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Beta Chrony

Was out to the range the other day mind you it was exactly 30 degrees above zero. First time using this chrony. Question i have is the manual said it needs to be 32 above for functioning temp. Could this have given me a velocity spread out of the norm? Reason i ask is i had like 100 - 125 fps spread in a 5 shot group. These are handloads same brass lot same powder lot same charge same bullet lot same seating depth same wait time between fired shots. The first shot in the 5 shot groups was always the fastest then losing velocity to 4th shot then slowly coming back up. Just thought it was weird. My lack of experience with the chrony is probably my problem but thought i would ask
 
Mine is a bit scared of the cold as well. It only likes to work when it 40 or above. That's why I bought another chronograph, as it's often cold up here in Maine. But that one kinda sucks in the cold as well, go figure. :(
 
Bought a new Beta Chrony 2 months ago, used it once at around 50 degrees. Waiting for warm temps now.

Make sure you have the cover fully open - that can cause erratic results.
 
It was fully open mounted on tripod no wind sky screens were in place. The velocities listed were close to what was expected just was curious as to if anyone had the same problem. Kinda sucks as i live in minnesota and most of my hunting and such is done in cool to cold temps and these are the loads i wanted to chrony to get a little better idea of bullet drop and such.
 
bobcat30 said:
My lack of experience with the chrony is probably my problem but thought i would ask

The best way to use a Chronograph? Tune your load first.

Find the best bullet, powder, primer, seating, and neck tension combination for your barrel that puts bullets through the same hole or creates tight clover leaf groups.

When you've achieved that: Then chronograph the load and record your velocities for future use of the same powder but of a different lot. That will help you get close to your tune with the new lot.

There's nothing magical about a chronograph. Most folks try to back into the best load by using the chrony/chronograph first. That's time consuming and more often than not an aggravating experience.
 
I live in MN too, and just got the F1 Master. I simply thought the above freezing issue was the LCD screen needing above temps to function.
Barrel/Action warming can/could change the velocity enough to account for the 100fps variant. I always sight for the first cold shot anyways.

Even with that reading, you should get a good idea of drop in any ballistics program.
I use Hodgdons Exteme powders for my hunting loads, the "less temprature sensitive" part they brag on seems to be true, ;D

But as said, any chrono can get you second guessing your pet load.
 
I, too, have a Beta Chroney.

I would get varying indications each time I used it. But, as I'm pretty stubborn, I did something outlandish! I read the instructions!

Since then, I have had very consistant results with it. The main thing I started doing was 1. set it as level as I can. I use a VERY heavy photograpy tri pod with built in levels. 2. I wrapped blue painters taps around each sky screen support that extends the range of recommended bullet travel. 3. Then I set the rifle so the bore looks down along the center line and the appropriate height above the lenses.

No problems since. Except for getting both high SD as well as low SD runs, depending on load. But, that's what I bought it for! Sometimes I use this tripod for a spotting scope and use a spindly one for the chroney. It is O.K. but not as consistant, which is understandable. The last time I used it it was 47 deg F. Trying a new powder, RL-17, in my 243 WIN and got SD's from 8 to 15. I cheated a bit as I started based on data from H4350, and checked against the H1000 load I used the last 1 1/2 years. RL-17 shot better, at least at 47 deg!

By the way, I had heard RL-17 is temp stable, but drops off faster below 55 deg F. I believe that. I got about 100fps less at 47 then at 65 deg.
 
The results are always amazing when one follows the instructions provided by the designer and manufacturer of a product. I wonder why folks are reluctant to do that from the start?
 

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