Chronographs - Which one?

[SVT_Tactical]

So as I dive more into load development I know I need to bite the bullet and get a good chronograph. Given what's available currently, what's the best to buy? I'd rather buy once / cry once to get a good setup than buy cheap and not know its accurate or tricky to get readings with. I read on here a bit and between labrador and oehler, those pop up as the two higher rated ones. Labradar seems to be hard to find. The magnetospeed V3 pops up as a good one as well but will it affect barrel harmonics as well when using an EC tuner.
Suggestions?

 

[Ccrider]

LabRadar. Nothing else comes close.

 

[rijndael]

The magnetospeed V3 pops up as a good one as well but will it affect barrel harmonics

Yes. Anytime you hang a weight off your barrel it will impact harmonics. You can get an off-barrel mount, like the Wiser Precision mount.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I had an Oehler. I didn't like the setup time. Have a labradar now. Works great as long as you get the remote trigger to mount on the gun.

 

[3Ackleys]

Have had the Labradar 3 years now. If it breaks im getting another.

 

[Chiquita]

The magneto speed may affect the POI, and it may not? In fact it may improve the POI. (Although I have not tested that, yet)

Assuming it has an effect on POI, you can tune the load and turrets according to that and always leave the magneto on the barrel. Otherwise, after getting your numbers for your load take the magneto off and adjust the POI and you are good to go.

Isn't this true?

 

[SVT_Tactical]

only wish Labradar was in stock somewhere... 12 week wait from Labradar directly.

 

[effendude]

I like my Magnetospeed V3. Quick, easy, often times I can run to the range, strap it on, fire a few shots for a velocity window and be back in the truck in a couple minutes. I think it is the best value out there.
Scott

 

[HandgunHTR]

Has Magnetospeed come up with one that will work with a suppressor yet? If so, I may consider getting one.

 

[SG4247]

I have both, but use the magnetospeed the most.

I can mount it up, rip off some shots and be done.

They both are very accurate and correlate to each other remarkably well.

 

[SSL]

So as I dive more into load development I know I need to bite the bullet and get a good chronograph. Given what's available currently, what's the best to buy? I'd rather buy once / cry once to get a good setup than buy cheap and not know its accurate or tricky to get readings with. I read on here a bit and between labrador and oehler, those pop up as the two higher rated ones. Labradar seems to be hard to find. The magnetospeed V3 pops up as a good one as well but will it affect barrel harmonics as well when using an EC tuner.
Suggestions?

I'll be replacing my Chrony with a ManetoSpeed simply because of price-point in comparison to the Labradar. Not a competitive shooter, I only chronograph after working up loads and seldom thereafter, so it is hard for me to justify the price difference. The MagnetoSpeed will likely affect POI, but I seldom have the patience to tediously align my Chrony perfectly to shoot for groups while testing velocity anyway. I just make sure it's aligned to at least hit my backstop (private) and let fly. I generally work on finding a promising load with a particular bullet/powder combination and then waste a few bullets to chronograph the results. At least with the MagnetoSpeed I don't need to jockey with a tripod and fiddle with adjusting angle, height, sunshades and etc. to keep from shooting it...which I have done with two Chrony's (one with a friend's .223 with an unnoticed loose front scope mount and the second with a .45-70 when my make-shift bench collapsed just as the trigger broke).

 

[muleman69]

We have both, lab is A+++++

 

[JMayo]

Nobody is talking about the most sold & used chronograph ... Caldwell.

I'll be trying out a g2 when weather allows.

Bluetooth excites me ! Lol

 

[effendude]

Has Magnetospeed come up with one that will work with a suppressor yet? If so, I may consider getting one.

I've run mine with Thunderbeast cans installed. Just remove the spacers until it fits. Not perfect but it works
Scott

 

[darkangel_r2]

Keep in mind when making a decision that if it touches your barrel it will effect the load. I saw significant point of impact change hanging a magneto off of my barrel. So if you want to get useful POI, barrel harmonics, group size and velocity data at the same time you will need a chrono that doesn't touch the barrel.

 

[3Sigma]

Another point with the magnetospeed...

If you use a brake, suppressor, or your tuner, you need to make sure it isn't too long or the bayonet won't reach. POI will shift on thinner (#3 or less) barrels, but none of my HV barrels see a change.

I had to pull the 5 port brake off my barrel for initial velocity measurements on a 338 Edge. It sucked.

I'm looking at a Caldwell or chrony for pistol and situations like that one. A Labradar sounds great, but with batteries, a case, a mount, it will be close to $1000 all in. Pretty steep.

 

[SVT_Tactical]

I think to have one that will do all and be a good investment should I later sell the Labrador is the best option.

 

[wkdickinson]

+1 for MagnetoSpeed V3. I don't believe in one-shot ladder or OCW testing.. So I only use a crono to establish MV data, after I've found a load that works on the target, I've owned a V3 for about 3 years. It has NEVER missed recording a shot, over hundreds of shots. It's easy to use and small.

 

[jepp2]

Suggestions?

Only to give you a different viewpoint.

I don't have a Labradar and will probably never get one. Not a decision based on $$. More to do with the fact I shoot 17 and 20 cal in addition to everything else and those "might" be an issue. Also I read about enough issues with getting alignment proper and triggering that might be part of the learning curve and equipment.

I refuse to strap something to my barrel. I shoot EVERYTHING over my chrony (every single shot). I feel the data is invaluable to me for comparing with Quickload projections and OBT calculations. And I want to know where the bullet groups unaffected by anything.

I'm a dinosaur on some things. I used a Chrony Gamma Master for about 10 years. Never shot it, and setup is a breeze with the process I use. I finally upgraded to a Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX about 2 years ago. Why. Mainly to switch to a chrony I didn't have to string an electrical cable between the unit and my readout. I now use bluetooth. Before I made the switch, I mounted them in series so every shot went over both units. Just to compare velocities. I found my new one was less than 1% lower than the older one. Don't know which is closer to being the most accurate.

I had one issue with lighting that I needed to resolve. I shoot early to benefit from low wind conditions. When the sun was a certain low angle in the sky (I shoot due north) the "glint" from the bullet would cancel the shadow needed to trigger the electronic. So I added a sun shade on the east side of my chrony. Never miss a shot velocity once I made this change. But if there are clouds, I don't use my diffusers, if the sky is clear, I do use them. Shadows can create issues, but they aren't an issue for me.

To me, having the velocity on every single shot is important, and that is a factor in what I use. But if it isn't easy and quick to setup, you will not use it as often. And if it affects the bullet impact locations, that is a huge negative in my view.

Good luck with what you choose to go with.

My very old Chrony with the sun shade I made for it.

 

[Cbashooter]

I've had my Oehler 35 P for so many years I can't remember. It's still does the job well enough that I don't feel I need one of the Orange monsters on my bench.