Chronograph

I have a pro chronograph I use to check my bow speed I'm looking for one to check my rifle any suggestions?

patrick021 said:

I have a pro chronograph I use to check my bow speed I'm looking for one to check my rifle any suggestions?

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Lab Radar. Buy once cry once and don't look back.

What's wrong with using your prochrono? I use mine for both bow and rifle.

I shot my muzzleloader this weekend using my labradar and prochrono at the same time. The prochrono consistently recorded 6 fps less than labradar for every shot. I was impressed with the old girl. It does have issues in certain lighting conditions, but not bad for a $100 chronograph. Plus, I cant get labradar to read when I shoot blackhorn out of ml.

For those looking for LabRadar level accuracy without the price tag, Magnetospeed. Labradar are cool but you don't need a $550 chronograph. Your prochrono will do fine but Magnetospeed are a ton easier to use and are more accurate. They're also small and light weight.

I use a magnetospeed sporter and it works perfect. Its a lot cheaper plus I shoot at a busy range a lot and I've heard of issues with the labradar in that situation. There are pros and cons to all.

Beardeddeer91 said:

I use a magnetospeed sporter and it works perfect. Its a lot cheaper plus I shoot at a busy range a lot and I've heard of issues with the labradar in that situation. There are pros and cons to all.

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Isnt a big negative of the magnetospeed is that it changes the harmonics of the barrel so any grouping information you are getting does not necessarily hold true? Basically, if you are running a OCW test, then you cant use the megnetospeeds?

Bigeclipse said:

Isnt a big negative of the magnetospeed is that it changes the harmonics of the barrel so any grouping information you are getting does not necessarily hold true? Basically, if you are running a OCW test, then you cant use the megnetospeeds?

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Exactly why I bought a lab radar.

Bigeclipse said:

Isnt a big negative of the magnetospeed is that it changes the harmonics of the barrel so any grouping information you are getting does not necessarily hold true? Basically, if you are running a OCW test, then you cant use the megnetospeeds?

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In my experience, it will change the POI but not the group size. So, I will use it for load development and pick out my load for a given rifle and then obtain my zero and verify drops afterwards.

Beardeddeer91 said:

In my experience, it will change the POI but not the group size. So, I will use it for load development and pick out my load for a given rifle and then obtain my zero and verify drops afterwards.

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That's the whole point of OCW test is POI and not group sizes...

Beardeddeer91 said:

In my experience, it will change the POI but not the group size. So, I will use it for load development and pick out my load for a given rifle and then obtain my zero and verify drops afterwards.

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I certainly am not contradicting what you say. My experience was quite different however, as my group sizes did change, but that was on a sporter weight barrel. I would venture to say much less if any change on bull barrels and more noticeable change on pencil barrels.

Bigeclipse said:

That's the whole point of OCW test is POI and not group sizes...

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You're right, Brain fart.

jgal72 said:

I shot my muzzleloader this weekend using my labradar and prochrono at the same time. The prochrono consistently recorded 6 fps less than labradar for every shot.

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And that's probably because the prochrono was in front of the muzzle and the labradar was on the bench. A bullet will lose about 1 fps per foot of travel so your prochrono being a few feet downrange explains the different velocities.

The prochrono is a very good unit for the price, I've been using mine for years and it's done great. There are some crap optical chronographs out there but it's not one of them. If I was going to switch to anything it would be the labradar. I don't see the attraction to the magnetospeed, I'd never try to do load workup with something strapped to my barrel, that defeats the purpose.

magnetospeed.