Long distance range and chronograph

[spoonman]

Looking for a range to shoot at that has distances farther than 200 yards. I also need to chonograph some of my rounds so I'm looking also for a range that might have one. I live in the Olympia area and drive to Seattle for work every day so something in that area. Thanks guys

[Stein]

Plantation near Bellingham goes to 300 and has a chrono, it was $0.25 a shot last time I used it.

If I were you, I would forget about the chrono as they are very, inaccurate.  Shoot at different known distances and then plug it to free online software and it will calculate your exact velocity.

[hyde35]

Magneto speed is extremely accurate. If you don't know your speed you'll never be accurate at longer ranges.

[rbros]

+1 on the magneto speed. They are very accurate.

[Yondering]

If I were you, I would forget about the chrono as they are very, inaccurate. 

Some are certainly less accurate than others, but there are some pretty good options out there now that are very affordable. The ProChrono Digital, for example, is head and shoulders above the Shooting Chrony products, and run about $100 new on Midway.

Personally, instead of driving a long ways to a range that has a chrono, I recommend just buying one yourself. Compared to the cost of gas, ammo, or that new scope, a decent chrono is pretty cheap.

Also, Plantation does have a 300 yard range, but I won't shoot there, personally.

[washingtonhunter121]

Pe ell sportsmans club has out to 500 meters so roughly 545 yards. No chrony but it's worth it to just spend the money and buy a Magnetospeed to take care of that for you for long term use it will pay for itself and is a big help with load development and long range shooting with some sort of ballistic software. A big thing is also to have the ability to chrony a load at various temps to get your temp stability rating so having one you can use yourself at will is very useful.

[lokidog]

Magneto speed is extremely accurate. If you don't know your speed you'll never be accurate at longer ranges.

Doesn't look like it would work for a bow or crossbow though.        I've been looking at buying the Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Kit.

[Blacklab]

Magneto speed is extremely accurate. If you don't know your speed you'll never be accurate at longer ranges.

  

[yorketransport]

Magneto speed is extremely accurate. If you don't know your speed you'll never be accurate at longer ranges.

Doesn't look like it would work for a bow or crossbow though.        I've been looking at buying the Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Kit.

I love my Magneto Speed but it does have it's limitations. If all you need is muzzle velocity on a rifle it's great, if you want to chronograph most handguns or bows it won't work. You also can't use it to get down range velocities at 2-300 yards. I still use a Shooting Chorony (which is consistently within 2% of the magneto) to get velocities down range. Mostly because I'm not that worried about shooting it!

If you hit a public range you may be able to find a guy who will let you shoot over his chrony.

[WoodlandShooter]

I just use my cheapo chrono...then I just true at 714 and 943 yards.

[Yondering]

Magneto speed is extremely accurate. If you don't know your speed you'll never be accurate at longer ranges.

Doesn't look like it would work for a bow or crossbow though.        I've been looking at buying the Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Kit.

My ProChrono works with bows, and shotguns too.

[Stein]

2% isn't accurate enough for long distance shooting.  An accurate chrono will cost over $1k and isn't really necessary for most people.  Shoot known distances and calculate the exact velocity.

You need both accuracy and consistency for a chrono to really be of help.

[bobcat]

What if you're "known" distances are off by 2%? Seems to me that it might be difficult to accurately measure 500 yards.

[Yondering]

What if you're "known" distances are off by 2%? Seems to me that it might be difficult to accurately measure 500 yards.

That, or a bunch of other factors like height over bore, zero, actual b.c., etc.

If you're using advertised ballistic coefficient to calculate your velocity, your numbers are probably off a lot more than any chrono.

[Stein]

What if you're "known" distances are off by 2%? Seems to me that it might be difficult to accurately measure 500 yards.

That, or a bunch of other factors like height over bore, zero, actual b.c., etc.

If you're using advertised ballistic coefficient to calculate your velocity, your numbers are probably off a lot more than any chrono.

So, if all of those factors are off, the best solution is to add more error by using a chrono?  The goal is to limit or reduce error, not add more.

Seriously, don't take my word for it, attend a real long range shooting class, watch a dvd or read a book by someone who is a well respected expert.  You won't find them using a $100 chrono.

In my opinion, the best solution for an average hunter is to use Litz' G7 values, a laser rangefinder, reliable weather and altitude data and any of the free programs.