Does anyone out there have any advise on selecting a chronograph. I'm trying to decide which one to buy and I would like to know any good or bad experiences that anyone has had.

The only one i have used is the f-1 chrony and it always did what it's suppose to, some of the more expensive ones may be a little more accurate i'm not sure but i never had any issues with the f-1.

I use a Pact mod 1 chronograph. It has served me well for the last 15 years. Had one problem with it and sent it back to the factory and recieved a new one for the cost of postage one way. No questions asked...

If all your looking to use it for is checking velocity, a Shooting Chrony F1 is a good choice. Not to expensive and very easy to use. I have had one for the last 6 years and have not had any trouble with it.

I use a Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital with flawless results.

I will check in with my choice. The CED Mellennium Cronograph is a great unit that even talks to you with the results of each shot as fired. And, the numbers are large enough for an ole goats eyes so it works great for me. Very accurate and dependable. Read all about it at these links.

www.cedhk.com/show.php/Object29
www.shootingsoftware.c...graphs.htm
www.steyrscout.org/ballisti.htm
www.eguns.com/CED/ced.html

The F1 is hard to beat for economics .. Ya dont really need a lot of the bells and whistles that come with some of the others .. F1 starts around $80 or so at Cabela's and can be upgraded ..
Can get a rebuilt one from the manufacturer for around $50 ..
Altho the Oehler Mobile Ballistics Lab is on my " Gotta Have " list ..
Jack

JO,
I haven't used my Beta Master yet but when I was looking some people recommened it. But as here a lot of people pointed out that the f-1 was a good place to start for $50 for a rebuilt from the company. At that time you could trade it in to the company for the $50 you paid if you wanted to move up later. Look at the options that the different models have and figure out how many you want/need. Do you want it to hold the memory of X number of strings calc. SD, etc., remote screen, print out, ability to download to a computer? Then figure out what you are willing/able to pay for the amount that you intent to use it. Compare and do any trade off between bells and the bank book. Ask questions. I've heard good about a number of chronos, don't remember any horror stories but I'm sure there are some.
Best of luck.

JO422: the chronograph is a must purchase for anyone wanting to develop their best handloads. Features that assist the process, other than velocity, include the Standard Deviation figure and an Average velocity figure. Having storable information that can be recalled later is a nice feature if you wish to interface with your computer at home. Whether you want a printer built in or other features is a matter of choice.

Shooting Chronys have models that allow all these functions and they are very reasonably priced, easy to operate and compact. They have a tendency to give more faults or non reads and they are more sensitive to proper light angles than other brands in my experience. For example, they are not easy to use around sunrise or sunset and sun angle is best if the sun is above the horizon by 30 degrees or more.

PACT is less light sensistive, has a wider screen spacing and represent another option if you don't mind the added bulk. When compared to the Shooting Chrony velocity readings seem more reliable and slightly more accurate.

Evenso, the Oehler can be a superb investment due to the third proof screen and absolute reliability. Their price has come down a tad, too. Setting this chronograph up is a little more involved but not overly tedious.
If you have enough natural light to see, you will get reliable readings.

I had an Ohler 35 for quite a few years but I had it in a box and mice ravaged all the cables.

I decided to give PACT a try and am Very Pleased with it. I have the Professional Chrono, Midway had them on sale and it came as a Christmas Present from my wife. I was considering the Ohler with 3 screens but it is quite a bit more in price and not quite as simple to operate. The results between the two IMO are not discernable. I used a friends in line with mine and there was less than 5fps variation, this was with the Ohler in front and then with the PACT in front. I have had no light issues and even made a light bar for use indoors. Works great and has a computer interface for updates etc. IMO a Great Buy for the $$$.

PS - So is their powder scale!

I use a Chrony master gamma. It has a printer and 200 or so shot strings. If you want to do a lot of shooting and load work ups, having the printout to study at home later helps a lot. It has worked without a hitch and I used it all summer.

Blaine

Any of the Shooting Chrony's will serve you well, and since the only people that haven't shot theirs are those that either don't have 'em or don't use 'em; $$ is a factor IMHO....

I'm on my second, and have no complaints(shot the first one.....sooooo it does happen)

I think at least for starting out, you can't beat them or their price, the higher $$ units are nice but for most of us you're paying for things you'll likely never use enough to justify the expense....

I have a very old Chrony F1 and it continues to work. If it ever fails or I shoot it I plan to buy an Oehler so I will have a proof channel. I have to use common sense with the Chrony as it gives a false reading every now and then. My 300 Mag muzzle blast blew out the paper thin faceplate so I installed a piece of plexiglas over it.

Hint: If you have or buy a laser bore sighter, use it to set up your Chronograph at the range. Only takes a few seconds and tells you exactly where the bullet will pass over the chronograph. You will never shoot the chronograph. Maybe that is a bad thing - no excuse to buy a better one....

I have a crony Delta... or maybe Beta, I forget. Works ok, I just have to move it back 10 ft or so if I'm shooting a high muzzleblast rifle. I bought some of the plexiglass guards for it to protect thigns when I shoot my muzzleloaders over it, makes cleanup soo much faster.

I'd love an Oehler but atm the crony works great.


-DallanC

Oehler 35p w/three screens and built in printer. had a cheaper one, friend shot it.