Airgun shooting is an incredibly absorbing, and enjoyable pursuit, whether we’re blatting away at spinners on the range, hunting in the field, or pushing our skill levels to the limit in Field Target, or Hunter Field Target tournaments. The choice of modern hardware has never been better too, and with an abundance of great value starter kit, alongside ever more sophisticated models, appealing to a new breed of dedicated shooter, the sport is in a good place.
Responsibility
Dipping in and enjoying this shooting bonanza at whichever level we feel comfortable at, is all part of the appeal, but irrespective of our chosen disciplines, the individual’s responsibility remains the same, namely to ensure our guns stay safely below the power limit. And that’s where owning a chronograph can be hugely beneficial.
What is a Chronograph?
OK; let’s quickly cover the basics for those new to this subject. A chronograph (or chronoscope for the pedants out there) is an electronic device which can test the velocity/energy of our airgun. They can vary in terms of sophistication, but the end result is much the same.
Suffice to say, if you want to test a gun’s velocity, and log a raft of shots, to relay all the info, it can all be done. Some devices allow for switching between imperial and metric figures, and velocity can be switched to show from joules/fps, whilst pellet weight can be grammes or grains. Some can log a memory of 500 shots or more, which can be linked to some form of computer if required, for further analysis.
Other Uses
Legalities aside though, there are several other very good reasons for owning a chrono. Being able to monitor velocity and check a guns consistency using particular pellets, and seeing up close how far power may fluctuate using a variety of ammunition, provides invaluable information, and this all depends upon a reliable electronic power-checking device.
Hunters in particular, may wish to test velocity/energy at the muzzle, then position the chronograph at a certain distance down range, carefully re-shoot, and then see the residual velocity at that distance. Some pellets are far more efficient than others, (now we’re getting into ballistic coefficients!) and a chronograph can show this up in detail. The process and knowledge base arrived at, can be fascinating, and is a big part of our sport for many.
Types of Chronograph
Unsurprisingly, there are several different types and makes of chrono on the market, and they vary in complexity. Barrel mounted devices can be very neat and effective, but there is always a danger aspect, fiddling with anything at the muzzle. That said, a safety regime and absolute care needs to be taken when setting up any chronograph.
The Combro was a British designed device which fitted around the muzzle. A bit fiddly and sadly out of production, but it worked well, if a little temperamental, in the way it needed the right lighting. And that brings us to ease of use.
Many older designs of chrono rely on the basic principle that the chrono has two sensors, the pellet starts a clock as it passes over the first, then stops the clock as it passes the second. The time is calculated, and everything stems from that.
Older systems often have sky screens to keep sunlight off the sensors, but they can all be a little light sensitive, either too little light, or too much light!
Others, such as Skan, another famous brand sadly no longer in production!) relied upon infrared, so were more robust, but they did require the shooter to shoot through a small tube, which could be problematic in itself.
Later devices such as LMBR, a Polish outfit, have earned a good reputation for robustness, and others have utilised a magnetic field, taking a different route altogether.
FX Airguns, the highly innovative Swedish airgun manufacturer, now market their own range of chronos, utilizing radar/doplar principle technology. These are cutting edge devices, and they have several models including incredibly neat small units which can bolt to the side of the rifle. Some need to be used in conjunction with a smart phone/app, effectively acting as the display log, and can be highly appealing for those more technically minded. However, models such as the latest FX Pocket D1 now has its own display.
As for the FX True Ballistic Chronograph, this is another comprehensive professional piece of kit with a raft of features, also utilising radar technology. Not cheap, but it will again work even in bad weather.
Summary
Whichever route we take, using some form of chronograph to regularly monitor our treasured airguns, really does make sense. It can keep us, all importantly the right side of the law, and it can also as highlighted above, open a whole world of experimentation, testing and research, adding another layer of fascination to our great sport.
Range & Country
