Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters JULY column--Chronographs

I need to get me labradar..

A sensitive nose?

^ This.

I currently use a Labradar mainly for load development. Not interested in getting the fastest speed, just consistent speed. I've had several over the years, the first being a Chrony over 30 years ago.

ahumm - Oh yes, my friend. You'd 'think' that 'consistent' velocities INDICATE an accurate load . But NOT necessarily so.
There are other things that enter the equation. So far I haven't found THE thing most important to tell me what an accurate load is........

other than shooting groups.


Jerry

thanks again Mule Deer i would have P.M. you with these Questions ,but i think others may want to know these answers too. i would be interested in how well you like your new Labradar too in 5-6 months. Pete53

Pete,

I've used it at the range probably 8-10 times now, so can provide something of a review already. Here are the positives:

Unlike the other popular chronograph that doesn't have to be out in front of the bench, the Magnetospeed, I don't have to change the chronograph from rifle to rifle, and the Labradar also doesn't affect accuracy or point-of-impact, as the Magnetospeed usually does. (Or, if using the MS on a stand, as some people do, I don't have to align the Labradar perfectly and closely in front of the muzzle for every rifle.)

It sets up very easily.

The 100-yard range I usually shoot at has target stands not just at 100 yards but 25, 50 and 75,, lined up alternately alongside the lane to the 100-yard target. Unlike light-screen chronographs, I can shoot at any of them without have to move the chronograph. This saves a considerable amount of time, as I normally shoot several rifles (and sometimes handguns or slug guns) during each range session.

I have read reviews of the Labradar that said it went through batteries very quickly--and it uses 6 AA's, which can get expensive. I purchased a batch of 24 at a local store, rather than automatically buying the optional rechargeable battery pack, to see if this was true. So far have not had to change the first set of batteries, perhaps because I turn the unit off when needing to change rifles or targets.

Here are the negatives:

Unlike the Oehler 35P, it doesn't provide a double-check of each bullet's velocity.

It also doesn't work on bullets under .20 caliber or going over 4000 fps, and the Oehler does. I don't shoot many of those, but still do more than occasionally (probably more than most shooters) because of what I do.

According to the directions, it won't work down around zero Fahrenheit, and I usually do some 0 (or minus) testing every winter. In 2017-18, for example, I made four cold tests with various rifles and loads. I haven't had an opportunity to test this, because the coldest its been since purchasing the Labradar is around 35-40.

Unless those limitations change, the Oehler is still my go-to-chronograph for many purposes.

my reasons for changing to this type of chronograph " Labradar" is set-up would be easier,i am in a heated shooting house,but wonder if it still works if barrel is in shooting window ? but i can shoot inside window too if i had too ? my main reason is light problems with a Ohler in northern Minnesota we have very poor sunlight in winter . and again thank you for the info,Pete53

25 Creedmoor i am almost done with stock now to install the new barrel , i hope in the near future some rifle manufacture starts building this cartridge and sends one your way ! that would give me a big grin for better reloading data !

Pete, the Labradar used Doppler radar to sense the bullet's flight toward the target, recording it several times. It calculates the muzzle velocity from those several radar readings, so you can't use it inside a shooting house unless there's a hole in front of the chronograph.

My current chronograph is from Caldwell. I use it mainly for verification on the consistency of velocities. I picked this one as it syncs via Bluetooth to my smart phone. I can observe each shot on the phone. The phone app allows me to save groups of shots into a file. It allows for deleting of a problem round It gives me my spread and SD. I can also attach a photo of my group to the file. I can record as many rounds as I wish to a file

Here is a screen shot of one of the files from my phone



An ad for my chrono

https://shop.brownells.com/shooting...msclkid=6034954b47c11458e438c8683fe545bd

Technology marches on! I have the Pro Chrono Digital, which is the model just before the DLX. I purchased the bluetooth module in order to use my tablet or phone, but the DLX has built in Bluetooth.

Another option, if you are shopping around for a new Chronograph. The DLX lists for $135, but it might be a bit cheaper if you look around.



https://www.competitionelectronics.com/product/prochrono-dlx/

I think I'd gladly forego the printer on my 35P for the Bluetooth feature, but I'd never give up the 35P's technical superiority. Maybe a Labradar someday...

True, consistent velocity doesn't indicate an accurate load. However, once you've sorted the accuracy out, it's important for long range shooting if you're into that.

Mule Deer,
i do have 2 windows in front of my cement bench a left and a right both are 10 inch by 14 inches high 2 feet apart would that work ? i shoot out of the right hole . or do you have the phone number for Labradar. i hate to spend $600.00 if it won`t work in my warm dry shooting house .thank you,Pete53

Nice writeup, Sir. You "Get it" with respect to measuring velocity.

I must admit, however, that the first photo made me think "He's got M57 screens AND knows about using a blast shield!!"

The thing I miss about those screens (don't have them since I retired) was their large (and forgiving) window. Of course, they also need standard power (AC).

Thanks for sharing your insight.

Buford,

Very much appreciated!

The Oehler photo was taken at the Western Powders pressure lab.

I hear a lot of talk about the time & trouble of setting up certain chronos.



** Dr. Oehler & M D tell us that chronos give better accuracy with 'farther' screen spacing.
>>> I mounted my screens EXACTLY 5 ' C - C in a 2X4 first then a 2X6 with S S III. No muss, No fuss, Doesn't take long.
I'm going to mount the IIIs flush with the top of the board, just haven't gotten a roundtuit.

I set up with the first screen 10' from my muzzle.




PIX for demo only.






Jerry

Good info, I usually shoot through a chronograph but ocassionally at them. This is why I would not borrow this tool from others.
I do get annoyed with all the useless info they gather these days. Start / stop is good enough for me. I don't need the additional Brain clutter.
Perhaps it is just me but slowing things down a tad to make entries in my journal is fun.

I would say that most people don't need an expensive chronograph. An error of a few fps isn't going to make any difference to the majority of reloaders, but like a lot of hobby related things, people are willing to spend huge amounts to say that they own certain pieces of equipment.

living in Minnesota we have winter and the ground is white up to 6 months a year ,but i have plenty time to reload and shoot my rifles all winter long but getting enough light in the winter for my chronograph to work right can be a big problem with all the trees in my rifle range in the winter. but shooting in a warm dry shooting house is very nice and i am not giving that up. so if i can find a way to use a Labradar Chronograph inside this shooting house i will purchase one , besides setting up and taking down my Ohler is a pain in the rear end in the winter most of the time it involves shoveling snow too so the Ohler is level . if its cloudy the chronograph will not work otherwise i have to wait tell 10 or 11 am for the sun to be high enough for any chronograph to work in the winter and be done by 2 pm, so i have a very short window of opportunity to use a chronograph too. this is why i ask these questions about a Labradar Chronograph i need or want a different type way to measure FPS better and longer in the winter in my warm dry shooting house. believe me once you shoot in this type of shooting house you won`t ever again enjoy shooting in the winter outdoors on cold nasty bench again all dressed up trying to stay warm or even when its hot i am in the shade with a big over head fan keep`n me cooler too.

I use my Labradar at an indoor pistol range. As long as the front of the unit is unobstructed by a barrier, I don't see it being an issue unless there is a temperature issue as discussed by MD earlier.