What do you use your Chrono for ?

[JimSC]

when load developing I like to look for flat spots in the velocity or like this one see how consistent the ammo is in practice. This one told me I needed to back to my 23.5 load. I use a inexpensive ProChrono with the Digital link software on a Samsung tablet, I get instant feedback as well as a digital record I can use in spreadsheets. My secondary use is just to get a avg velocity for my scope come ups

So what does everyone else use theirs for ? Does anyone use the Labradar's downrange data to check or calculate the bullets BC ?

 

[varget204]

I use magnetspeed sporter,have a Gamma Chrony w/ printer: but a lot of places do to slope of ground,can not get tripod for it,high enough to use it.Use it for velocity nodes and DOPE info

 

[dstoenner]

I use a magnetospeed sport also. Load development and getting my average before a match. I have never been worse than the 8 ring for my first sighted at 1000.

David

 

[JimSC]

I use magnetspeed sporter,have a Gamma Chrony w/ printer: but a lot of places do to slope of ground,can not get tripod for it,high enough to use it.Use it for velocity nodes and DOPE info

so you basically use it for the same thing I do. Now I wish I had looked to see if there was a way to insert a poll in these threads.

I am lucky I live in a area that is completely flat at the time so I had never considered the tripod and alignment issues. I will be moving in a year or so to a hillier region so that may be an issue. I do my alignment using a laser boresighter and a piece of $ store foam board. While the range is hot center your crosshairs where your target is or will be and insert the boresighter. When the range goes cold it a simple matter to align the bore on the front and back sensors using a piece of foam board to see where the red dot. Check at both the front and rear diffusers a couple of times and getting the chrono aligned to the bore. I have no idea if that would help in a hilly area but it makes positioning a lot faster and more accurate on level ground. I might have to consider a magnetospeed when I move.

edit I think I would have to get the full blown kit though. I have a variety of barrel contours from bull to pencil and with and without brakes

 

[NorCalMikie]

Set mine up just to see how it worked. It worked, wasn't impressed so it went back in the box and bag, never to be used again. Been stashed for about 5 or 6 years. And the thing that amazes me? I can still produce a 5 shot group from the bench that I can cover with a dime. Rain or shine, sun or overcast I still get bug holes. Did have a Magnetospeed for about a month, never took it out of the box so it went down the road to someone that thought they need it more than I did.

 

[jepp2]

So what does everyone else use theirs for ?

Check velocities during load development (based on QuickLoad calculations). ES & SD, While I always watch for pressure signs, they show up on the chrono first. And equate velocity to OBT for node identification.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Since getting the LabRadar, I shoot every single round across it, and to me it's a game changer.

You can see how temps affect your load (beyond just taking a calculators word for it), when your barrel is done speeding up, if a new lot of bullets or powder are behaving differently, trends related to 1st shot/clean barrels, provides instant feedback if there's a problem, etc.

I haven't had my LR for very long, but if it ever broke, I'd buy another LR same day.

I don't use mine to calculate BCs. I rely on Litz's testing for that.

 

[BartsBullets]

I have and use a Labradar and Magnetospeed! My program is built Around them.

Bart

 

[JimSC]

very cool.

I am starting to seriously consider getting one or at least downloading the user manual and reading it. The behind the line setup is looking better and better. I'd like to ask a couple of questions about the magnetospeed from you guys that are using one?

Are the variances in velocities between the two Magnetospeed and the Labradar consistent ? Would 5 shots on a Magnetospeed give me a reliable number to put into Strelok and at least be in the nine ring on a calm cloudy day at 800 assuming that the equipment and I do our part?

How much is the POI affected by the Magnetospeed. Can I zero a rifle at 100 and do the nine ring again or would I need to do my zeroing and speed test separately ?

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Are the variances in velocities between the two Magnetospeed and the Labradar consistent ? Would 5 shots on a Magnetospeed give me a reliable number to put into Strelok and at least be in the nine ring on a calm cloudy day at 800 assuming that the equipment and I do our part?

How much is the POI affected by the Magnetospeed. Can I zero a rifle at 100 and do the nine ring again or would I need to do my zeroing and speed test separately ?

In the testing between my MSV3 and LR, they're within 1-5 FPS of eachother.

Yes, I've found the MS to be extremely reliable in terms of giving you accurate velocities to put into your calculator.

As far as you getting into the 9 ring on a cold bore shot, it really doesn't have much to do with your chronograph; you can trust the numbers from either the LR or MS are going to be accurate enough that the velocity wouldn't be a contributing factor to a miss. I'd worry more about the weather/wind/condition/BC variables you're putting into your calculator. I would also advise knowing what the rifle is going to do cold vs. warmed up.

The POI shift varies based on a number of factors; in my experience, barrel length and contour will dictate just how much movement you're going to get. That said, every barrel I've put it on (upwards of 30) has experienced POI shift to some degree. A 22" M24 contour in .223 will not shift as much as a 26" sporter contour in 30-06 etc. Even on the same gun, will also see the POI shift based on where the MS is attached to the barrel, what degree the blade is angled, and how tight you've got the thing cranked on there; it's basically a big barrel tuner, and not a terribly consistent one.

