Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Chronograph

If you were looking at chronographs, what would you purchase? Why would you buy that brand and model? Never owned one so I am interested in you opinion. Thanks Daniel

I use an Oehler 35P. Hell, I bet it would work for Rl19 and a 165 grain 30-06 load.

Oehler 35P is probably the gold standard, or has been.

It's sorta big and complicated. If it could be assembled and kept at a range, ready to be rolled out into position, probably OK.

I don't want to have to set all that up every time.

The Magnetospeed is pretty neat, but hangs on the barrel, which I don't like. I rigged up a free standing version, but that takes some doing.

The LabRadar seems to be about the newest, coolest one so far. It's not cheap and reportedly won't pick up very light weight bullets. I've never used one.

There are less expensive ones, like the PACT, which work pretty well. You can have sensor issues with daylight, sun, shadows, etc., but they're pretty good for what they cost.

DF

I got pretty good at it.

How much do you want to spend?

Mathman, I finally got somewhat of an educated guess! But at this point, don't care what it is! It is going to be my elk hunting load this fall. Approximately 3 inch drop from 100 yds to 200 yds. and still about 3/4 inch MOA.

Btw where are the best source to look at. Need to get one ordered, the banker is gone this week!

Thanks Daniel

Cost wise ,, about mid range.

Some quick reverse engineering off the 3" drop suggests something like 2800 fps. Is that near your educated guess?

Midway has a decent selection. The ProChrono Digital is your best bet in the $100 range unless you want to spend significantly more. I would not recommend a Shooting Chrony; been there and won't go back.

JB had good things to say about one of the cheaper chronos, may be the ProChrono. May want to do a Search, check the Fire archives to make sure.

I have a PACT which is pretty good. The old one died after 20 yrs, sent it back. It was so old, they sold me a new one for much less than retail.

DF

Mathman, that is somewhat faster than my SWAG. 2650 was what the Speer bullet tech came up with based on information I gave him. If 2800 I may back off half a grain. How much confidence do you have in your swag? Thanks Daniel

Not that much. I just played with the Hornady calculator and your approximate drop.

Ok, either one of the estimates could be correct or not! I think it is fast enough to
take care of an elk out to max distance outfitter said we would be shooting. Thanks Daniel

I sprung for the LabRadar last spring and used it through the summer for new load development, for rifles only at this point. It is what they say it is. Very easy to set up and very easy to use overall, though I did have to develop a feel for where to sit the thing for certain rifles, especially if they were ported. I purchased the optional base, so the LabRadar simply sits on the shooting bench within reach. I'm a fan.