chronograph help

[Myerslake2005]

I'm new to reloading and am planning to work up a load for my Encore.  I'm looking for a basic chronograph.  Nothing fancy since I plan on writing down all my velocities on paper but I want something reliable.  Does anyone have any recommendations?

Also what distance should the chronograph be from the muzzle of the gun?

I have read that sunlight affects the graphs ability to register the shot.  What time of day does the generally happen?

Thanks

[Racepres]

Won't try to tell ya which one to buy,, I have one that is not the most popular , and I love it,, so I would guess that there are no "bad" ones. I shoot everything 10 feet from the muzzle except some noted firebreathers, [357 Herrett is worst] that get 15 foot spacing.  If you try to chronograph on a sunny day you may just have fits... I try for cloudy days and never have a problem..   Others will surely join in on this so prepare thyself...  MV

[Possum]

I shoot the most common- a chrony.  It is the base model and does fine.  I have had some problems setting it too close  and knocking the rods off.  A little black electrical tape does the trick.  

I shoot in mid-afternoon.  If it gets late, you can angle it toward the sun to extend shooting a little while.  Sure helped me with the reloads.  With these longer barrels, you can't always judge a load by what is in the printed manuals.  

The only time it misses a shot is when the 9 volt battery is getting low.

[Siskiyou]

I have a Chrony and it does okay.  I take care not to shot it.  I have put Red duck tape on the wires that hold up the screens.  That way I do not shot the Chrony.  My brother did not follow the directions and put a 45ACP into his.  He is not allowed around mine.

[Davemuzz]

Remember, being that your crony is only ten feet from your muzzle, and if your shooting with a scope, your barrel is a few inches lower than the scope.

So, what I'm tryin to tell you is...just make sure when you look thru the scope that you are allowing enough space for the bullet to clear the crony.

Or...dont shoot the crony...It wont make your day at the range.

Dave.

[7bru]

prochrono pal works great for me. comes with skyscreens and you can run off of a/c if its available. I think i paid just less than 100 dollars in 2001.  7 bru

[ted]

I have a chrony too. the Beta model. Paid around $100 for it and have had it for two years. I has been flawless and realy helped with reloads and with determining problems with some air pistols from a junior team I coach. I have found that putting a round bullseye target about 25 yards past the chrony an aiming point helps me center the shots and this solved the problem of not getting a reading. Only problem I have had with the chrony itself is keeping the 'diffuser' (those white strips at the top of the rods you may have seemed pictured) on the rods. I have to tape them to keep them on reliably.

[Hopalong7]

I put off buying a chrono for years, so when I finally got around to it I decided to buy a "better" one.  I purchased the 35P Oehler about 10-12yrs. ago and have never regretted it.  I'm not knocking the less expensive one's cause I've never had one to compare to but I sure like mine.  The way I looked at it, it didn't cost as much as a new barrel and scope.  Has it been worth it?....you bettcha!!!  I reload for everything I shoot including Contenders in the not so common calibers like 218Bee, 219 Zipper, 6 TCU, 6.5 JDJ, 30-30AI...etc. and it really helps a lot. I wondered about if I needed one with a printer....looking back...I wouldn't have one now w/o it.  The double screens are very accurate and point out any errors that occur( and they do sometimes ).  It figures your SD and prints it for you...nice. Yep, I like mine a LOT!!  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt   :grin:  :grin:  :grin: