Magneto Speed does affect POI in my instance. I went to a LabRadar as I shoot 2-4 rifles in a session allowing the barrel to cool on each rifle between strings. It's much easier and the setup for the LabRadar is quite simple. If you can aim a rifle, you're set.
What chronograph
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Danny Butler
Well-Known Member
I have an Oehler 35P .. it's old model three screen with the middle screen being a check screen. It gives a complete read out of your shots fired .. fastest, slowest, standard deviation ect...it has always worked great. I thought about the Magnetospeed... glad I read this..
SavageHunter11
Well-Known Member
I have one of all three (MagnetoSpeed, Chronys Optical, and LabRadar) and of the three the MagnetoSpeed v3 is the one I always grab. My shooting range is always busy and I've had issues with other people's bullets being picked up with the LabRadar. The MagnetoSpeed is quick and easy to setup, the point of impact shifts a bit but group sizes typically stay the same. All the people complaining that with a MagnetoSpeed forcing them to shoot extra are apparently in the wrong hobby/sport. For the money you can't beat a MagnetoSpeed in my opinion but I will admit, when I am shooting by myself at the range or when I visit the family farm the LabRadar is nice to have.
I've been using an An Oehler 35 for the past years. The Proof Channel ability really is an asset. In all my tests, it has notified me a couple time when there may have been a false reading. This is because each velocity is read twice, then compared, if the two are not in agreement the Model 35 alerts you of a possible error. You then have the option to save or delete that round from the string of data of statistics. They are time consuming to set up but am extremely happy with the results. I have interest in the Lab Radar, but would only consider investing in one after I had a chance to test one.
I own both and both are spot on. Sometimes measuring exactly the same. Both are not that complicated to setup. POI is minimal at best and is not much different than putting a Supressor on your rig. My light sandero and heavy barreled rigs have no poi shift with magnetto speed. When I first got my magnetto speed I had a issue with the cord that's provided to attach the readout and bayonet together. Purchased a quality cord for $10 and took care of it. I like both and you will be happy with either. 2 friends of mine have magnetto speed and are very happy with it.
BigCarrot
Well-Known Member
I had an Oehler, which was the gold standard back in the day, but dumped it for a Magneto Speed. It's great, but I think it's kind of a pain in the ace to set up, and in my experience, it does impact the barrel harmonics. Muzzle brakes, different barrel contours, and suppressors all make adjusting it a bit of a hassle, and I sometimes have trouble keeping mine tight. I've been thinking about trying a LabRadar.
smokepoler
Well-Known Member
Do you own one? I've done load development on over twenty different rifles and bolt action handguns with the MS for shooting to 1000 yards and never had to change a load. POI changes but the load stays the same. 99.9% of the badmouthing MS is BS.
MarshMello
Active Member
I use a Magnetospeed. POI does change slightly (.4 in or so at 100) but load work up is unaffected. Friend of mine uses a Labrader right next to me when we shoot. Small learning curve to get it working consistently ( he ended up putting it on a tripod instead of on bench next to him) but once he got it figured out, no issues. If I were purchasing both new, I would go with the Labradar. If you got a deal on a used Magnetospeed, it's perfectly serviceable. I know MPA makes a stand off that connects to your chassis to keep the unit off the barrel but total cost of that set up new (if you even have a compatible chassis) takes you almost to the cost of a Lab.
Tex_Hunter
Well-Known Member
I bought a Magnetospeed V3 because it worked for more of the most common scenarios I need a chrono for than the LabRadar. I do the majority of my load workups at an indoor range and space is limited to its nice to just strap it on and shoot.
Ive shot groups with it in place and other than a ~0.5Mil shift down I havent noticed a material change in group size (helps that my lightest barrel is an 18" #5 contour), but I still dont run it when trying to get group data for load dev out of superstition. To be honest though, when Im shooting for groups Im not really concerned about velocity data.
My process when I'm working with a new bullet/powder is I generally load 10-15 rounds starting a grain or two below max and run up to about 105% of book max in 0.3gr increments, strap on the chrono and get a rough idea of velocity and pressure with that combo. If I see a flat spot on the velocity I will bracket that by 0.6gr on either side and load up 5 groups of 3 (otherwise I just back off 0.1gr from the highest charge I got before pressure signs and load the same 5 groups of 3 descending from that point) and shoot for groups without the chrono attached, pick the best group, load 10 at that charge weight and chrono it for ES and SD. By the time I'm done I've only spent 50 or so rounds.
This method has gotten me multiple loads for 4 different rifles that shot sub half MOA with single digit SDs, so it seems to work ok.
For this kind of work, the Magnetospeed is more than enough.
I convinced my shooting buddy to buy a LabRadar recently so now we can just borrow from each other if needed.
