Chronograph questions

skyfish

I've never used a chronograph and had a few questions about their use. Are some pickier than others about sunlight? Do they generally work better in full sun? How far from the barrell do they need to be, will be checking rifles. This may seem silly but what's the best method for not hitting the chrony. I'm sure its been done and if your aiming at 100yds and the chrony is ~10ft do you see it?

Also liked the questions about progressive presses lately, I've been thinking of getting one for 223, 308, and 40 S&W.

dcs shooters

They work better in shade or a slightly cloudy day. They need to be 10-15 feet away for a rifle so the muzzle blast won't affect shadow of bullet. Set your target so the aim point is higher in the screens.

perry shooter

DCS has good suggestions I do a lot of testing with pistols in a Ransom Rest . But also rifles from sand bags off bench . My suggestion will sound strange but I believe if you think about it you will see it MAY be the best way. With a rifle I put up a target at say 20 feet I shoot a few shots and then set up the Chronograph about 15 feet away go back to the bench where I am shooting rifle and in aiming at target get my helper to move the chron. to have bullet holes line up above the screens and if you have V shaped arms and shade The bullet holes need to be centered between the arms and between the pick up and the shade.I have tested rifles at 100 yards with chron. at 99 yards IMHO you stand more of a chance in hitting the screens if they are close to you where you can't see them then if near target where you can see them. I test my pistols at 50 yards and have screens at 49 yards and use the spotting scope to read the readout. This take good pistol good ammo and NERVE but It has worked for years for me. [:p]

RCrosby

A variation on the theme, since, among other things, my hat's off those that can place the chrony out at 100. With the rifles I'd be o.k., but other than a few Contenders I've had, I'd never try it with my handguns.
I set up my chron. at 10 to 15 feet, then place my target at 25, 50 or 100 yards so that the aiming point is centered in the triangle of my shade support rods. As a final check I put a target at the same distance as the chron. (but off to the side) and make sure my bullets won't be going too high or low. I've only killed 2, but it wasn't the system that did me in, but rather failure to follow my own advice.
(Ask me sometime what 130 grains of lead and copper will do to a chronograph when traveling at 2,900 fps! [:D]

glabray

As stated, lighting is very important. About the worst situation I have found is around noon on a bright sunny winter day and shooting toward the north. The bright light and very low angle of the sun just does not give good results. Pick a cloudy day....the range is likely to be less crowded to boot!

v35

You want the chronograph to be oriented such that the sunscreens, which diffuse the light, cast shadows over the chronograph sensing slots.
My chronograph has its' readout on the unit. I'd advise getting a remote readout that will give you averages and standard deviations. A printout will save you from keeping notes.
After shooting out two readouts, I taped a 1/4" piece of clear Lexan over the front end. Pockmarks on the Lexan testify to it's effectiveness.
The masts which support the sunscreens and the sunscreens also have wounds from particles that come out with the blast.