I need a chronograph

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spittinfire

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So I’ve reached the point in my reloading career that I feel the need for a chronograph. I’m trying to decide what would be best. It will be used mainly for rifles but I might send some pistol rounds over it too.
I’ve looked at the ones that attach to the barrel but that takes pistols out of the equation. I’m not trying to spend a fortune on it but I do want something that is reasonable accurate.
Anyone have any experience or guidance?


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I have a LabRadar, a Magnetospeed
and a Competition Electronic (CED).

I started with the CED. It is a solid chrono that won’t break the bank.

If money is no concern, get the LabRadar.




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If I were starting now, I would save my coin until I had enough for a Labradar. Can be used at indoor ranges regardless of lighting, and sits on bench so no access to the front of the firing line is required. Does not alter the point-of-impact like the magnetospeed. No chance of getting lead poisoning, like the optical chronos sometimes do.
 
As much as I like my Oehler, I'd really like to have Labradar. I have a Magnetospeed also but use it only after I have zero'd on a load and only want to periodically check speeds on those loads. Every time I have used it the POI changed, not good. the CED's are nice, I've seen several in use at the range. Depends on whether you like the convenience of the Labradar or the lesser expense of something else.
 
There are several aftermarket mounts for Magnetospeed that eliminate the POI shift issues. I really like my MS, but if I were doing it again I'd save up for the Labradar.
 
ncav8tor said:
I have a LabRadar, a Magnetospeed
and a Competition Electronic (CED).

I started with the CED. It is a solid chrono that won’t break the bank.

If money is no concern, get the LabRadar.




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This.
My CED was cheap, and is easy to use, results are pretty repeatable, though bad light has thrown it off.

Don't have a LabRadar, but did get a chance to use one, if I chrono'd more or was less cheap about shooting, I'd have one.
 
Ive owned a pocket chrony, Competition Electronics. Club has Oehler that I used and cussed extensively. I talked the club into buying a Labradar for what it was going to cost to rehab our Oehler set up. I used a Magnetospeed for the 1st time the other day. While it worked, I didnt like that it was attached to the gun and Ive seen one shot off a bbl landing a considerable distance down range. I dont know if it survived or not. Eat raman noodles and p nut butter for a month and get the Labradar. I am my clubs official subject matter expert on the Labradar and have to train and sign off each member user and give them the combination to the cabinet it lives in. Every person I have "trained" is just blown away by how easy it is to set up and use. Only negative is that it will tell you things you dont want to know...like your pet load has an ES of 50 or more.
 
The Competition Electronics for ease of use and more affordable. The newer bluetooth models are awesome....not too long ago they come with what seemed like 40 feet of telephone cord.
 
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The Chronys are decent kit for not a whole bunch of money. Mine reads out high/low/average velocity, ES & SD for 10 shot strings.
 
I bought a Caldwell a few years ago at a gun show that was slightly used. I think new you can get one for under $100. It worked surprisingly well until it got stolen. It had the connectors to hook to a smart phone (which I proudly don't own) and an ipad. I never used any of that stuff, I wasn't too lazy to write down in a ledger every reading. It did everything I wanted to do. I keep saying I'm going to buy another but never get around to it.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys. I honestly don't see myself spending the money for a Labradar, I don't think it will get used enough to justify the cost. I still haven't made up my mind so who knows.
 
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