Chronographs

[wayno945]

What chronographs do you guys use? Been looking at the Oehler chronos but they are pricey. Are they worth it?

 

[DrMike]

The Oehler 35 is the elite among chronographs. The proof channel works like a charm. If you want to save a few drachmas, look at one of the Shooting Chrony chronographs, a PACT or a CED, all of which work quite well. I have two Shooting Chrony Betas and an Oehler 35; I use each of them at different times.

 

[gerry]

Saving a few drachma's is always good

I have a Shooting Chrony Beta Master and it works good most of the time, they can give you a few strange readings but over all are good. Not in the same class and an Oehler but mine works.

 

[wayno945]

Anyone have experience with these barrel mounted ones?

http://www.magnetospeed.com/

 

[DrMike]

I've seen them, but chose not to use them. Despite the manufacturers implied claims, I would be suspicious that they are liable to distorted readings due to blast dynamics. Moreover, I would be quite surprised if they did not alter barrel harmonics, which would render accuracy testing unreliable if you sought to obtain that data simultaneously. Buy one and try it. I'd be interested to hear a real world test. If it works well, I can see how it could be quite useful.

 

[257 Ackley]

I would be suspicious that they are liable to distorted readings due to blast dynamics. Moreover, I would be quite surprised if they did not alter barrel harmonics, which would render accuracy testing unreliable if you sought to obtain that data simultaneously.

My thoughts exactly. When doing load work there are two important factors that I look for in a recipe; velocity and accuracy. It doesn't help having a real fast load if the group looks like a shotgun pattern. The harmonics will definitly be effected by the strap around the barrel. Spend another $150 and get the Oehler.

 

[sask boy]

I have the Chrony Beta Master and it works fine

Blessings,
Dan

 

[FOTIS]

 

[elkeater2]

Fotis, I have found that 25 lb. bags of shot work well here in Wyo for keeping the 'breeze' from tipping the screens over... :lol: :lol:
EE2

 

[JD338]

I have an Oehler 35

JD338

 

[Charlie-NY]

I've owned a 35P for many years. My buddy shoots a Chrony with remote read, not sure which model. As a test, I placed his screens right behind my Oehler screens and shot several different cartridges through the screens simultaneously. I expected the Chrony to read slightly slower (if at all) because they were behind my screens, even though they were as close as physically possible.

To my surprise, the Chrony gave readings almost exactly 100 ft/sec FASTER with every round fired. We took a break, allowed the sun to move to a different angle and repeated the experiment. However, the results were the same.

I was so bother by not knowing if my readings from the Oehler were accurate that I packed the whole thing up, including the screens, and shipped it back to Oehler. After a bench test and actual shooting over my set-up with laboratory ammo, Oehler confirmed that my 35P was indeed quite accurate.

Knowing that a chronograph can be consistently inaccurate, all chronograph users should consider them to be a helpful tool but NOT the last word on velocity or the interpreted pressure that is calculated from the velocity readouts by many shooters.

Too bad there is not an easy & effective method to testing all these chronographs that are out there. It would be a good subject for a major shooting magazine to explore and report on.

 

[JD338]

Good points Charlie.

Once I did get my chronograph, I wondered how I ever did my load development with out one.
The Oehler 35 has never let me down.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

YUP Shot bags on the tripods work well.

 

[HomerOz]

G'Day Fella's,

I have been shooting over (and occasionally THRU) the sky screens of my Oehler 35P, for many decades now!
Sure they may be a bit expensive, but the only problems that I have ever had with it was ME!!!
Eg; Shooting the screens, Flat 9 volt Battery or run out of paper, in the printer (I'm on my 5th roll of paper).

I was using it over the past weekend, to test some .25-06, 6.5 x 47 Lapua and the mighty .338 Lap Mag!
See the attached image for a view of the velocities I was achieving with 250grn Woodleigh Bullets (Sorry Mr Nosler), and ADI 2217/H1000 Powder!

 

[FOTIS]

I've owned a 35P for many years. My buddy shoots a Chrony with remote read, not sure which model. As a test, I placed his screens right behind my Oehler screens and shot several different cartridges through the screens simultaneously. I expected the Chrony to read slightly slower (if at all) because they were behind my screens, even though they were as close as physically possible.

To my surprise, the Chrony gave readings almost exactly 100 ft/sec FASTER with every round fired. We took a break, allowed the sun to move to a different angle and repeated the experiment. However, the results were the same.

I was so bother by not knowing if my readings from the Oehler were accurate that I packed the whole thing up, including the screens, and shipped it back to Oehler. After a bench test and actual shooting over my set-up with laboratory ammo, Oehler confirmed that my 35P was indeed quite accurate.

Knowing that a chronograph can be consistently inaccurate, all chronograph users should consider them to be a helpful tool but NOT the last word on velocity or the interpreted pressure that is calculated from the velocity readouts by many shooters.

Too bad there is not an easy & effective method to testing all these chronographs that are out there. It would be a good subject for a major shooting magazine to explore and report on.

Hence the proof channel of the Oehler 35 Charlie. The suspect readings get flagged!

 

[Woodycreek]

You guys are going to make me get rid of the CED and get the Oehler 35.

 

[FOTIS]

Not if it works for you...

 

[Woodycreek]

Not really. Light conditions need to be almost perfect some days at the range with the CED.

 

[FOTIS]

Then go for it. You will not regret it. That much I can tell you.