Chronograph help

[Big Browns]

I want to buy a good chronogragh. Who makes a really good chronogragh? I was thinking about the CED M2 that Dillon sells, but I've herd a few bad reviews. Any suggestions?

 

Adam

[rcdinaz]

They all have some bad reviews. I have two different models of shooting Chrony and they work great (F1 & Beta).

[southernxpress]

The Oehler 35 has always been the go to for good accurate data... they are a bit pricey though. The Magnetospeed has really come about in the last little bit too and really giving the Oehler a run for its money as far as accurate and reliable. The Oehler is the traditional set up with it 10 or so feet out in front. The Magneto is a different technology competely and straps to your gun barrel... with the technology no don't have to worry about overcast days and things like that. It will likely change point of impact though, but not your group sizes.

[willhunt4coues]

I have the magnetospeed. I can tell you this much I can promise the magnetospeed will smoke all the competition. I can set mine up in less than 1 minute and also no need for waiting for that PERFECT day to go shoot it could be raining sun shining or even nighttime and it will still work. You can set the bullet type for copper jacket lead core, copper jacket metal core, or copper. You can also adjust for whats called custom. You can even diagnose your shots from shot to shot. I have fully fallen in love with mine. If you would like to try mine before you buy one you are more than welcome to bring your gun and shoot with it. Everyone at the range always wants to shoot with it when they see it.

 

I can promise you I have tried all the chronos and some get really nerve racking trying to obtain CORRECT speeds. I use to go out one day and get a reading but the next day get a completely different reading when I did not change anything. Then go out the following day and I was at the same as the first time. With the magneto every time I go out (as long as my load doesn't change) then it is always spot on.

 

Here is their website

http://www.magnetospeed.com/

 

 

Here is a review (not mine)

[cactusjack]

The Magnetospeed looks great. I have the Chrony Beta and get readings all across the board. I was looking at the Magnetos and will prob get one when they are for sale again.

[rcdinaz]

Good plan! I like the looks, much quicker setup.

[Dan]

I have the chrony beta and the magneto speed v1. The magneto speed is by far a better chronograph than all the others.There are several well known long range hunters who compared all the chronos and the magneto comes out on top every time(With the oehler 35 a close second) . It is user friendly and a snap to set up. As Willhunt4coues said it's dead on in any and all conditions.Once you get your ES and velocity take it off and check your point of impact.

[pwrguy]

That magnetospeed sounds awesome. One of the things about chrono's that I always find annoying is the setup time. I am a bit curious about the changed point of impact with something hanging off the end of the barrel. It has to change the harmonics, so how does it not affect group size? I think I would be more likely to do my load development without it and then throw it on for a couple of strings to come up with a speed?

[Benbrown]

Here is a post from another forum:

 

This is what I found on the MagnetoSpeed FAQ page.

Quote:

Can the MagnetoSpeed affect barrel harmonics (e.g. the location and size of my shot grouping)?

Anything mounted on the end of the gun can affect the location of your groups because the added mass changes the characteristic vibrations of the barrel. The MagnetoSpeed is intended to be used for velocity measurements only; when shooting for high accuracy simply remove the MagnetoSpeed. Most shooters will use this device to characterize their loads on a short range, before trying any long range shot accuracy trials. Now if you are shooting a shotgun it's another story. Shotgun accuracy and pattern is virtually unaffected and for the first time ever one can chronograph loads WHILE hunting!

Here's one person who has discovered that the point of impact and group size are effected dramatically.

Originally Posted By: Mort on AR15.com

I have recently purchased a new chronograph from an outfit called magnetospeed that does not use light sensors. Instead it measures changes in magnetic fields. The sensor attaches to the rifle barrel and looks like a bayonet for the mentally challenged.

I like this chronograph because it is much easier to use than most traditional chronographs and the display/computer module is really well designed. One problem I have encountered is that since the chronograph is attached to the barrel the point of impact and group size are effected dramatically. I deal with this by loading twice the ammo I want to test, firing my standard string without the chronograph to get POI data, then I fire another string with the chronograph attached to get MV. This method is a bit wasteful and it doesn't actually get me the velocity data for the rounds fired.

If anyone at Larue has time for another project I think there would be a market for a mount that attaches these chronographs to side or bottom accessory rails of the OBR and similar rifles.

––Mort

How much the group size is affected by the MagnetoSpeed being mounted to the end of the barrel likely depends on the particular gun and just how finely tuned the load is to that gun. If you develop loads while chronographing like I do, than the convenience of the MagnetoSpeed is outweighed by the possibility that once you think the load development is done your group size opens up significantly when the MagnetoSpeed is removed from the barrel.

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[cactusjack]

Dragging this thread back up. I'm buying one today, was trying to find one local. If not, the Web will get my $. Anyone know where they would be available locally?