There are two kinds of chronograph owners!

[popper]

What I emailed to magnetospeed, no response yet.
Unit usually works with jacketed 30 cal but problems with cast.

v3.0.03 SW

300BO Spacer 'bar' used for alignment.

OK with first 4 shot sting - 175gr cast, ~1400 fps. archived that string. Sens set to 7.

next 6 185gr (1200 fps?) no shot detected, 2 sensor error, no peak detected - no data from that string! I did fiddle with sens but got no shots recorded or detected.

Another 4 shot string of 170gr cast, slightly lower powder charge worked fine, archived string.

Blade NOT moved during test. Just single loading with Bob single round magazine.

Cast from same alloy, same time (GC & PB mold), All powder coated, same powder (A2400) but different loads.

Don't know why the second string didn't record as no REAL difference in load, little heavier bullet.

Fps have always seemed a little low compared to my optical Chrony brand.

Previous time using the M.S. with AR 308, shots/strings appear to get mixed up when SD card is viewed computer. strings apprea to NOT be in proper group i.e. 125 vmax fps (2700 fps) show up in 168 amax (2400 fps) string. I assume archive is just a new header and shot # changed to one? Would like the software to show date stamp.

 

[Ian]

You can archive a series or just a shot, IIRC. Select from menu. I don't use the SD card though, just write stuff down. I'm not doing statistical analysis for thousands of strings for a lab, just checking loads and verifying computer models. My Chrony is on semi-permanent loan to a friend who had one that lacked the remote screen, and has built a nice setup for it at his range.

 

[Joshua]

Thank you for all the feedback. I definitely need to do some more research. The light isn't always great here in Western Washington, the Magnetospeed may be my best option.

Why would you want a chronograph at all?

I saw your question last night at bed time. I thought about it at work today.

Do I really need one? No, I don't need one.

Why do I want one? I want to know how fast I'm going. I'm curious. I'm really a very average shot, having access to ES and SD data could hopefully help me more fully understand the accuracy potential of my hand loads. Also, I would like to be able to answer questions about FPS, when asked.

Or, I could just let the little holes in the paper tell me their story. Lord knows, there are other toys that I could spend the money on.

Josh

 

[RicinYakima]

Josh, exactly my position. Bought my first one and worked to get low SD and ES, groups were bigger. Now I only use it to get to "factory" velocities with jacket bullets for hunting loads. And to get data for articles I write for the CBA, as some people think that is very very important.

 

[waco]

My brother and I use the Magnetospeed for working up long range jacketed loads. Knowing you have low ES and SD really helps making consistent hits on Target a ELR distances.
It was also beneficial when working up to 2600fps with cast in the .308 for 500 yard shots being more consistent.
Is a chrony a must? No. Do they have a place and can the really help you understand the specifics of certain loads? You bet.

 

[Cherokee]

I bought an early Oehler in '70 and used it a lot, finally shot one screen the last year I used it. Now I use a LabRadar...best out there for us mortals.

 

[Ian]

I love mine but honestly it does all of YOU on this site more good than it does me, and that's half the reason I even use the thing anymore.

 

[Rick]

A chrono is a very valuable tool if used for more than curiosity of velocity. By keeping detailed notes and referring to those notes when working up loads trends in changes become quite apparent, the more notes and the more loads for a given firearm and the more detailed the notes the more valuable the notes and the chrono data becomes. I always shoot for groups while shooting over the chrono.

 

[Rockydoc]

If you are using QuickLoad the chronograph results allow you to confirm and to fine tune the results and predictions.

 

[RBHarter]

Mechanic , life long Nevada resident .

If you have a known BC you can confirm that value against ballistic calculator and with that you can confirm terminal values . Nevada for example for big game required a minimum energy of 1000 ftlb at 100 yd . A 200 gr 30 cal bullet needs 1900 fps at the muzzle and a .320 or greater BC to squeak by . A 556/223 needs a Sierra 55 gr BTSP listed circa 1995 in their #12 at 3400 fps MV to make the cut plus about 25 ftlb . Rem 300 gr HP 45-70 safe in all ammo actually falls 2# short in an 1895 GG with a ported barrel .
None of this means that I'm casting a 311-230 soft for an 06' , or talking a 22-250 bear or elk hunting but it does support the idea that a 1400 fps .280 BC 405 plodding along at 1500 fps hauling 1000lb past 300 yd should be enough for any dik-dik , western pronghorn and most bears found south of Idaho , the Great Lakes and north of the Panama Canal in the Americas there are some Amazon Armadillos that get a little sketchy and grizzly and polar bears make me want for a 50 BMG so that if I make a mistake they have a half mile or so to bleed out before they eat me .

Confirmation of drop , BC , and terminal numerical performance values . Occasionally valuable in figuring out why a particular load presents a perfect solution to a very specific point in range then goes sideways like a Freightliner clipped by a Southern Pacific locomotive .

 

[popper]

Only reason I got one (Chrony first) was for use in off-the-book loads and bullets. Lets me know when I've reached my goal. With the MS I don't need binos to read the display - nor carry the tripod. I write the numbers down, Excel will calc the SD and ES. I usually don't record long strings so ES & SD don't mean much. I can use excell to graph the results to see if there is some unusual trend - gives a better 'picture' of what is happening - SD is just some sort of bell curve. I used it for the pistol as I knew upping load went super but didn't know how much and if I met my goal of 1500.
As Rb states, knowing MV and targets @ 50 & 100 you can dope the scope/sights with ballistic program. I still use gebc that someone here wrote.
My gripe with the MS is CS is the pits and if you have problems you are on your own. I have concerns about their QC. The mount is general purpose but they need to hire a real mech engg to design a good one. The price point and ease of use may sell a bunch but I will not recommend it at this time. Yes, I hope they improve as it is a good idea that need some work. The dopper radar one had problems when it first came out but the company has resolved most issues. MS doesn't seem to be interested, just trying to come out with 'other' gun related stuff.
Edit: Address shows a small building between Austin and Dripping springs. 'Invented' by a UT doctorate. Site says NO returns and sell replacement blades (170$). When it fails, get another. LabRadar is a Canadian Co offshoot from DOD work, actually has CS dept. In a niche market who know how long any Co lasts. I would like to see improvements in the product but doubt there will be any.

 

[Paul Gauthier]

I have the same unit that JonB has, I think, but I have had at least twice as long. still works although I seldom use it. I gives a lot of info from a small package. I have never shot the sensors but my friend did on his first shot over them. You should have seen him he as so apologetic I started laughing and told him it was a cheap fix. I just thought my friend has been dead for 23 years that means I got my chrono back in the 90's.