If you’re handloading your own ammo, you need to know how it’s going to perform in the real world, not just how it works on a spreadsheet. The best way of doing this is to use a ballistic chronograph. These devices measure the exact speed of your bullet, so you can make better calculations for determining ballistic drop, total kilojoules of energy, and other necessary information.
To help you out, we decided to find the best shooting chronograph available online. In making our selections, we looked for devices that can store information on several cartridges, determine the average speed of several shots, and provide other detailed statistics.
We also looked for a shooters’ chrony that’s easy to use, and has a clear, easy-to-read display. An innovative design is also important to some shooters, so we included a few non-standard options to mix things up.
Ready to find the best chronograph for shooting? Let’s begin!
Best Shooting Chronographs
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1. Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX
Competition Electronics
1 used from $152.02
Features
- Introducing the ProChrono DLX ballistic chronograph with improved accuracy specs and built-in Bluetooth
- Built in full featured operating system with multiple shot string memory and statistics
- Internal and external refinements with updates to the circuitry and enclosure design
- Faster internal shot clock for improved accuracy to plus or minus .5% or better
- 2 year warranty against defects in material and workmanship, and a 1/2 price repair guarantee
The Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX is weather resistant from 33 to 100 degrees.
Key Features
- Standard infrared design
- Works between 33 and 100 degrees
- Sends data to smartphone via aux cable or Bluetooth
- Takes a 9-volt battery (not included)
- Mounts on a standard tripod base
The Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX is an affordable infrared chronograph that has more features than you’ll find on most comparably-priced devices.
Specifically, it comes with a free smartphone app and sends all data to your phone via Bluetooth. From there, you can sort your shots into groups, and perform any analysis you desire. Results can be output as a PDF file for easy printing.
The infrared sensors on this chrony aren’t as powerful as some others. It’s fine for gunpowder firearms, but won’t reliably register air gun pellets.
Pros
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Free smartphone app for calculations
- Affordable
Cons
- Has trouble reading air gun pellets
This chronograph connects to your phone via Bluetooth, no wires required.
2. MagnetoSpeed Sporter
MagnetoSpeed Sporter
$199.00 in stock
Free shipping
Features
- Use with barrels from ½ inch to 1 inch in diameter
- Accommodates muzzle brakes and flash hiders up to 2.7 inches in length
- Ideal for contoured rifle barrels and long-barreled revolvers
- Specialized Bayonet-style sensor
- Data logging and simple single button display
The MagnetoSpeed Sporter is magnetic, so you can use it in any light conditions.
Key Features
- Barrel-mounted magnetic design
- Mounts on ½” to 1” barrels
- Sends data to your smartphone
- Takes a 9-volt battery (included)
The MagnetoSpeed Sporter Barrel-Mounted Ballistics Chronograph Kit is shaped like a bayonet, and mounts on any round barrel between ½ inch and 1 inch in diameter. The chronometer is magnetic, which means you can use it under any lighting conditions.
However, it won’t work with smaller rounds, like pellets or .22 caliber bullets. The mounting system also requires a round barrel, so it won’t work on most semi-automatic pistols.
This chronograph connects to a small display using a basic aux cable. If you want to save your data and perform calculations, simply connect the cable to your phone instead, and use MagnetoSpeed’s free app to do any work that needs to be done.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Includes a free smartphone app
- Requires no extra accessories
- Does not require you to go downrange for setup
- Works well in any lighting conditions
Cons
- Does not work on semi-automatic pistols, air guns, or rimfire rifles
You can use this bayonet-style chrono without ever having to go downrange.
3. Caldwell Ballistic Precision
Features
- ACCURACY: Each unit is factory calibrated within +/- 0.25%
- EASE OF USE: Measures Meters per Second (MPS) and 5 to 9,999 Feet per Second (FPS)
- VERSATILITY: Ideal for firearms, archery, airgun and paintball rifles
- RELIABLE: Wide sun screens for increase readability in full sun and a large LCD display for easy readabilit
- COMPATIBLE: A lightening to 3.5mm adapter (sold separately) is needed for use with iPhone model 7 and newer
The Caldwell Ballistic Precision is well suited for use with any kind of projectile weapon.
Key Features
- Standard infrared design
- Sends shot data directly to your smartphone
- 5-9,999 FPS reading range
- Takes 9-volt batteries (not included)
- Mounts on a standard tripod base
The Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph is a standard infrared chronograph that’s designed to read bullet velocity across a wide range of speeds, from 5 to 7,000 FPS. This makes it useful for any type of gun, from high-powered hunting rifles to small pistols, to air rifles, to custom paintball guns.
This chronograph is easy to use, with a simple on/off switch on the side of the unit. It connects to your smartphone with a 15-foot audio cable, which sends all shot data to Caldwell’s free smartphone app. There, you can view average velocity, standard deviation, and high and low bullet speeds within a given group.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Includes a free smartphone app
- Works well in most lighting conditions
- Can also be used for archery, paintball, and pellet guns
- Affordable
Cons
- All controls and calculations are performed on your smartphone
This chronograph includes a smartphone app for doing all calculations and saving all of your data.
