Crony questions

[northjdr]

I am relatively new to reloading and have a Crony Beta Master (who names these things anyway?) I was at the range late this afternoon, overcast day here in Minnesota. Even with the screens off I was not able to get accurate readings. They were all too slow. But the funny thing was they were consistanly slow. As furst I thought I had accidently switched to meters per second but not so. For example on a typical  string I might get readings of  1021, 1030, 1025, 1024 ..., Based on previous sessions with my .308 I should be in the 2500 to 2600fps range. I understand that this can be a problem in low light. Is there an easy fix to let me get better readings in low light? I was thinking of attaching some chemical glow sticks to the screens. Is there any way to convert these measurements to ones more meaningful?

[PlacitasSlim]

I have the same chrony and have not had any problems in low light. How far away from the muzzle was it? also was there anything around casting shadows. Oehler just did an article on shadows and false readings.

[northjdr]

It was about 10ft from the muzzle of the 308. I could moove it out more if you think that would help. It wasn't giving error messages just low readings. It was level and stable as well.

[PaulS]

I have my screens set at 15 feet (five yards) because I don't get "funny" readings and i can easily convert my readings to muzzel velocity by taking the velocity drop in five yards and add that to my chronograph velocity. There is a way to mount 6 or 12 volt DC lights to your chronograph so that you get consistant readings in all lighting conditions. I have never needed them with my Pact but I had to install them on my Oehler. Make sure that your chronograph is in clear view of indirect sunlight with no shadows and fifteen feet from your muzzle. If that doesn't give you consistant readings then see about putting the DC lights above the screen filters.

[PlacitasSlim]

It is possible that the muzzle blast is starting the timer before the bullet actually starts it. I would move it out and see if that helps.

[northjdr]

I was at the range again yesterday with my Crony brand crony. I set up 15 feet away shooting my 308 in similar light conditions (like before it was late in the afternoon. Still got bad readings but this time too high (5024, 5068 etc.) So I moved it closer, to about 6-7 feet. And I got what I think are accurate readings (3000 fps for my 308) so it seems like it likes it closer rather than further away.

[PaulS]

The only way I can get accurate and consistant readings is with my screens at 5 yards. any closer than that and I get garbage due to muzzle blast and blast.

[babe915]

buy a PACT OR OEHLER brand and you won't have those problems.

[PaulS]

buy a PACT OR OEHLER brand and you won't have those problems.

Babe915,
Those are the two brands that I bought. I have one of each and the only problem that I have ever had with them was that at 9 feet I got inconsistant results that I attributed to flash and blast with my rifles. I bought the Oehler first and it has always been a bit of a hassle to set up and then I bought the Pact and it is easy to set up and a great little unit. As far as accuracy goes I really can't tell the difference between the two. The Pact gives me all the data that I have to use the computer for with the old Oehler so it is just a lot easier to use. I heard a while back that Oehler was quitting.. any truth to that?

[northjdr]

I actually found some information that might help. The snow on the ground could have been effecting things as well. I could still return the unit but I'll see if I can get it to work better next time out. Thanks.

[Lead pot]

There are other factors besides the screens failing. Setting the unit it's self ahead and close to the muzzle will make the unit fail because of the muzzle blast.
Both my Pact pro and the CED Millenium will fail.
I found that out one day when it was raining and wanted to test some loads for a up coming black powder match so I set up in the garage and using the infrared ski screen sensors because of the low light and the unit gave all sorts of readings and no reading at all.
I had the unit set 3' to the right and front of the muzzle.
When moving it back behind the muzzle it worked fine.

Kurt

[Don Fischer]

I had the snow on the ground problem last week and fixed it. Have a Pact MKIV and I cut out a door skin, 10" x 34" then centered it and cut a slot to go down over each skyscreen so it lays on the brace. Then put some 1 x 1 around it to stiffen it. The thing works well in the snow now. The door skin stops the light from the snow from bouncing off the bottom of the bullet.

[Val]

I also have a Beta Master. The instructions will tell you to set up 12-15 feet from the muzzle. I've had excellent consistant results using my Beta Master for about 4 years now. I've read of comparisons with more expensive chronographs, yielding virtually identical results.

[northjdr]

yep, I've read the instructions and tried 10 feet and 15 feet and closer. In think the snow and drim lighting were causing the problems. Their instructions are among the worst written I have ever seen. Whatever programming they have on thier processors is from the stone age. I defy anyone to try to delete a string without looking. Permanent memory...temporary memory. and their customer service isn't so hot either. No response to my email questions. Dosen't make sense.

[PaulS]

There is another plus in having the screens set at 15 feet - I can calculate the true muzzle velocity easily by looking at the drop in velocity at 5 yard increments in my ballistic software and add that much to the recorded velocity, poof! I have the muzzle velocity. I have never tried any other chronographs than the two that I own but the velocities are nominally the same. I do like the ease with which the Pact unit sets up and how it computes the average velocity, deviation and keeps all the individual velocities so that I can record them as I shoot or at the end of the string.

[BigJakeJ1s]

PaulS, which model Pact do you have?

Andy

[babe915]

 with the pact there is one thing you should do to get consistant readings, keep the box away
from the gun which can cause false or no readings because of the muzzle blast. I put the unit
under the bench face up so i can read it easy. works great never had a problem since doing
this. my unit works as close as 7 foot from muzzle [ 223 cal.] maybe big bores need more spacing.
screens on or no screens this baby reads most of the time!   

[PaulS]

PaulS, which model Pact do you have?

Andy

Andy,
I think it is the first model they ever made. I bought it some twenty-five years ago - maybe more. I got it while I was waiting for Oehler to send me a new screen. It had an internal battery and an external 110 volt power supply / charger. The battery failed after about five years and I couldn't find one locally for it so I installed an RCA jack and made an external battery pack that uses a lantern battery. It has been working great since. I have only had to replace that lantern battery once in the last 10 years. I had to replace a screen on it and it took a bit over a week to get the parts. One of my puppies chewed through the wire. She died last year at 12. She turned out to be a good dog and I was even able to repair the cable after talking to the tech rep at Pact. I don't have to worry about ac power I just hook up the battery and place the tripod. I sight the tripod in at the bench and target and I have very little trouble except for getting permission to set it up. Range masters don't always want you setting equipment out on "their" range.

[BigJakeJ1s]

Thanks, PaulS!

From what I understand, that would be the 1XP (or that is today's equivalent). Sounds like it's been a good'n.

Andy