Chronograph recommendation

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shotgun sam
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Chronograph recommendation

#1 Post by shotgun sam »

Hi
Looking for a recommendation for a chronograph that will be used for air pistols, air rifles and for my centrefires.
mossberg 500
meteor mk2
smk 19 (0.22)
ruger 12/22 stainless synthetic 22lr
cz 452 style 16 inch 22lr
tikka t3 lite stainless 223
308 howa 1500 varmint
BSA Lightning XL (0.22)
Lanber Over and Under
Baikal mp153
AYA Cosmos 410
1917 BSA SMLE 303
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DaveB
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Re: Chronograph recommendation

#2 Post by DaveB »

I do not own a chronograph, I went all-in and bought a Doppler radar. https://mylabradar.com/ I think it's worth it.

The other possibility is Magnetospeed. https://magnetospeed.com/products/v3-ba ... hronograph Several people I know use these and they seem pretty happy with them.
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Les
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Re: Chronograph recommendation

#3 Post by Les »

Chrony F1 or Caldwell Ballistic Precision. The Chrony F1 has been around since Moses was a lad, and it's stood the test of time.
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Pete
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Re: Chronograph recommendation

#4 Post by Pete »

I'm not sure if you'll find one that does air guns and firearms........

https://www.airgunmagazine.co.uk/featur ... onographs/

And for firearms, I'd go for a Labradar.

Pete
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knewmans

Re: Chronograph recommendation

#5 Post by knewmans »

I think the labradar works with airguns but uses an external trigger device.
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Re: Chronograph recommendation

#6 Post by ukrifleman »

Les wrote: Sun Aug 22, 2021 5:07 am Chrony F1 or Caldwell Ballistic Precision. The Chrony F1 has been around since Moses was a lad, and it's stood the test of time.
I heard that Chrony have gone out of business which is a pity.

I put some 7.5x53.5 Swiss cast loads through my Chrony F1 and my club's lab radar and the average deviation was only 5fps.

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Re: Chronograph recommendation

#7 Post by Racalman »

Les wrote: Sun Aug 22, 2021 5:07 am Chrony F1 or Caldwell Ballistic Precision. The Chrony F1 has been around since Moses was a lad, and it's stood the test of time.
I had a Chrony F1 and when it worked it was OK but it was very fussy about the sky. When it stopped working it was a major pain because unless you could get everyone on the firing point to stand down you couldn't go forward to fiddle with it. I now use a Magnetospeed which is far and away a better device. The current model V3 claims to work with airguns. Not cheap though.
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Pete
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Re: Chronograph recommendation

#8 Post by Pete »

Which is the same path I followed, Chrony first, trying a Magnetospeed next, then moving on to a Labradar...........I could have saved some money.......

Pete
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rox
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Re: Chronograph recommendation

#9 Post by rox »

shotgun sam wrote: Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:01 pmLooking for a recommendation for a chronograph
This big difference for me is that with optical and magnetic chronos I'm either chronographing or shooting. With a LabRadar I can do both simultaneously.

A Magnetospeed changes the POI*, the balance of the rifle, it resonates on firing, and may affect barrel harmonics and thereby influence the behaviour of the load. Optical chronographs require shooting through the screens as close to the middle as possible, and as consistently as possible in the same position. One is also concious of the need to avoid hitting the screens, sensors and the rest of the chrono (isn't that right, Ovenpaa!). Combining these with shooting accurately at a target requires *very* careful alignment of the chrono, and takes some of the concentration away from the target. The LabRadar allows you to collect data with no interference, so you can collect data practically every time you shoot, if you want. This facilitates testing more combinations and variations, gathering enough data on which to make statistically significant decisions, etc etc. I have a Magnetospeed Sporter, and I've used it to develop loads that have been extremely successful for me, but these days I use a borrowed LabRadar whenever I want to collect velocity info.

*I know the Magnetospeed changes the POI, but I don't know ho consistently it does so. That doubt means I don't really trust the groups or position of shots fired with it on.
** I don't know whether any of these devices work with air rifles/pistols.
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Re: Chronograph recommendation

#10 Post by Pete »

And must-have accessories for the Labradar are 1066's remote trigger and sighting aid. (Hope I've got the right guy...!)

Pete
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