You would absolutely want to zero your rifle without the MS attached. That's the main 'problem' (if you even consider it a problem based on your use case) with the MS. You can't zero, load develop, 'count' (accuracy wise) the shots you take with it attached.

There are multiple options for mounting a MS off the rifle; if you've got a stock/chassis that will support one of those mounting options, then it's as good as a LR.

 

[mongo chicago]

Had a Chrony Pro. P.I.A. to set up and use. Just got a Magnetospeed. Very happy. I use it to do a ballistic chart so I can get an idea of adjusting for extended range.

 

[JimSC]

Thanks for that Mike, that told me what I needed to know. Been over reading the manual at their site so I am mulling it over. I am about 90% convinced to buy one. Think I will wait till I relocate though. Got enough stuff to move already, no need to add more to it. I may end up with a piece of property large enough where I can play with centerfires for ammo testing anyway. That or find a local 100 yard range that is within a few miles and is slow on week days or buy a Magnetospeed

 

[Metal God]

To collect dust , I’ve not used mine in a couple years . I should add I’ve not done a lot of load development in that time .

When I do use it , it’s just another tool helping me understand loads . Of course i always want to know my final velocities but I use it more to help understand pressures . If I’m getting higher velocities then the charge should be getting . I know my pressures are getting high regardless of what my primers look like .

I was doing a 5.56 load development using 55gr bullet and H-335 out of a 16” barrel . I was getting 3200fps and had zero pressure signs to include very rounded primers still . I however knew based on the Velocities , I was getting close to max pressure . So I stopped increasing the charges .

 

[Twoboxer]

I've had and used optical, MS V1, and currently the Labradar.

In my experience, my MS V1 would shift the POI a variable amount up to ~2" at 100 yds. The shift could be varied by slight movements of the strap fore/aft or around the barrel as well as by making the strap tighter or looser. Some have advanced the theory that muzzle blast off the bayonet is causing POI to shift opposite the bayonet, but my own testing did not support that.

The shift in POI and its variability forced me to use it to chrono additional rounds rather than actual load development rounds. This made the data far less useful to me, forced additional rounds down the barrel, and necessarily limited the sample size of chrono'd rounds. I have no experience with later versions of the MS or alternative mounts.

The LR solved those problems for me. Not only are actual load development rounds chrono'd, but the LR's ease of use allows chronoing of virtually ALL my shots. This dramatically increases the available sample size for ES and SD.

IMO the LR is not terribly useful for adjusting BC's. The max range of likely accuracy I've seen on 30 cal rounds is about 75 yards. Around that point you will notice that the pattern of decreasing MV begins to change unnecessarily, and the next millisecond's reading may show a gain in velocity rather than a decline. The most significant differences between published and actual BCs occur mostly at distances beyond the LR's range.

 

[JimSC]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Lot of info here. Seems like most are using their chronos for analyzing load development and getting a starting point for scope dope. Same thing I use mine for. I do my load rough development with both velocity data and group size then plugging it all into a spreadsheet. So if I switched the the MS I would have to redo my whole way of thinking. I'll still end up getting one though eventually. It would handy to do a quick velocity check when the temp changes and they are lot easier to pack to the range than a optical and tripod setup. I will probably jump on one next time someone has a sale on them just to have as a backup/second chrono.

 

[fantastic]

Sometimes I press the pushers to play with the chronograph. I never really use it for any useful purpose. And when I intend to, I forget it's running and notice it going a few hours later.

If I didn't have a iPhone then maybe I'd use it for practical purposes.

 

[garandman]

Is this a trick question?

Im low tech. Got a Magneto speed, and I use it for checking velocity, SD and ES.

 

[hogpatrol]

so you basically use it for the same thing I do. Now I wish I had looked to see if there was a way to insert a poll in these threads.

I am lucky I live in a area that is completely flat at the time so I had never considered the tripod and alignment issues. I will be moving in a year or so to a hillier region so that may be an issue. I do my alignment using a laser boresighter and a piece of $ store foam board. While the range is hot center your crosshairs where your target is or will be and insert the boresighter. When the range goes cold it a simple matter to align the bore on the front and back sensors using a piece of foam board to see where the red dot. Check at both the front and rear diffusers a couple of times and getting the chrono aligned to the bore. I have no idea if that would help in a hilly area but it makes positioning a lot faster and more accurate on level ground. I might have to consider a magnetospeed when I move.

edit I think I would have to get the full blown kit though. I have a variety of barrel contours from bull to pencil and with and without brakes

Post new thread link, scroll down to the bottom of the page for setting up a poll thread.

 

[chop house]

magnetospeed ALWAYS on first shot of new rifle, new barrel, new powder, and/or new load as a check on MYSELF and on the LOAD DATA.

 

[GaryL1959]

A buddy borrowed my Caldwell chrono....and apparently used it for a target. Dead center of the box, first shot.