How Accurate is Magnetospeed V3

[Delfuego]

Get the V3 (not the Sporter) you will be happy.

 

[MMH]

Ha, ha, my wife still thinks I only have one Garand since they all look the same.

I'm with Dickn52. I used to think that my my was oblivious to how many guns I had (and how many I was getting). She may have not been able to tell which ones were the new ones but she sure figured out that there were more. Maybe it had something to do with the safe busting at the seams. To her, guns are kind of like rabbits - she doesn't have to be able to identify all of them individually in order to realize that there are a whole lot more.

 

[fredo]

I have a V3 and have been very happy with it.
Only argument against the Magneto V3 is the barrel contact attachment & how it may, or may not affect group size...
To that end, I ordered one of these, from MK machining:

It allows a V3 to be mounted to a picatinny rail on the stock, and is adjustable enough to get the V3 where it needs to be. Viola, the only potential downside of the V3 has been negated!

I got this specifically to try during load development of my .220REDLINE. Being its a pretty nasty hotrod, I'll be able to collect both accuracy & MV data from the same ladder test and save some barrel life...

Granted, the labradar would offer the same. But, I'm just not sold on its durability, or convenience of setup...

 

[Texas10]

Magneto speed is reputed to be one of the most accurate on the market. I have a sportster and it works very well. Customer service, if you need it is tops.
One drawback is that I find that it changes the POI. Sometimes tuning or de-tuning the barrel in the process as it moves forward during successive shots.

 

[rijndael]

But, I'm just not sold on its durability, or convenience of setup...

Same here. Everyone I know who has one, locally, is quick to talk about their finicky nature. I wanted something that 'just works'.

 

[MMH]

Same here. Everyone I know who has one, locally, is quick to talk about their finicky nature. I wanted something that 'just works'.

There have been some (enough) comments about the labradar finicky nature. How is their customer support? I could put up with finicky as long as it is accurate and reliable.

The advantages that I see are that I could quickly shoot different rifles back to back and get data (for instance my on a 5.56 get data on the same load for 16", 20" and 22" barrels. Another advantage is the ability to get downrange velocity data and be able to verify BC.

OK, so I admit it, I am a little OCD and a data/analysis junkie.

 

[Defender 3]

Each has its quirks. The V3 is finicky about the gap from the bayonet's magnets to your bore and the strap is a pain. The LR is finicky on placement relative to the muzzle so it picks up the shot and remembering to arm it to capture the string. Playing with each for a bit solves either issue. I have both and after getting the LR, the V3 is sitting in the cabinet.

 

[rijndael]

Another advantage is the ability to get downrange velocity data and be able to verify BC.

If that velocity data were from the distance I commonly shoot at, say 600+Y, then it'd be quite nice. I wonder about the usefulness of ~100Y velocity data.

 

[ClassCat]

Got my Labradar about a year ago.when they were relatively new. When i had a tech question i would contact the company and the DESIGNER /Owner of the company answered the phone to address my questions. You cannot get better than that !

DEFENDER 3::: Cut a new hole in the Baseplate about 2 inches from the front and in the center.This will allow you to move the unit closer to the edge of the bench and will give you easier set up. Use an old rear bag, or sandbag as a counter weight.

HAPPY SHOOTING !

 

[MMH]

If that velocity data were from the distance I commonly shoot at, say 600+Y, then it'd be quite nice. I wonder about the usefulness of ~100Y velocity data.

Very useful. If you have accurate weather information and velocity then you can confirm BC. The math is a little complex, but you can also use ballistic calculators & do 'what if' scenarios. Alternatively, if you believe that the BC you have is accurate for the velocity that you are shooting at, you have another way to validate the velocity reading. Bottom line is that you now have one more piece of information to validate your ballistic tool. If you want to get crazy, you could even create loads that would drop the velocity down to what you expect it to be at range (600 yds., 1000 yds., whatever you are shooting at) and once again verify the BC. BC is not a constant and varies with velocity. G7 is a better approximation than G1, but even G7 is a model for all bullets and not perfectly accurate for your bullet at all velocities.

This may be more than most are interested in, but for those so inclined, you now have one more significant piece of information.

 

[Defender 3]

Got my Labradar about a year ago.when they were relatively new. When i had a tech question i would contact the company and the DESIGNER /Owner of the company answered the phone to address my questions. You cannot get better than that !

DEFENDER 3::: Cut a new hole in the Baseplate about 2 inches from the front and in the center.This will allow you to move the unit closer to the edge of the bench and will give you easier set up. Use an old rear bag, or sandbag as a counter weight.

HAPPY SHOOTING !

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[rijndael]

If you have accurate weather information and velocity then you can confirm BC.

I understand that, but you're only confirming the BC in the upper end of the velocity spectrum.

I use both G1 and G7 BC data, seeing which one lines up best with my real world data. When using the velocity banded G1 BC values, more often than not, I'm tuning the BC data for the slower bands rather than the upper ones. The velocity < 100Y out doesn't help me much in this area.

 

[rijndael]

If you want to get crazy, you could even create loads that would drop the velocity down to what you expect it to be at range

I think I misunderstood what you were getting at here, now I'm with you. But no, I don't want to get this crazy. I rely on real world data more than I rely on calculated data.

 

[Beau]

How do you know at what point in front of the muzzle that the LR is first picking up the bullet?

 

[ClassCat]

How do you know at what point in front of the muzzle that the LR is first picking up the bullet?

In a previous post i stated that the Unit functions better if moved further out on the bench. It is triggered by Muzzle blast and there is a Set of Velocity's. It doesn't just read the first few feet like a traditional chronograph. Here's an example

Series :0001 Shot 001 FPS YD

VO= 1051 ( At the Muzzle)
V 10 997 / V 32 932 / V 54 863
V 21 964 / V 43 898 / V 65 810

The V-10 is at 10 Yards, V-21 is at 21 Yards etc

I hope this helps you to better understand the function of the unit