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Post by warhawk on Jan 2, 2018 2:21:27 GMT -5
I’m in the market for a chronograph. I have previously owned a Shooting Chrony, which was fine. All I need is something simple, easy to set up and easy to store, mainly for handgun use but occasionally I’ll use it for rifle loads. I don’t need all the snazzy computer displays and all that, just a basic velocity is all I need to know.
Any suggestions?
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Post by AxeHandle on Jan 2, 2018 7:48:40 GMT -5
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941 
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Post by dhd on Jan 2, 2018 8:15:07 GMT -5
Having used a few Shooting Chony products over the years, I've been using an Oehler lately. The Oehler is a much more robust unit, and should be for the size and cost, and I'll not go back to any other chronograph.
As I typically only use a chronograph for initial load development, I don't need something such as a Labradar.
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Post by paul105 on Jan 2, 2018 9:21:32 GMT -5
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,428
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Post by JM on Jan 2, 2018 9:51:10 GMT -5
Chronograph Suggestions....Don't put a bullet through it. 
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Post by warhawk on Jan 2, 2018 20:22:16 GMT -5
Ordered one of these, thanks |
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Jan 5, 2018 9:38:13 GMT -5
Chronograph Suggestions....Don't put a bullet through it. I used the Chrony brand for chronographing BPCR's a lot, some years back. I had read many warnings about putting some sort of armor over the front of them otherwise a wad would take it out. As I'm smarter than the one's giving the warning, didn't worry about it. I had to box mine up and send it back for replacement. It seems the thicker wads punch a nice round hole through a part that obviously is pretty important. I ordered a set of their lexan covers and never had another issue with wads taking out the electronics. Though I use an Oehler 33 mostly now, I still use the old Chrony for the rare occasions I shoot my BPCR's. |
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Post by dougader on Jan 5, 2018 12:14:10 GMT -5
Caldwell is an economy model that's been working for me.
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,428
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Post by JM on Jan 5, 2018 12:26:29 GMT -5
Chronograph Suggestions....Don't put a bullet through it. I used the Chrony brand for chronographing BPCR's a lot, some years back. I had read many warnings about putting some sort of armor over the front of them otherwise a wad would take it out. As I'm smarter than the one's giving the warning, didn't worry about it. I had to box mine up and send it back for replacement. It seems the thicker wads punch a nice round hole through a part that obviously is pretty important. I ordered a set of their lexan covers and never had another issue with wads taking out the electronics. Though I use an Oehler 33 mostly now, I still use the old Chrony for the rare occasions I shoot my BPCR's. Mine has an extra decimal point after a 12hr. night shift & a new pellet gun.  Still works though. |
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Post by oddshooter on Jan 5, 2018 12:52:45 GMT -5
Chronograph Suggestions....Don't put a bullet through it. I once believed you had to be a dummy to do that. and now, I hate to call myself a dummy. How does it happen? You can see it ! Well no you can't when you're using a scope. and that scope can be mounted several inches above line of your barrel. That makes a triangle coming together at the target. I had a scoped 44 shooting heavy bullets slow and was hitting 12" high. I was on the bottom target on the page. I dropped my poa down to hold under the target. I never saw the chrony. I didn't destroy it, but I put a crease along the top edge. It still runs great. I was so embarrassed that I almost bought a new chrony so no one would see my rookie mistake. I felt like such a clone:) Prescut |
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jdoc
.327 Meteor
Posts: 727
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Post by jdoc on Jan 5, 2018 13:07:33 GMT -5
If you like to spend your money multiple times for one piece of instrumentation buy everything besides an Oehler 35P. |
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Post by bradshaw on Jan 5, 2018 13:53:00 GMT -5
"I use an Oehler 33 mostly now.”
----dhd
*****
For those new to the game, the Model 33 designed by chronograph technology inventor Dr. Kenneth Oehler (pronounced “A-ler”) flipped bullet velocity measurement on its head. Prior to the Oehler Model 33, we shot through acetate screens coated with a grid of electron-conducting silver. Required two of the pricey screens to calculate one shot. Simultaneous targeting was impossible. Although the process didn’t require overhead light, it was a tedious process. The Oehler 33 put Avtron and anyone else out of business. The Oehler 33 takes six D-cell batteries and has “electric eye” start & stop screens. The bullet casts a shadow over the first to start the clock, then passes over the second to stop the clock. Screen spacing is adjustable from 2 to 8 feet.
Unlike chronographs which use a printer, data from the Oehler 33 must be written down before going to the next load. The absence of a printer or need to hook up to a computer facilities reliable recording under adversity. I’ve used the Oehler 33 down to 20 below ZERO fahrenheit, where frostbite will attack the human faster than it incapacitates the machine. The D-cells allow this crazy usage; smaller batteries fail almost instantly.
If you can find an Oehler 33 you have a piece of working history. I don’t see these coming up for sale.
Ken Oehler offers a piece of sage advice: always aim at a target, even if you don’t simultaneously measure velocity & accuracy. Keep the target in the reading zone of the Skyscreens. Of course, Oehler never thought to put his Skyscreens right on top of the brain.
The Oehler Model 35P (“P” stands for Proof Channel) replaced the Oehler 33 decades ago. By incorporation two stop screens, the second channel at half the distance of the first, two velocities are taken from each bullet. Respective measurements agree within a small percentage, or an error is indicated. Numerous competitor chronographs have been introduced, most of which I’ve seen under varying conditions of weather and light. Overall, I would be hard pressed to trade my Oehler 33s and .35Ps for any of ‘em. The new LabRadar offers huge convenience, and so far is reliable, while costing more.
David Bradshaw
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450ak
.30 Stingray
Posts: 458
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Post by 450ak on Jan 5, 2018 14:18:04 GMT -5
The competition electronics chronograph is a good one. Buy the debris shield...... Bullet lube from a 500 S and W lever gun broke the LCD screen.
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Jan 5, 2018 20:01:02 GMT -5
I was incorrect in my numbers. I don't use the Oehler 33, it is the 35P. Brain fart on my part.
Thanks for the history lesson Mr Bradshaw. So many don't use a chronograph and don't realize how good of a pressure tool they can be. A fast barrel is only so fast. A very high velocity for caliber/load is high pressure. You ain't guessing when using a good chronograph.
I was correct in that I put a wad through my Shooting Chrony Master due to superior intellect (or "It can't happen to me" syndrome)......
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Post by Rimfire69 on Jan 6, 2018 10:38:40 GMT -5
My old blue Chrony has been a pretty solid piece, at 20 - 25 yrs old, its earned its keep. Early in its life, a friend shot an aluminum arrow a little low and hit the knuckle on the tri-pod and tumbled the whole thing down the driveway, still works. Another friend shot the diffusers out of it with a .45 acp and cracked the housing were the rods go, it still works.
I skidded a couple of pellets across the top of it, only minor marks and still works. A few years ago I came across a bunch of comercial cast bullets with rock hard lube, little piece's of lube likes to go through the front screen, looks terrible, but still works. I ended up making a platform for it with a screen gaurd and a larger mounting hole to be used on a commercial laser level tripod, something I should have done
when it was new. All in all, it has served me well but am ready for an update. The LabRadar is the one, I believe the higher price will be long forgotten after a few years of pleasurable use. I don't know what the Oehler is worth these days, but I bet there similarly priced.
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