Ive shot groups with it in place and other than a ~0.5Mil shift down I havent noticed a material change in group size (helps that my lightest barrel is an 18" #5 contour), but I still dont run it when trying to get group data for load dev out of superstition. To be honest though, when Im shooting for groups Im not really concerned about velocity data.
My process when I'm working with a new bullet/powder is I generally load 10-15 rounds starting a grain or two below max and run up to about 105% of book max in 0.3gr increments, strap on the chrono and get a rough idea of velocity and pressure with that combo. If I see a flat spot on the velocity I will bracket that by 0.6gr on either side and load up 5 groups of 3 (otherwise I just back off 0.1gr from the highest charge I got before pressure signs and load the same 5 groups of 3 descending from that point) and shoot for groups without the chrono attached, pick the best group, load 10 at that charge weight and chrono it for ES and SD. By the time I'm done I've only spent 50 or so rounds.
This method has gotten me multiple loads for 4 different rifles that shot sub half MOA with single digit SDs, so it seems to work ok.
For this kind of work, the Magnetospeed is more than enough.
I convinced my shooting buddy to buy a LabRadar recently so now we can just borrow from each other if needed.
SavageHunter11
Well-Known Member
I completely agree. I think shooters hear that it shifts POI and they immediately discount it. Do your load development and get your velocity data after you find your node, it's not a hard concept.
Waytoofar
Member
This is my exact setup!
A chronograph is the single best indicator of pressure the average shooter can use. By the time primes crater and ejector marks appear you are already past safe pressure. When primer pockets enlarge or bolts get sticky you are far into the danger zone. To develop a load and not measure the velocity as you add powder is asking for trouble.
I have often hit max velocity at well below published max load, and any time you hit a spot where you are adding powder and velocity doesn't change you have reached max safe pressure. I always stop loading at max published velocity, if the bullet is traveling faster it is also getting higher pressure than the published load. Most of the time, there are no classic pressure signs till you are well above safe pressure/speed.
A Chronograph that allows you to measure every shot during load development and accuracy testing is a key requirement as far as I am concerned. For this reason, a Chrony, Caldwell or Labradar are my preferred choices with the Labrader taking first place for most cartridges.
I have often hit max velocity at well below published max load, and any time you hit a spot where you are adding powder and velocity doesn't change you have reached max safe pressure. I always stop loading at max published velocity, if the bullet is traveling faster it is also getting higher pressure than the published load. Most of the time, there are no classic pressure signs till you are well above safe pressure/speed.
A Chronograph that allows you to measure every shot during load development and accuracy testing is a key requirement as far as I am concerned. For this reason, a Chrony, Caldwell or Labradar are my preferred choices with the Labrader taking first place for most cartridges.
Echo Charlie
Well-Known Member
I have an Oehler 35P since... It's an old model with 3 screens being the middle one to double check velocities. It's bulky and a bit time consuming to set up but as worked fine until now. Also have a Chrony that I use when its windy as it is lighter. Have check the indicated velocities using both at the same time. Don't remember exact numbers but at the time numbers were similar.
Not interested on Magnetospeed because I want to measure velocities and read POI at the same time. Labradar in my country costs $1,230 USD!!! so its not on my priorities.
Could ask an US friend to bring one to me but its a lot of money anyway.
Does anyone ever compared the numbers from an Oheler and a Labradar? Or has the chance to do it?
I would appreciate any feed back and probably not only me.
If numbers were the same I would keep using my Oehler and save money for powder and bullets
Thanks in advance
Not interested on Magnetospeed because I want to measure velocities and read POI at the same time. Labradar in my country costs $1,230 USD!!! so its not on my priorities.
Could ask an US friend to bring one to me but its a lot of money anyway.
Does anyone ever compared the numbers from an Oheler and a Labradar? Or has the chance to do it?
I would appreciate any feed back and probably not only me.
If numbers were the same I would keep using my Oehler and save money for powder and bullets
Thanks in advance
sodakota
Well-Known Member
I can't justify the dollars for Labradar for me. I don't have the Magnetospeed either.
For my dollars, the Caldwell works good enough.
I think the Labradar and the Magnetospeed are ok too.
As far as point of impact changing, not an issue for me with the Magnetospeed, I would not let that issue be a deciding point. I have 17 through 416 calibers, the only issue I've had was putting the screens too close with the boomers.
I've heard Labradar doesn't pick up fast 17's, I don't know. They all have pluses and minuses.
For my dollars, the Caldwell works good enough.
I think the Labradar and the Magnetospeed are ok too.
As far as point of impact changing, not an issue for me with the Magnetospeed, I would not let that issue be a deciding point. I have 17 through 416 calibers, the only issue I've had was putting the screens too close with the boomers.
I've heard Labradar doesn't pick up fast 17's, I don't know. They all have pluses and minuses.
