Reddit reviews Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph with FPS and MPS Readings, Sun Screens and Large LCD Screen for Range Shooting

Or like $70. Coldwell ballistic precision on amazon.

Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HTN5DTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Pl5cBb1VJ6KJC

I'm very happy with this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HTN5DTE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I love that it plugs into my phone and calculates and records everything.

The Caldwell has phone connectivity.

I second Caldwell Precision. Lots of bang for your buck. If you're going to be chronoing inside or at night I'd also recommend the lighting kit.

>The first column, is that the weight of powder used (in grains)?

It looks like the number of grains followed by the name of the powder. i.e. 20.0 H 4198 is 20 grains of [Hodgdon H4198] (https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1009135435/hodgdon-h4198-smokeless-powder)

>How do you measure velocity?

With a chronograph

>I found a good deal on a used CZ527 w/ a 24" barrel, but that seems excessive for casual target shooting so I was wondering how much I can have it cut down.

Chopping barrels is not a simple business. You have to get it recrowned or you will lose accuracy that way. Most gunsmiths don't wake up for anything less than $75 per hour of shop time. It's likely you'll find a shorter barrel for cheaper than that. You can't go lower than 16" without running into federal law in the US .

Ballistic Precision Chronograph https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HTN5DTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_oZKkzbQSWDYGB

I got that one and I like it. You'll need to pick up a tripod for it though.

I'd be shocked if your md doesn't have a chrono.

That sounds like a gun/ammo combo that SHOULD work just fine, I just don't want to give you a false sense of security and have it come back to bite you on a match that you're likely paying hundreds of dollars to attend.


If you want your own little chrono/bullet weighing setup, you should be able to get all the 'stuff' (chrono, bullet puller, small scale with grains readout) for about $100 and be 'close enough' - I'm assuming you don't have the parts that crossover into reloading since you are using factory ammo. I'll provide some sample links below (keep in mind, none of the cheaper stuff is likely to be super reliable or accurate, but serve as a check against things being WAY off).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HTN5DTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_codbBb870X64G

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078BSBS12/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_ipdbBbJFQEBRR

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWTAJ66/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_BsdbBbX7SRFFP

Wow, this one is less than $80! I think you'll find a chronograph is indispensable after you've owned one. Far less guesswork. ...But the ultimate in reloading nerd-dom comes with both a chronograph and QuickLoad!

There's a whole list of awesome and a few pretty big drawbacks for the labradar in my book. This is my second chronograph. First being the Caldwell Ballistic Chronograph. I used this one for several years and had excellent results with it. Its your basic optical chronograph and while inexpensive, does the job. The shortcomings of this type of chronograph are several:

1. You have to set it up and shoot through a space above the two sensors. Alignment is tricky at first, but on a crowded range, you're going to be "that guy" out there dicking around with chronograph placement.
   
2. Does not work at all in typical indoor ranges which are lit with florescent light. The optical chronographs sense the shadow of the projectile as it passes across the two sensors and then calculates the time for the first sensor trip to the second sensor trip and thats how speed is computed. With florescent lights, the 60hz on/off blink of the lights mess that up something fierce. There's LED kits to alleviate that problem, but that's an additional cost.
   
3. it doesn't work well with low angles of light. In the late fall through early spring, the window of opportunity for good light is less. These work the best when the sun is fairly high in the sky.
   
4. You'll probably shoot it at some point in time. Its not "if you've ever shot your chronograph, its when." You can go on an on how that'll never happen to me, I'm a good shot, I'm responsible, I'm just better than that.... Until you blast it. My instance was with a 44mag and I simply got fatigued, and my last round gouged a trench across the entire length of the top of mine. If its not you that'll shoot it, it'll be your friend.
   
   However, the optical chronographs are less expensive, that Caldwell unit ran me $80 at the time. The caldwell mobile device app is stellar. Not all mfg have an app, and not all of them come close to the caldwell app.
   
   Option B - the Magnetospeed. I can't really comment on this one, having not owned it. There's several models available at several pricepoints. The basic one is a high-value, high-accuracy simple setup. The drawbacks are the entry-level Sporter needs an adapter to shoot suppressed. To use it for pistol work, you need a pistol with a rail and the higher-end magnetospeed. I shoot suppressed, I shoot pistols and revolvers so the magnetospeed didn't make my "upgrade" cut.
   
   Option C - Labradar : There's a thread over on /r/reloading comparing the three higher end options and I commented extensively there. The original article written by that redditor on his own blog is worth the read.
   
   I love my labradar, but there are definitely some shortcomings with it.
   Pro:
   Accurate
   relatively easy setup
   
   Con:
   fuck-all expensive
   shooting suppressed and especially rimfire suppressed, you need accessories.
   lack of accessories in the box and a barebones app.

I think I saw one for $100 on either /r/gundeals or /r/reloadingsales last week.

Though I just looked on amazon and found this guy for $75. (and free shipping)

For reference, I’m trying to plug a chronograph into an app on my phone.

specifically, this one

Send me the PS90, and and a FN Five Seven, I'll make some handy charts for you.

http://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-720001-Ballistic-Precision-Chronograph/dp/B00HTN5DTE/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1410243205&sr=1-2&keywords=shooting+chronograph

I recently picked up a Caldwell one, if you want to spring for extra QoL pieces this kit is nice.