Looking to get a chronograph. I’ve read that the budget Caldwell precision chronograph is pretty hit or miss. Lots of issues and weather seems to affect it a lot. I was looking between the G2 Caldwell which seems to be better built and the V3 which seems to be really popular. Anybody got any experience with these? Or can anyone recommend a good chronograph in the $200-300 range?

Pistol or rifle?

For rifle, Magentospeed has the sporter version ($249 MSRP).  I have the V3.  Prices have gone way up since I got mine, but they are solid.  I mostly recently have been using a LabRadar.  Can use for rile and pistol.  Setup is easier than Magnetospeed, but also in the $600+ range.

Both can be setup without having to go downrange, which helps for use at KHSC. 

Pistol or rifle?

For rifle, Magentospeed has the sporter version ($249 MSRP).  I have the V3.  Prices have gone way up since I got mine, but they are solid.  I mostly recently have been using a LabRadar.  Can use for rile and pistol.  Setup is easier than Magnetospeed, but also in the $600+ range.

Both can be setup without having to go downrange, which helps for use at KHSC.

Pistol and rifle. Thats why I was looking at the V3 it has an accessory to mount to a Glock rail but it’s $450! Not that far off From a labradar.

Pistol and rifle. Thats why I was looking at the V3 it has an accessory to mount to a Glock rail but it’s $450! Not that far off From a labradar.

Gotcha. I never tried the V3 with pistol, but yeah, supposed to be able to. 

Just checked, I paid a little over $300, but that was back in 2020.  May have been a sale at Midway. 

Yeah, for $450, I'd go for a LabRadar.  Pricey, but I'm super happy with mine. 

As for quality of chronograph, I'd say both are excellent.  I've done some testing between the two, mostly as I was switching from the MS to the LR.  Velocities were quite close between the two.  Beyond that, LR won out from easy of setup.  I have mounts for the MS so you don't have it on the barrel.  Not difficult to setup, but it does take a little bit of time. 

Gotcha. I never tried the V3 with pistol, but yeah, supposed to be able to. 

Just checked, I paid a little over $300, but that was back in 2020.  May have been a sale at Midway. 

Yeah, for $450, I'd go for a LabRadar.  Pricey, but I'm super happy with mine. 

As for quality of chronograph, I'd say both are excellent.  I've done some testing between the two, mostly as I was switching from the MS to the LR.  Velocities were quite close between the two.  Beyond that, LR won out from easy of setup.  I have mounts for the MS so you don't have it on the barrel.  Not difficult to setup, but it does take a little bit of time.

Damn $300. Maybe I can find a good deal during Black Friday or something. Reloading seems to be a little pointless if you don’t have a Chronograph.

A chronograph is not needed for reloading. For 223 there are lots of loads that have been proven in competition. For 308 there are index loads as I mentioned before. i.e. a 175 SMK on top of 4064. I've been told by shooters with lots of experience - combat and match, that if the gun doesn't shoot well with the index load; something is wrong with the gun.
optical based chronographs like the Caldwells and defunct SHooting Chronys can work well if you establish a solid white back ground for the photogates to detect the bullet. Another thing I found is that my Shooting Chrony needs a good power supply so I use a 3S LiPo instead of the 9 volt.

labradar has BF sales too
at least that's what "a friend" told me...

Damn $300. Maybe I can find a good deal during Black Friday or something. Reloading seems to be a little pointless if you don’t have a Chronograph.

A chronograph is not needed for reloading. For 223 there are lots of loads that have been proven in competition. For 308 there are index loads as I mentioned before. i.e. a 175 SMK on top of 4064. I've been told by shooters with lots of experience - combat and match, that if the gun doesn't shoot well with the index load; something is wrong with the gun.
optical based chronographs like the Caldwells and defunct SHooting Chronys can work well if you establish a solid white back ground for the photogates to detect the bullet. Another thing I found is that my Shooting Chrony needs a good power supply so I use a 3S LiPo instead of the 9 volt.