4. Caldwell Ballistic
Caldwell Ballistic
$135.74 in stock
1 used from $135.74
Free shipping
Features
- SPECS: Each unit is factory calibrated to within +/- 0.25% accuracy and measures from 5 to 9,999 FPS
- EASE OF USE: Extra wide sun screens for added shading while outdoors, a large LCD display for easy reading, ¼-20 threaded insert for tripod mounting and an included 15ft aux cord for transferring data to a smartphone or tablet
- VERSATILITY: Meters per Second (MPS) or Feet per Second (FPS) reading and is ideal for firearms, archery, airgun and paintball
- COMPATIBLE: App and Aux Data Transfer works with the following: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android 2.1 or newer smart phones and Kindle Fire Tablets. A lightening to 3.5mm adapter (sold separately) is needed for use with iPhone model 7 and newer
- INCLUDES: Chronograph with 2 sunshades, 25′ audio jack cable, carry case, tripod and light kit
The Caldwell Ballistic sends all your data to a free smartphone app.
Key Features
- Standard infrared design
- Sends shot data directly to your smartphone
- 5-9,999 FPS reading range
- Takes 9-volt batteries (not included)
- Includes a tripod, removable sunshades, wired remote, and carrying case
The Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Premium Kit includes the Precision Chronograph we already reviewed, so it offers all the same features, including versatility, accuracy, and a powerful smartphone app for storing all your data and making calculations.
Like the base unit, it also doesn’t perform any calculations on the unit itself, so you’ll need your smartphone with you.
This kit includes a tripod and carrying case, so you can set the chronograph up and use it immediately. It also comes with removable sunshades, which allows it to be used in almost any lighting conditions. Finally, you’ll receive a wired remote, so you can shut your chrony off without having to call “all clear” at the range.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Includes a free smartphone app
- Requires no extra accessories
- Works well in most lighting conditions
- Can also be used for archery, paintball, and pellet guns
- Affordable
Cons
- All controls and calculations are performed on your smartphone
This chrono is a complete kit, and includes everything you need to get started.
5. Competition Electronics 538002
Competition Electronics 538002
Features
- Store 9 shot strings with up to 99 shots each in power down memory
- Review each velocity and shot string data which includes average velocity, standard deviation, and extreme spread.
- Delete an individual shot or entire string with the touch of a button.
- Connect to the data port for remote capability with optional accessories.
- Made in USA with real service and support
The Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph is the one of the most affordable models we looked at.
Key Features
- Standard infrared design
- Stores up to 9 groups of 99 shots
- Data for groups includes average velocity, standard deviation, and greatest deviation
- Takes a 9-volt battery (not included)
- Mounts on a standard tripod base
The Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph is a traditional infrared chronograph that’s as barebones as they come. No cell phone app, no extra accessories, and no tripod. That said, it’s also very inexpensive, and still measures your bullet velocity with an accuracy greater than 99 percent.
This chrony can be mounted on a tripod if you prefer, or you can set it on a bench to save money. It stores up to 9 groups of 99 shots each in internal memory. For each group, you can track average velocity, standard deviation, and the shot that deviates the most from average.
Be careful using the ProChrono indoors. The infrared sensors aren’t as sensitive as most others, so you’ll get an error in almost any situation short of broad daylight.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Saves and calculates group data
- Can also be used for archery
- Affordable
Cons
- Only works in broad daylight
This chronograph is very easy to use, with most functions available at the push of a button.
Bottom Line
As you can see, there are plenty of chronograph shooting options available. Whether you’re looking for a traditional, infrared design or a high-end Doppler radar design with a bunch of bells and whistles, there’s something here to meet your needs.
One thing we didn’t mention earlier is the importance of setting your chronograph up properly. You’ll want to have your gun mounted in a bench rest, and ensure that it’s pointed directly through the middle of the chronograph.
This will ensure that even if a shot goes slightly wide or high, it’s not going to wreck a pricey piece of equipment. Use your sights if you’re 100 percent sure they’re properly zeroed in, or use a laser bore sight if you have any doubts whatsoever.
We hope that at least one shooting chronograph review has helped you find the tool you need. Even if you end up going in another direction, we hope you’ve learned something today.
Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert reviews and information including shot timers!
The Review
Best Shooting Chronograph
Check out our review on the best shooting chronograph on the market today.
Review Breakdown
- Competition Electronics 538002
- Caldwell Ballistic Precision
- Competition Electronics 539009
- Caldwell Ballistic Precision Premium Kit
- MagnetoSpeed Sporter
- Shooting Chrony Alpha
- Sportsman Supply Inc.
- Shooting Chrony Beta
- Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX
- Competition Electronics Prochrono Digital
- Caldwell G2 Ballistic Precision
- Shooting Chrony 7000068
- LabRadar Doppler
- Competitive Edge Dynamics
- RCBS AmmoMaster
Best Shooting Chronograph DEALS
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