Chronograph Perfromance Review

[DocUSMCRetired]

The Applied Ballistics Laboratory recently performed a comprehensive review of chronograph performance. This review is published in the book "Modern Advancements in Long Range Shooting". You can read the full chapter on chronograph testing here:

http://appliedballisticsllc.com/Articles/ChronographChapter.pdf

Based on our testing of available chronographs, we've decided to become a dealer of the Magnetospeed: http://store.appliedballisticsllc.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=4000

Here's one short excerpt from the above link:
"The MagnetoSpeed takes the prize for the modern advancement
in chronograph technology. The instrument isn’t necessarily more
accurate than the older Oehler units, but the use of electromagnetic
sensors provides comparable accuracy and precision in a very
different package which is easier to use. The accuracy and precision
performance of the MagnetoSpeed combined with its ease of set-up
and use are good examples of modern technology being put to good
use in ballistics instrumentation. The MagnetoSpeed is gaining
popularity in many applications including military snipers who need
a small instrument they can deploy with and check velocities of
different lots of issued ammo without setting up large instruments.
The potential effect on barrel harmonics was a big concern of mine
initially, but it just hasn’t been a real issue for the kinds of rifles and
testing I’ve done with it."

Knowing your true Muzzle Velocity is very important to accurate load development and trajectory prediction. We're impressed with both the accuracy and ease of use of the MagnetoSpeed unit.

-Bryan

 

[savageshooter86]

I just saw this Very interesting coming from someone who knows

 

[jrm850]

Yikes. Anyone want to buy a lightly used SuperChrono?

 

[normmatzen]

Maybe now folks will accept what us early adopters have been saying about the Magnetospeed ever since they appeared!

Now we have legitimate Lab test data to put the anecdotal evidence to rest.

Yes, the Magnetospeed is accurate, yes it is easy to use.
And, Yes, it can actually be used during competition and will essentially not up set barrel tune!

 

[Rustystud]

Hurry up and test the "Lab Radar" Chronograph.

Nat Lambeth

 

[savageshooter86]

+1 Nat

 

[Rustystud]

Hurry up and test the "Lab Radar" Chronograph.

I have 4 of the units you tested and my test was setting the units up in a row an firing over them. I saw greater variations with the CED II. The Oehler 35P was the standard, the Magneto speed was a close second, third was the Chrony and a distant fourth was the CED II. Had a friend John7mm08 here on the forum he had a CED II and we compared his unit to my unit with the same shots and there was a 135 fps difference in the two identical units. I have the IR screens and we saw no difference using them vs the ambient light screens.

Nat Lambeth

 

[UltraBR30]

Applied Ballistic -

Great review. Thanks for sharing.
Philip

 

[UltraBR30]

Maybe now folks will accept what us early adopters have been saying about the Magnetospeed ever since they appeared!

Now we have legitimate Lab test data to put the anecdotal evidence to rest.

Yes, the Magnetospeed is accurate, yes it is easy to use.
And, Yes, it can actually be used during competition and will essentially not up set barrel tune!

I agree, they are a accurate chronograph. Really haven't seen anyone saying they weren't (as it seems you are implying).
But several have seen them effect the barrels tune, me included.

How many competitive sports would let you have one hanging on your rifle at a match?
From a safety standpoint alone non that I'm aware. But also do to weight rules to some sports since the whole unit would have to be added as an attachment (bayonet, cord, display).

Glad you like the MagnetoSpeed. I like mine very well to. But I also understand there limitations.
Philip

 

[savageshooter86]

I don't think it's illegal to use in fclass as far as

 

[CPorter]

I have a CED and the CED M2. The spacing for the units can be set in 2' increment from 2 to 8'. Using square tubing it should be able to approach the same rigidity that the rigid conduit the Oehler. The side supports for the sky screens on the CED have too much sail area and it would be nice if CED could engineer a different solution that would help make it less sensitive to wind effects.

 

[CatShooter]

I have a CED and the CED M2. The spacing for the units can be set in 2' increment from 2 to 8'. Using square tubing it should be able to approach the same rigidity that the rigid conduit the Oehler. The side supports for the sky screens on the CED have too much sail area and it would be nice if CED could engineer a different solution that would help make it less sensitive to wind effects.

I also have a CED and CED-II... plus an Oehler 33 and 35. I do not find the CED square tubes to be wobble prone, in fact they are a great improvement over the hardware store conduit that the Oehler uses.

 

[normmatzen]

ULTRABR30

Yes, I did stretch things a bit. I don't use mine in competition, but my feriend in Australia uses his for every club match , F Class.

I do use mine a lot for practice and the major effect is that the electric field around the two sensors create a slight upward acceleration of the bullet causing some where between 0.5 to 1 MOA up-shift in POI. But, this is very consistent.

I have barrel tuners on both my long range bench rest guns and the presence of the Magnetospeed creates such a slight de-tune of the tuner that I don't worry about it.

I think the effect is a function of how well tuned the gun is. If well tuned, by either careful load setting or barrel tuner, the Q is such that the barrel is well in tune over a slight range that includes load deviation as well as the very slight weighting the Magnetospeed adds to the barrel. This is neither lab data nor anecdotal evidence, It is simply my opinion!

 

[jcampbellsmith]

In an ideal world I would chrono every shot I fire. This was my third purchase in my search for a good chrono. The previous two went back to the vendors.

Regards

JCS

 

[CPorter]

Catshooter,
I based my comments on the results of the review. The only times I have noticed the hinged square tube being an issue was when the wind would catch the sunscreen and lift the free end up. Using a solid tube threaded for a tripod negates that but isn't as convenient.

 

[tmill]

I have been very pleased with Caldwell Chronograph. I have no way to determine it's accuracy. How do you determine accuracy of any chronometer? Is there some standard?

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

Test it against another chronograph.

 

[tmill]

Interesting answer. Thanks

 

[BCoates]

Thank you for sharing your test data. I have a Magnetospeed v1 and have confidence in it. The only thing I have notice is I cannot develop a load with an SD less than 5 fps with most being in the 6-9 fps range. Your testing helps explain why.

Thanks again,
BC

 

[tmill]

Thank you for sharing your test data. I have a Magnetospeed v1 and have confidence in it. The only thing I have notice is I cannot develop a load with an SD less than 5 fps with most being in the 6-9 fps range. Your testing helps explain why.

Thanks again,
BC

What testing are you referencing?