[jstpa]

I tried a new load in my 444 today with 290 grain beartooth bullets. I was only shooting 50 Yards but the first 2 shots were in the bullseye, Thought great wonder how fast they're going. Set up the chronograph and the first shot read 2110, the second shot didn't read ??? . So like an idiot I thought I'd aim a little lower to make sure the sensors saw the bullet. Well it certainly saw the bullet as the back of the chrony exploded . Was just wondering if any of you have ever done the same.I see where some companies give a discount if you ship them your old one back for a new one. Hopefully pro chrono will. jstpa

 

[41Retro]

Let me take a wild stab in the dark and guess that you're not the first person to have done that.

 

[1895Gunner]

I've read it right here before on MO. Unfortunately I don't own one yet but maybe someday I'll join your club of "what the heck did I just do?".... ;D

 

[Tedak]

Yep! Mine was with a 69gr FMJBT in .224". The Chrony failed to read over and over and over, so I aimed a bit lower each time until...... . My take on it was "it had it coming," so when I replaced the chrony it was with a different brand.

I've shot hundreds of rounds over my Pro Chrono's and have had less than five errors. Yes, I've had two Pro Chrono's too. I had a gas check kill my first one, so the one I replaced it with wears a Lexan shield before use.

 

[papajohn]

I haven't shot mine yet, but I've seen several that had damage to them, and two that had already been rebuilt after having the guts blown out of them. Getting the bullet lower isn't what helps, getting the bullet SEEN against the background (sky or screens) is what matters. If the sensors can't see the bullet as it passes overhead, it can't start or stop the timer required to clock the speeed of the bullet.

This was my solution. A piece of clear plexiglas, four empty .40 caliber shells, and some white spray paint. If the wind blows I put a rock on top of it to hold it in place.

 

[1 big hole]

main reason I don't own one...hate to spend money for an occasional use item that, (in my case) would probably be a one time use item after becoming bullet fodder.

 

[trapper-xx]

papajohn

That's the most clever idea I've seen in a while.

 

[bigjeepman]

I don't own one either. I had one and let a buddy (?) borrow it and 3 or 4 years later I find out he shot mine up. He didn't offer to replace it and I will not buy another. My reasoning is I load for accuracy only and simply do not care if my load is going 1975 fps, 2095 fps, or anywhere in between because I will find my most accurate load anyway. I then practice with my most accurate load at said distances to find all points of impact. I have never had a goal of so many fps with any bullet/powder combination ... so why bother?

I fully understand their usefullness to others ... I just don't really need one right now ... maybe again sometime in the future, but not now.


bjm

 

[CtYankee]

Nope, I've never done that; People said that it could be done and I prefer to learn from someone else's mistakes - although that doesn't always work. The 2 main reasons why chronys don't read is too much light and too little light. A sky screen works when it's too bright, if its too dark you need to put light over the bullet. You don't need much and I expect that you could use a modified flashlight over each sensor - don't use fluorescent light, they flicker and mess up your sensors. Or you can do what I do on cloudy days - don't use the chrony. I also put up my sky screen support rods every time and put some flagging across them to give me an aiming point when I'm using a scope.

 

[Hunterj50]

If you are going to replace your Chrony anyway you might check out the CED Millenium brand. Its a bit pricier but has the advantage of having the brains of the unit on your shooting bench attached to wires going to the screens. That way if you shoot the screens you only have to replace them and not the whole thing. Another upgrade I did is the infra red screens. These work in any light, bright sun, shade, clouds and even in the dark. Not that most people shoot in the dark but you get the idea. Had mine for 5+ years now and couldn't be more satisfied.

 

[Pard]

Blow the face plate off, Not from a round, just the shockwave.
The uprights go flying once in a while.
Cant go to the range without it.

 

[dag]

So far we have been lucky, blown off the screens several times, splattered with lube countless times, a gas check wrapped around a rod, but not shot......yet.

 

[Chihuahua Floyd]

Don't have one, don't want one.
But, I've been told there are only two types of people who do own one, those who have shoot one, and those who will shoot one.
CF

 

[Frodo]

I also put up my sky screen support rods every time and put some flagging across them to give me an aiming point when I'm using a scope.

I think we are talking the same basic principle. Measure scope/sight height above barrel, add and inch or two, and mark your support rods at that height. If you aim at the target and the mark is above your sights, then don't shoot.

 

[thearborbarber]

I do chronographing as a separate step of load development or accuracy testing. I develop the load for accuracy then check it for speed. I place the chrono in front of the target about 6 inches and line it up so the bulls eye is where I want it centered over the chrono go back five yards and fire off the string of ammo aiming at the bulls eye.

 

[Charlie98]

PJ, is that chrono reading from one of your .45 rounds?

I have had my Chrony for about 20 years... haven't shot it yet and don't intend to. But the plexi in front of the display looks like a good idea, and I just happen to have a sheet of it in the garage...

I have orange tape on my rods, the lower one for open sights, the upper one for a scope. If it's not reading, it's the light, not my shooting.

 

[woodrat]

I've never shot a chronograph, but I did put a nice 35 caliber hole in the hood of my truck, using it as a shooting bench once... live and learn.

 

[Tedak]

C'mon, where ya'll at? I know there are more members here that have poked holes in their chronies than just me and jstpa. :

 

[Nightfisher]

C'mon, where ya'll at? I know there are more members here that have poked holes in their chronies than just me and jstpa. :

Tedak youu are right. There are a lot of people that have injured the chronograph and just do not want to admit it, and to the ones that haven‘t I admire you for being so careful. Don’t brag though because your day may come. I think that my chrony has been grazed about four times now in the past ten years and is still living. I have hit the rods three times and one grazed the face and put a dent in it. No direct hits though. All of my shooting is done through the chronograph.

 

[1895Gunner]

C'mon, where ya'll at? I know there are more members here that have poked holes in their chronies than just me and jstpa. :

Funny.... that's like asking who uses see thru sights. You know they're out there but nobody but me will admit to it. ;D