If you are searching for the best budget shooting chronograph, you are in the right place. In today’s buying guide, we will share the top recommended options available in the market today. We will also share the factors you should keep in mind when buying a chronograph.
There are many gadgets out there designed to help you improve your shot. As a hunter or marksman, enhancing the accuracy of your shot is essential. It is important to hone your shooting skills by using tools to make your practice even more effective.
One of these tools is the chronograph. Chronographs are designed to measure the velocity of a projectile fired by a gun. This can help you check your firearm and your shot. The best budget shooting chronograph can be a beneficial tool for hunters and sharpshooters of all skill levels.
Best Budget Shooting Chronograph
In today’s guide, we have chosen the best chronographs available at the best prices. However, you will need to select the right fit for your needs. Everyone’s needs are different, especially when it comes to firearms, hunting, and marksmanship.
We have taken some guesswork out of the equation, came up with a guide to help you choose the suitable device for you, and reviewed our top 5 picks for best chronographs in 2021.
Let us get right into it
1Shooting Chrony Alpha Master Chronograph
The Shooting Chrony Alpha Master Chronograph measures the velocities for air guns and firearms, including powerful firearms. It is a valuable tool for measuring any firearm.
This chronograph has a simple fold-down design as well, making it easily portable. This means that you can use this device anywhere, anytime.
The display is simple and basic design as well. Therefore, if you are looking for a classic chronograph without any added features, this may be the right one for you.
It gives accurate readings every time, which is why you may want to consider choosing the Shooting Chrony Alpha Master Chronograph.
Features
- It has a simple fold-down design
- It gives accurate readings
- It is very easy to use
Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph
The Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph is a digital option for easy reading and accuracy, excellent for reading and storing shot information. This chronograph holds 9 shot strings with 99 shots in each power-down memory.
In addition, each reading includes average velocity, standard deviation, and extreme spread information.
Not to mention that all the data is stored, but it is just as easy to delete both individual shots and shot strings. All data can be uploaded as well, using the data port. You can always expect easy, accurate, and storable measurements with this device.
Features
- Records up to 99 string shot data in its internal memory
- Each reading includes average velocity
- It has easy, accurate, and storable measurements
Shooting Chrony 7000136 Gamma Master Chronograph
The Shooting Chrony 7000136 Gamma Master Chronograph is one of the premium options that will deliver value for the money you spend. It is well worth the investment.
It features a simple, lightweight design made of 20-gauge steel that weighs less than 2 1/2 pounds but still offers excellent performance. This chronograph is powered by a single 9-volt battery, which lasts for approximately 48 hours.
In addition, this device measures speed within .5-Percent accuracy. This chronograph measures the speed of any projectile from 30 feet per second to 7000 feet per second.
Features
- It uses one 9-volt alkaline battery for approximately 48 hours
- Lightweight design made of 20-gauge steel that weighs less than 2 ½
- Measures speed within .5-Percent accuracy
Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Premium Kit
The Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Premium Kit is a unique option that is packed with great, special features. This reader includes a height-adjustable tripod, an easy carry bag, and provides excellent accuracy.
This chronograph has a compact design, which makes it easy to store. You will also be able to bring it anywhere, wherever you go.
Speaking of accuracy, the Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Premium Kit is designed to be within +/- 0.25% accuracy. Not to mention that this chronograph is simple to operate and can deliver the shot string velocity data through the 15’ foot audio jack cable to devices including ipads and iPhones using an app for easy use.
Features
- It has a height-adjustable tripod
- It has an easy carry bag
- It provides excellent accuracy within +/- 0.25% accuracy
- It delivers the shot string velocity data through the 15’ foot
Competition Electronics Pro Chrono Pal
The other excellent option is the Competition Electronics Pro Chronograph. It is one of the most cost-friendly options on this list.
It has an easy and simple setup without any additional features. In addition, it is a primary option with durable and sturdy construction. It makes very few errors, no matter the weather, which tends to be a common problem with many chronographs.
This chronograph is accurate for all types of shots. It works well, and if you need the basics, the Competition Electronics Pro Chronograph may an excellent option for you.
We highly recommend it because it has a solid design, which will hold up under all outdoor conditions.
Features
- It has a solid design that will hold up under all outdoor conditions
- It is unaffected by weather
- It is affordable
Factor to Consider When Buying the Best Budget Shooting Chronograph
Each shooting chronograph we presented can be used to provide valuable data about your shooting. However, not all of them are built in the same way.
Let us look at the different features each model offers and how they influence your shooting experience.
- Accuracy
Accuracy is the most crucial factor in a shooting chronograph. All the chronographs shared in this guide are highly accurate. However, there are some differences.
Most chronographs are calibrated before they leave the factory. Some of them will be reliable 99.5% of the time, while others can be accurate 99.9%. Having a precise chronograph is very important if you want to find out your actual bullet velocity and the absolute Standard Deviation.
Obtaining accurate results every time you use the chronograph will allow you to compare the data you receive from each shot. It will enable you to see how small powder quantity or quality changes will affect your reloading.
Using an accurate shooting chronograph will also calculate a reliable Power Factor, which will allow you to enter competitions.
- Design
The design of the shooting chronograph will also influence your experience. Some models are bulky, and they are harder to transport. Other models have to be mounted on your barrel, so you will have to compensate for its weight, albeit small, when you should.
The best shooting chronographs are made out of durable materials, and they are lightweight so that you can carry them with ease. They can be mounted on most tripods available on the market, and they are easy to use.
- Ease of Use
One of the essential qualities of a shooting chronograph is to be easy to use. Some models come with large LCDs that show you the data they collected, while others use remote controls for the same purpose.
A user-friendly solution that started to be used by more and more manufacturers is to allow the chronograph to connect directly to your smartphone. Instead of showing the data on an LCD, these chronographs will send it to your phone through an app.
The app has many useful features, and it is straightforward to use. Not only will this feature allow you to read the data with ease, but it will also allow you to keep records of every shooting session.
- Performance
Another essential feature for every chronograph, the unit’s performance will influence how it behaves when you use it.
All the models we presented in this article offer good performance. They can track every type of round you fire, and they can even follow arrows. Some of them are so sensitive, and they can keep track of paintballs, pellets, BBs, and even rocks if you are so inclined to see how fast you can throw them.
- Storage and Info
The shots you take should be tracked and read on your chronograph. From there, you may want to save your readings. The best chronograph will store your readings and give you an option for uploading the information to another device, like your phone or laptop.
- Cost and Investment
The other factor you should keep in mind is the cost. Investing in quality is worth it, mainly if you use your chronoscope often. Try to weigh cost and quality equally when choosing a chronograph. If you have a limited budget, we recommend checking the features before choosing any chronograph.
Conclusion
In summary, we have shared the best budget shooting chronographs available today. They are packed with many features to help you hone your accuracy skills.
If you do not have one, it is important to invest in one. This is because they are handy pieces of equipment to keep around for when you do need them.
Now that you have more information about our top picks and how to choose the suitable chronograph for your needs, it is time to narrow things down to our top pick for the best chronograph, considering the elements we put into our buyer’s guide.
The Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Premium Kit is our top pick for the best chronograph. It provides excellent accuracy within +/- 0.25% accuracy has a durable design, and all data read can be stored and uploaded to various devices, including most phones and tablets. All of this and more come at a reasonable price, which is why it is our final pick.
We hope that this guide helped you find the best shooting chronograph for the money.