Range Report First Post!! RSI and CED Chronograph... Pros/Cons

[WV700shooter]

Hey Everyone,

So, I've been a lurker for about 3 years on this forum, and I've been a member for a few days. From what I've gathered in that time frame, you truly have to contribute worthwhile discussion during your first hundred posts, unless the forum trolls decree you a "board spammer" and accuse you of cheating the system to pawn your wares. How's about we start, then on the right foot.

First, intros... I'm active navy E4, in a rate that rarely carries guns (unless you go devgru), I'm the unofficial "crazy backwoods gun nut" of the command, being an NRA instructor, part time RSO, owner of more guns than video games (a rarity in our command) and a ballistics junky. So, now that we're all in good company, I'll ask the question.

Recently purchased the RSI Shooting Lab and a CED chronograph after speaking with Jim Ristow of RSI for several hours the other day... by the way, he's a wonderful guy. What I'm wondering, though, are what the drawbacks of the setup actually are. It seems that there's a plethora of ballistics calculators and software flooding the market. From what I gathered upon playing with the demo, though, his seems to be a great piece of work.

So, what is the best way to take advantage of this setup to improve my shooting skill. Also, what are the drawbacks, and how/with what can they be compensated for.

Incedently, if anyone has experience with the pressure trace system they sell, I'd be interested in hearing your opinions, as it seems to be super-helpful for load development.

V/R
Ken (the Crazy backwoods gun nut)

 

[WV700shooter]

Re: First Post!! RSI and CED Chronograph... Pros/Cons

little upset that this hasn't moved... maybe everyone's doing their ballistics reports.

 

[Topstrap]

Re: First Post!! RSI and CED Chronograph... Pros/Cons

Welcome to the Hide. Pretty nice stuff you got but you haven't told what your shooting skills are and what you are wanting to do. Figuring that you have basic shooting skills,a decent gun/scope and reloading knowledge you are off to a good start.

A chrono is helpful to work up your load and know the velocity you are getting your most accurate load at so you can use that with JBM or other trajectory charts. Then you can venture out to the range to start to gather info on the various distances you are wishing to shoot at.

Not sure what part of WV you are in but there are 2 nice ranges here in OHIO that might not be too far away. Nothing beats good practice with others to help you along and also shoot the distances you are wanting. Not sure what all that RSI shooting lab does but I guess I'm pretty basic in my reloading development and the type of guns I compete with so I can't be of much help with that part of your question.

At least from my experience nothing beats quality seat time behind your stick. I use pretty common equipment and don't get too anal with my reloading even for the matches and still do OK.

We are way far from being any kind of expert in any part of this long range shooting stuff but each time we fire a round downrange we try to learn from it, If you aren't too far away we'd be more than happy to invite you to one of our practice sessions where we shoot out from 200 to 900 yards and also offer any help on things we can share with you. A short video of the place we shoot is below my name here so you can see the type of places we shoot.

Good luck and welcome to the world of long range shooting.

Topstrap