Oh wow I didn’t know that. Is there a link or resource you recommend that I can look up these loads?

A chronograph is not needed for reloading.

WHAT?

WHAT?

I say depends on your goals/purpose. 

For my bolt actions, I follow Erik Cortina's method, which relies heavily on chrono data.  I can get to "better than factory ammo" results without (or as CMO says "gtg").  But I am (or was) chasing better. 

For pistol, I want chrono data to confirm that I'm close to factory ammo.  Or at least know how far off I am. 

Here are my thoughts on chronographs and pistols and rifles,  fwiw....

Before the dark ages of digital technology, Jeff Cooper put forth the concept of combat-action style pistol shooting. He premised that a defensive firearm should meet certain minimum power requirements. Thus, IPSC power factor was born. Since IPSC and USPSA are basically games, there needed to be rules to make awards more equitable.

A simplistic method of classifying guns was instituted in order to level the playing field.
This was the "power factor" rule. In the days before inexpensive chronographs, we used a device called a ballistic pendulum. I still have it in my storage shed.
Story to be continued....

Power factor continued...
Shortly after the ballistic pendulum was built, some fairly inexpensive chronographs became available.
Your pistol ammo had to make a minimum speed x weight factor.
My first chrono was just a timer that measured the elapsed time that it took for the bullet to travel 2 feet.
I still have it in my storage closet. LOL

Today I use a "Shooting Chrony" to clock my loads which are supposed to simulate factory defensive ammo.
The theory is that if you carry a particular make-model of ammo in your defensive pistol, it would be a good idea to practice with something really similar.
If you search this forum, you can find my project information.
It focused primarily on creating ammo that simulates whatever HPD issues at the moment.

The other reason I chrono my pistol ammo is changing components, and I'm curious to see what happens.
I'm currently using Vectan BA-10 in my 45 acp because somebody gave me free bottle.

I don't chrono rifle ammo since I doubt the chrony can see it and I don't care how fast the rifle ammo goes.
I just load and tweak rifle ammo to make small groups.

If you're reloading rifle for shooting longer ranges than a chronograph is essential. Having a range you can actually shoot long range to check your drop chart is the best. But unfortunately that's not available to most. So having your actual load velocity helps you make a more accurate drop chart for that particular load.

It can also help to check your powder moisture content. Especially if you're in higher RH situations. We use RH packs in our powder to help keep our reloads consistent. Sometimes ppl wonder why the load they developed with a new bottle of powder shot faster than the same load with same powder awhile later. Seen it happen enough to make the change. Only a chronograph can tell you that, just food for thought.

RH packs?
dehumidifier?

If you're reloading rifle for shooting longer ranges than a chronograph is essential. Having a range you can actually shoot long range to check your drop chart is the best. But unfortunately that's not available to most. So having your actual load velocity helps you make a more accurate drop chart for that particular load.

It can also help to check your powder moisture content. Especially if you're in higher RH situations. We use RH packs in our powder to help keep our reloads consistent. Sometimes ppl wonder why the load they developed with a new bottle of powder shot faster than the same load with same powder awhile later. Seen it happen enough to make the change. Only a chronograph can tell you that, just food for thought.

RH packs?
dehumidifier?

RH = relative humidity

Sorry, yeah Relative Humidity

The packs help maintain a stable RH in the bottle of powder

I started putting RH packets in open bottles of powder.  I'd have to check the %, but it's the same packets that are used for cigars.  Much less % than for cigars though.

Bought the Caldwell G2 a while ago and it works real good for both rifle/pistol.  The Bluetooth feature and app can be finicky but it satisfies my needs.  Was < $200 shipped.

I started putting RH packets in open bottles of powder.  I'd have to check the %, but it's the same packets that are used for cigars.  Much less % than for cigars though.

Yes that's what we use as well they use it for cigars or cannabis. Currently use 58% RH packs in our own powder bottles that have been opened.

I use Boveda packs (I assume it’s the same you guys are talking about). You can buy them on Amazon. They last a pretty long time for me.