Chronograph fault

Devon · Rookie Member Joined: Dec 08, 2007 Posts: 12

I've got a CED Millennium Chronograph and I have never been able to get it to work. I set it up, plug it all together and get a zero on the scale. Put a bullet through it and - nothing. Nada.

Well today I am sorting out if 41g or 42g of H414 in my 6.5 swedish is best so was a wondering if anyone knew of what I am doing wrong and can fix it.

I have emailed CED and they sent me a new manual but alas, no cigar.

Many thanks

Devon.

chambered221 · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 7:12 am Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

Devon, Welcome to HuntingNut

I have a Pact model 1 that gives me trouble when the sun is bright on a blue bird day or when it is completly overcast and light is dim.
On bright days I shade the skyscreens. Light kits can be purchased for use in dim light for some chronographs.

Chronographs need to see a shadow of the bullet to work.

When shooting lead bullets I have to use a black magic marker to darken the bullet.

I take a 22 rimfire with me to the range whenever using a chronograph,that way if I run into trouble I can get evrything set up using inexpensive ammo.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:07 am Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

Excellent idea using the .22 rim fire for setup! See why I like this site?

Bushmaster · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:15 am Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

Chambered221...You need to talk to Pact.

Devon...You have something wrong. Either with the chronograph or...Make sure that the sun is directly over head and that you have the screens over the sensors installed. Read the below too. That might be the problem. Chronographs are not the "perfect science" yet. A lot of outside elements seem to have an effect on them. Give CED a phone call and have a one on one talk with one of their tech people...

Chambered221. I also have a Pact mod 1 (for the last 18 years). You're correct. It must see a shadow. But I have never had a problem with it unless the sun is in my face or at my back. As long as the sun is directly over head or rising left to right or the other way around I'm fine. My range is in among an oak grove. I'm completely canapied in the summer and even on overcast days mine works. You paint the bullets black? That increases the "shadow"?? Mine even sees .22 lead and .177 BB's from my daughter's Daisy...

I agree pumpkinslinger. I never thought of that, but the .22 rimfire test pattern is a good idea and I will add it to my learning curve. Thanks Chambered221... Very Happy

chambered221 · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

Thats right I paint them.

That chronograph went back to Pact over that bullet, and my not knowing how the darn thing worked of coarse!!!!!!!

They said there was nothing wrong with it and nicely explained how it worked with light and shadows. I got it back and guess what!!! I still couldn't get it to work. Three more phone calls and I dang near put it in the trash can.

A friend suggested the marker it worked for him when he had the same trouble.

As far as the light issues, its more about the range it self than anything.(position of the sun,roof over the shooting bench, that sort of thing) After I understood things better it became alot easier and things began to work.

By the way. Speaking about chronographs, Has anyone ever shoot theirs?????????????? Very Happy

Bushmaster · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 4:46 pm Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

Not yet, but I am a pretty good shot. And understand the muzzle drop under a scope and allow for that when shooting over the chrono...

1895ss · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

I find with my chronograph that the position of the sun is very important. I also find that mine works best on slightly overcast or partly cloudy days.

twofifty · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:30 pm Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

chambered221 wrote:

Thats right I paint them. ...
By the way. Speaking about chronographs, Has anyone ever shoot theirs?????????????? Very Happy

So easy to shoot a chronograph. Our club shot one last year. We shot the replacement one this year.

At last year's banquet we mounted the dead chrono on a plaque and awarded it to the hapless shooter. Same fellow gets the dead chrono plaque this year. He's a great sport about it.

My scope does not focus down to chrono range, so I am always nervous when using one. Finicky too aren't they.

jeh7mmmag · Member Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 223 Location: DFW, TX.

I have not killed mine yet. Very Happy

But first time out I wounded it pretty bad with a sabot out of .22/30-06 rounds. Very Happy

It still limps along fine since it has the remote read out.
Going gut it and hang it on the wall some day! Mad

Like they say " There are 2 kinds of chronys" Very Happy

vint2 · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

I have had my Chrony for 15 years and it works best on cloudy-overcast days. I also do not use it when the sun can get under the hoods.The only problems have been operator error. Smile

st_albert · Member Joined: May 31, 2006 Posts: 38

chambered221 wrote:

As far as the light issues, its more about the range it self than anything.(position of the sun,roof over the shooting bench, that sort of thing) After I understood things better it became alot easier and things began to work.

By the way. Speaking about chronographs, Has anyone ever shoot theirs?????????????? Very Happy

First off, about light issues. My experience with my chrony beta (not sure of the model... it has remote readout but no printer.) has been that as the light gets poorer (e.g. in the evening) I first get different results (I mean, a value is recorded, but it's a different value than when the light is better) or else lots of errors. Sometimes I can remove the skyscreens and go a little longer. But only a little. Evidently, the right light is really important. Anyone else had similar experiences?

Regarding shooting the chrony, I've done it at least three times (same chrony, that is) -- once I hit the screen support rod, once grazed the main box, and once hit it right in the lower right corner. It still functions (though that last hit required a little re-soldering of the remote connector.)

I finally purchased a pistol rest, and so far I've not shot my chrony again -- nor anyone else's either.

Albert

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 3:25 am Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

I always use a rest when shooting over a chrony. Even then a partner nicked his with a .45 Colt revolver but it was repairable. Its also VERY important to remember that the line of the bore is well underneath the line of vision through a scope. Marking the rods about 3-4" above the top of the sensors can help you remember not to aim too low. I'm thinking about adding a piece of lexan in front of my chony, even with the top of the box, to protect it from unburnt powder or sabots.

vint2 · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

A rest is always a good idea when shooting from the bench with the chrony or just punching paper!! Smile

vint2 · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

Forgot to mention that if I can use something to get a steadier shot in the woods I will!! Smile

Doublejs · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject: Re: Chronograph fault

vint2, I agree about the rest and all the help in the woods!

I own a Chrony brand master beta model. I have only had issues when shooting midday on sunny days. All other times it has worked great. I also agree with the multiple posts about partly-cloudy and overcast days working best. As for shooting the chrony...while I'm not a rocket scientist once the chrony is set up on the tripod and the rifle is in the rest on the bench it seems logical to just "eyeball" down the barrell and see if she's pointing at something substantial??? maybe it's just me....
having said that I'm sure to shoot mine the next time I'm out at the range! Shooting