LAB OR MAGNETOSPEED PROS AND CONS

[powderbrake]

I have a Chrony Beta master, a Magnetospeed, and a Labradar. I never used my Chrony after I bought the Magnetospeed. The Magnetospeed works very well, don't have to wait for the shooting line to shut down to set it up, but the weight on the barrel shifts the point of impact, so I no longer use it to develop loads.

I use my Labradar every time I go to the range. Easy to set up, can do it while the line is hot. I use a 12" long 1/4 dia brass tube through a slightly larger tube which is glued to the top of the case to sight it in. I place the muzzle about 3" to the side of the case , and even with the front of the case, and it is very very reliable in reading the velocities. I have no problems with other Labradars on the line. I mount it on a "travel tripod" which I got on Amazon. This allows me to set up my front and rear rest in a normal arrangement, then place the Labradar at the proper location.

I suggest the Labradar is the best chronograph, and when using the app on your cell phone, it is easier to control than via the buttons on the Labradar case.

I do not load anything under 22 cal, and nothing over 3900 fps, so the Labradar specifications work out fine for me.

 

[JimSC]

Don't you need to purchase adds ons for the labradar to get it to do anything other than centerfire? By the time you add in all the accessories you are looking at $800 - $1000 ( airgun adapter, rimfire adapter, recoil operated trigger) to do what a $125 optical does straight from the box. Check the prices yourself

LabRadar : Hirsch Precision Inc., Shooting Sports Supplies

Hirsch Precision Inc. : LabRadar - Ammunition Accessories Reloading Gun Parts Optics Firearms CLEARANCE Optics Extras Hirsch Precision, Lapua, RCBS, Forster, Sightron Optics , Nightforce Optics, Target Shooting, Sniper, Hunting, Brass, Bullets, Ammunition, Competition, Tactical, Reloading...

www.hirschprecision.com

 

[wkdickinson]

I've been using a Magnetospeed V3 for about 3 years and found it to work great for what I use it for - measuring velocity. Many talk about it changing the POI, group size, placement etc. I have not found that to be the case, but I only use it on heavy barreled target rifles. I understand in theory it must change the barrel harmonics, but apparently not enough that I can identify the effect, but I seldom use when working up a load. I have probably fired 500 to 700 shots across it and it has never missed recording one. It is extremely easy to install, set up and use. I didn't find there to be a "learning curve" at all, just set it up and away you go. Also, you don't need any accessories.

I have never used or even been around a LabRadar, but I have no doubt it is a fine instrument. However, for the difference in price, the value proposition just isn't there, at least for me.

 

[Retired Grunt]

I used my new labradar yesterday for the first time. Read a lot about missed shots and other shooters activating the unit which shows an error. I realized that proper aiming of the unit was critical so I bought a cheap cvlife red dot on Amazon for 28.70 and a short picatinny rail someone makes just for mounting on the labradar. First time using it and didn't miss one shot out of 50 made. No one else was on the range so I didn't get any false errors. I've had the inertia switch ordered for over a month and the seller has even sent a second one but so far both have been lost in the mail.

Check your setting for distance from Barrel to the LR. I had mine set to high.

 

[Jet]

I have a Chrony Beta master, a Magnetospeed, and a Labradar. I never used my Chrony after I bought the Magnetospeed. The Magnetospeed works very well, don't have to wait for the shooting line to shut down to set it up, but the weight on the barrel shifts the point of impact, so I no longer use it to develop loads.

I use my Labradar every time I go to the range. Easy to set up, can do it while the line is hot. I use a 12" long 1/4 dia brass tube through a slightly larger tube which is glued to the top of the case to sight it in. I place the muzzle about 3" to the side of the case , and even with the front of the case, and it is very very reliable in reading the velocities. I have no problems with other Labradars on the line. I mount it on a "travel tripod" which I got on Amazon. This allows me to set up my front and rear rest in a normal arrangement, then place the Labradar at the proper location.

I suggest the Labradar is the best chronograph, and when using the app on your cell phone, it is easier to control than via the buttons on the Labradar case.

I do not load anything under 22 cal, and nothing over 3900 fps, so the Labradar specifications work out fine for me.

My experience is identical to Powderbrake other than how I mount it when shooting.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

A recoil trigger is a must for a Labradar and the Arko machine base is nice as well.

 

[Retired Grunt]

A recoil trigger is a must for a Labradar and the Arko machine base is nice as well.

Thanks, I have the Tripod and was looking for something better.

 

[South Paw Sammy]

Thank y’all for all the information. Seems like it’s 6 in one hand and a 1/2 dozen in the other between the two as far as accuracy. I will be using what ever I get to check velocity while working up loads. And I guess I should have mentioned I’m looking for something more efficient for set up than my oehler 35.
Thanks again y’all.
Sam

 

[rox]

I have a Magnetospeed and recently started regularly using a borrowed Labradar.

I used to use the Magnetospeed for a few sessions of load development then I might not use it for 5 or 10,0000 rounds apart from the occasional check. With the Magnetospeed (or optical chronos) I was either collecting velocity data or shooting/training, and once the ammo was 'good enough' I'd rather be training. Now I have access to a Labradar I can finally do both at the same time - it doesn't effect the rifle balance or vibration, doesn't change the POI, and I don't have to worry about shooting consistently centrally through through the vanes of an optical chrono; I can concentrate on training as normal and the data just gets collected. That means I can collect lots more data and do lots more experimentation without affecting my training. I'm convinced that a lot of people base decisions on data-sets that are far too small, especially to see the effect of small or subtle changes. Once you start basing your statistics on 50 samples instead of 5 to 10 you stand a much better chance of making the right decisions. Each visit to the range I might try a different seating depth, charge, neck tension, change the charge spread, or even shoot multiple incremental series (at short range, where it will have little effect on target) - it's surprising how that 'flat spot' on the charge/velocity graph isn't so flat when you've collected 10 shots at each charge weight. I'm sure that half of these 'flat spots' are really just a low velocity sample within the natural velocity-spread combined with a reading at the low end of the chrono error.