I have used the V3 Magnetospeed for five years now on my Desert tech SRS 31" 338 Lapua / 6.5 PRC barrels both suppressed and not. I never noticed any POI shift, but my barrels are heavy
Labradar vs magnetospeed v3
- Thread starter Bigeclipse
- Start date
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I made my own forearm mount for the V3 recently and do like the way it works. Since I have been using it on this mount it has been much quicker and more solid too. I am now looking at making a more variable mount that will adjust for more guns, and in ways the wiser and m&k cannot, all while being much more ridged. I think the V3 Mag speed with a mount is the simple, reliable solution, and is small enough to carry in your pack when traveling. Lab radar can provide a lot of info, and is a high end instrument, but I am surprised to hear how many issues people are have with it. I was thinking about getting one, but I have decided against it. I shoot most of my target and development rounds over the Mag speed to get as much data as possible out of every session, and it works 100% of the time!
My vote is for the Magnetospeed.
My vote is for the Magnetospeed.
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I was one of the ones worried about pointing the Labradar to get readings. In practice its not so critical - I've seen the gadgets, the straw etc. Just sight down the V notch to roughly down the centre of your target and you are done. No big deal. Now if you want to get a reading say each 25 yards until 100 or 200 yards you may need assistance to fine tune the positioning.I have the V3 and am wanting to get my hands on the labradar. The complaints that I've heard involve pointing the gizmo at the target. You should be able to shoot groups easily once you get it squared away.
Far as I'm concerned, the V3 is good at reading velocities. Shooting groups with something hanging off the end of the barrel is a waste of time IMHO. Once you take it off, your rifle will shoot to a different POI (sporter contour barrels).
In any event, if you buy one let us know how it goes.
The bigger issue is triggering the **** thing when you have a muzzle brake. I could not get a reading with a brake (V angled one) but normal barrels were OK at my range. Now its only an issue because at my range I could not position the Labradar safely within the range rules that this occurs which would be slightly in front of the firing line. Our range also has side baffles between shooting benches which are bad for the Labradar you have to get the unit in front of the side baffles or move it towards centre of the shooting lane.
For me the issue of the unreliability to get readings was rectified when I got a JKL recoil sensor. Now Labradar is super reliable and also eliminates false triggering from other shooters. I've also managed to get readings indoors. Some say don't use full power but I found low power wont give me readings past 3000fps for a 30 cal.
For ladder testing always fire a test shot before commencing your ladder.
Labradar comes into its own when you have several rifles to test loads for at one range session.
Sweet set up.
davidu
Well-Known Member
I have a MagnetoSpeed v3 and have at times lusted for a Labradar.
I bought the Wiser Precision to hold the MS off the barrel because I wanted to chrono as many shots as possible. The Wiser Precision picatinny attachment caused me a lot of grief as the tiny springs would pop out never to be found. I got some more springs and glued them into the little holes. Now it works ok.
I would and could buy a Labradar, but being hard headed I won't because the unit ( at a substantial cost) has to be supplemented with added parts that I think should be part of the package.
Not a very insightful review if I do say so myself.
I bought the Wiser Precision to hold the MS off the barrel because I wanted to chrono as many shots as possible. The Wiser Precision picatinny attachment caused me a lot of grief as the tiny springs would pop out never to be found. I got some more springs and glued them into the little holes. Now it works ok.
I would and could buy a Labradar, but being hard headed I won't because the unit ( at a substantial cost) has to be supplemented with added parts that I think should be part of the package.
Not a very insightful review if I do say so myself.
lunatic209
Well-Known Member
Labradar for the many reasons mentioned already. With the magnetospeed I've had to shoot for velocity and es/sd spread, take it off and shoot groups and zeroing after. With the LabRadar I could have saved a few rounds there and many other times. I found in both sporter and heavy barrels the POI shifts at least 5 inches with the magnetospeed on.
I wonder what the difference in our circumstances and setups (when I still used the strap) are to cause such a variation? I never saw that kind of deviation, some do seem to have that, and that's partly I made a mount. The mount is also much easier to install and so much more secure. What range were you seeing a 5 inch POI shift at? I usually shoot at 100 yards for data.
lunatic209
Well-Known Member
100 yards
John Klingenberg
Well-Known Member
Not to RIP this thread but once you buy a labradar and all the gizmos to make it user friendly, bases, triggers, aiming devices etc, what's the final investment?
ShtrRdy
Well-Known Member
I have both a Labradar and a Magnetospeed. Both produce accurate data. The Labradar wins on ease of use, and the Magnetospeed wins on cost.
The Labradar is so easy to use, and doesn't disturb group size or point of aim, that I use it pretty much everytime I shoot at targets.
JMHO
Where did you get that ball swivel thingy that you mounted on the wood?
Varmint Hunter
Well-Known Member
Yes, the group will change with anything attached on your barrel. It's the same principle on how the tuner works. Weights on the barrel changes barrel harmonics and will affect your groups for sure.
Magnetospeed always impressed me as a project for MacGyver types for all the jury rigging for different rifles, and barrel mount having its impact on shooting for groups. Magnetospeed mounted on barrel impacts POI when shooting for groups. Why have to shot double shots to get velocities and groups? Should get velocities of actual group shots. DUH!?!?!? LabRadar is great. Two additions seem to solve all the problems always mentioned........JKL Precision trigger (~$35) solves the neighboring shot pick up; LabRadar picainny sight mount from sights1968 on EBAY($15-$18) handles the aiming issue., see pics. Mount inexpensive scope as pictured, or red dot, or use hole molded into the device (ala the straw sightuing method) to sight the LabRadar. Some feel the LabRadar is too expensive. Everyone's budget is different. But, just buddy up with several others and the price issue goes away. Get the good stuff and don't look back. Buy once; cry once; happy ever after.
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