Labradar, you point the unit at the target no matter what distance and fire away.
As others have said, you don’t really need one, but, I find the velocity data very helpful.

I like your brass catcher lol.

LiveLife said:

My thoughts? You don't need no stinking chrono!

People have reloaded successfully for decades without the help from chrono by following published load data and following accuracy trends of holes on target...

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I'll agree with the above statement.

But having said that, from a personal standpoint, I wouldn't be without one. And that's because I have a data addiction and love to measure things.

I started with a CE ProChrono and used it for several years with both rifle and pistol loads. I did manage to avoid "puncturing" it or shooting a rod, but did skip a .357 Mag bullet off the top surface.

However, I did buy a Labradar unit as soon as they were available. Much easier to setup and use and much more useful data. But as others have pointed out, they are expensive, so not the best choice for everyone. But I wouldn't give mine up.

Tim A Marcia said:

I'm new here and new to reloading. I'm thinking that I NEED a chronograph! (Another tool, and you can't have too many tools!) I've never used one. How far away from muzzle do you place it? Price is definitely a factor. I don't want to totally cheap out but, I'm also on a tight budget. Thoughts/recommendations?

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I don’t think you need a chronograph.
In fact I know you don’t...
What rifle/ pistol are you reloading for or what are your aspirations?
This would make a difference in tools and equipment you will need.
In addition ‘ you can make great ammunition with strictly hand tools , just saying
J

Dig deep. Borrow. Get the LabRador.

In this day and age, there are two kinds of chronographs. LabRadars and those that sooner or later will be shot.

I have to agree, the LabRadar is the cats meow when it comes to chronographs. I've had one for a few years and it has of advantages over most of the others.

But, I'll agree, it is expensive.

I have had several Chronys over the years, two expired from "lead poisoning" (they got shot) and they worked fine. But, sometimes lighting conditions would make the bullet difficult for the chronograph to see.

Before the LabRadar, I bought a CED M2 chronograph. Once I bought the auxiliary lights for the chronograph, it functioned flawlessly. But it still has the sensor screen down range and the chance of the screens getting shot is a real possibility.

I also have a Magnetospeed chronograph. Mine is version 2 and really only works with rifle. Magnetospeed has made improvements to work better with handguns but I have no experience with them. The Magnetospeed system gives good results but fitting the bayonet to the barrel is a bit of a pain.

Any way, my recommendation is to get a LabRadar. But if the cost is an impediment, any optical sensor chronograph will serve you well but I would consider getting the auxiliary lights to go with it.

I feel a chronograph is a good tool to have but it is not the "be all to end all" tool.

It is nice to have a chronograph. Perhaps you can buy a used one cheap from the guys that are upgrading to the labradars and magnetospeeds.

I just went through this same exercise last week. After looking at all the options I decided to bite the bullet and went with the LabRadar. Don't get me wrong, it's damn expensive but has the best features for use with both handgun and rifle. You don't have to worry about the weather or inconsistencies of other chronos. Buy once and cry once.