Inexpensive Chronograph options

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REN

REN

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Wilson County, TN
wasnt sure where to put this so figured here would be a good start. Anyone have suggestions on a more inexpensive chronograph to use for getting rifle round speeds? LOVE the garmin features but $300-$600 is WAYYY more then what I want to spend lol.

It doesnt have to be fancy with averages etc. Just wanting something that will be pretty accurate so I can get some numbers on the factory loads im shooting, just trying to line up a more exact (or close to) drop rates for longer ranges. I fully understand you get what you pay for etc but surely there is something out there that will work ok for what Im trying to get for under $100.
 
If you can save up a little more, I have seen Labradar units going for around $200. People are almost giving them away as they move to the Garmin.
 
Everyone is wanting those new garmins. So I'd put a WTB in the classifieds and see if something in the range you want to pay pops up.

Good luck. 👍
 
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I would save up and get a used Labradar. The magneto isn't bad, but if you use a can or brake it's pretty useless. The Caldwell option is basically what I started out with. It wasn't bad bad but I always felt I never got a consistent reading from sunny days, to cloudy days, how the shade was, etc. the magneto was leaps and bounds ahead of the Caldwell. The garmin is legit.
 
Jcalder said:
I would save up and get a used Labradar. The magneto isn't bad, but if you use a can or brake it's pretty useless. The Caldwell option is basically what I started out with. It wasn't bad bad but I always felt I never got a consistent reading from sunny days, to cloudy days, how the shade was, etc. the magneto was leaps and bounds ahead of the Caldwell. The garmin is legit.
Click to expand...
What is the issue with the can or brake?
 
Omega said:
What is the issue with the can or brake?
Click to expand...
The way the magneto hooks to the barrel. If you have a brake that's the same size as the barrel it isn't much of an issue. If you have a brake that's quite a bit higher than the barrel you can get the part that reads velocity close enough to read your shots. Same with a can.
 
Jcalder said:
The way the magneto hooks to the barrel. If you have a brake that's the same size as the barrel it isn't much of an issue. If you have a brake that's quite a bit higher than the barrel you can get the part that reads velocity close enough to read your shots. Same with a can.
Click to expand...
Ah, ok. I attach mine to the forearm so can adjust it. I thought it was the blast from either of those (damage).
 
Omega said:
Ah, ok. I attach mine to the forearm so can adjust it. I thought it was the blast from either of those (damage).
Click to expand...
I think there a mount that attaches to an arca rail, maybe an area 419 or something similar and you can do it that way. I don't use rails on the forearm and wanted the Garmin.
 
Jcalder said:
I think there a mount that attaches to an arca rail, maybe an area 419 or something similar and you can do it that way. I don't use rails on the forearm and wanted the Garmin.
Click to expand...
I have that too, but my rifles are hunting rifles so only the forearm stud is available, I got an adapter to place it on that.
 
I had a magento and now a Garmin. I would be leery a $100 chronograph would not be accurate or repeatable.
I'm normally not on the bandwagon for the latest greatness gadget, but the Garmin is worth it.
It works as advertised and is easy to use. I've shot countless rounds and it's not missed one yet.
 
Hammer said:
I had a magento and now a Garmin. I would be leery a $100 chronograph would not be accurate or repeatable.
I'm normally not on the bandwagon for the latest greatness gadget, but the Garmin is worth it.
It works as advertised and is easy to use. I've shot countless rounds and it's not missed one yet.
Click to expand...

oh I totally get it. if I was into reloading (would like to some day just dont have the start up funds for it at the moment) I would invest more into it.

All Im trying to accomplish is getting the actual FPS from the 2 rounds I like out of my 6.5PRC so I can get my turret and BDC reticle info exact. Once im done with that I wouldnt be doing much more with it.
 
REN said:
oh I totally get it. if I was into reloading (would like to some day just dont have the start up funds for it at the moment) I would invest more into it.

All Im trying to accomplish is getting the actual FPS from the 2 rounds I like out of my 6.5PRC so I can get my turret and BDC reticle info exact. Once im done with that I wouldnt be doing much more with it.
Click to expand...
In that case, I'd get with someone with a lab radar or Garmin close to you to get those numbers. Buy the guy some lunch and use the rest on ammo.
 
REN said:
oh I totally get it. if I was into reloading (would like to some day just dont have the start up funds for it at the moment) I would invest more into it.

All Im trying to accomplish is getting the actual FPS from the 2 rounds I like out of my 6.5PRC so I can get my turret and BDC reticle info exact. Once im done with that I wouldnt be doing much more with it.
Click to expand...
If this was my goal I would probably get someone to let me use a good one to get the data.
 
REN said:
oh I totally get it. if I was into reloading (would like to some day just dont have the start up funds for it at the moment) I would invest more into it.

All Im trying to accomplish is getting the actual FPS from the 2 rounds I like out of my 6.5PRC so I can get my turret and BDC reticle info exact. Once im done with that I wouldnt be doing much more with it.
Click to expand...
Confirming your drop will do all you need. Velocity helps get you in the ballpark but I wouldn't build a turret simply based on the velocity and a ballistic app. I would be more than willing to loan you my garmin, or meet somewhere and shoot and let you use it.
 
I'm in Murfreesboro
If we can work it out we could meet up and use my Garmin.
Where do you shoot?
 
Hammer said:
I'm in Murfreesboro
If we can work it out we could meet up and use my Garmin.
Where do you shoot?
Click to expand...
I appreciate the offer and my take you up on that. I had 2 others here in Wilson County reach out with the same offer so gonna see if I can work that out first.
 
Jcalder said:
Confirming your drop will do all you need. Velocity helps get you in the ballpark but I wouldn't build a turret simply based on the velocity and a ballistic app. I would be more than willing to loan you my garmin, or meet somewhere and shoot and let you use it.
Click to expand...
thats all Im really looking for is a close ballpark. Its not a precision rifle more of a hunting rifle that I enjoy shooting distance on the side. Its an 18" 6.5PRC with a 9" suppressor so obviously the factory specs on the ammo isnt going to be correct and may not even be close. Just looking to get the actual FPS out of the couple different ammo options I have so I can get some actual accurate data on.
 

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