Labradar Tracking .223/5/56 Bullets

ed308 · December 21, 2017, 09:43 PM

Was using my Labradar on my 5.56 reloads and could get it to track only one shot out of 30. Was shooting 68 gr Nosler CC bullets over 24 grs of Varget. I've had no problems tracking 6.8, 6.5 CM or .308. Any suggestions?

ATCDoktor · December 21, 2017, 11:21 PM

Hmmmm, with my Labradar properly aimed with the Bullets flight entirely encompassed in the Doppler field I haven't had any problems tracking .223 bullets out to 125 yards.

I mean it may drop one or two in a 10 shot stringbut by and large it catches them all.

I'd make sure your unit is properly oriented to your target.

ed308 · December 22, 2017, 11:02 AM

It must be a tracking issue. Re-read the manual last night. I'll have to try the straw trick. The aiming notch to the top is not very good.

ATCDoktor · December 22, 2017, 04:57 PM

Reference “aiming” the Labradar, what I did was cut the rim off a 22 Magnum case and duct tape it in aiming groove on top of the unit.

The straw trick will work as well but the brass tube made out of 22 WMRcase is way more durable.

ms6852 · December 22, 2017, 05:53 PM

Dumb question but have to ask. Were there any shooters to your left or right at the time you were using your chrono? If so, this could be the problem. I've never had problems with it using .223 bullets. I do use only 75 gr hornadys though nothing smaller.

LeverGunFan · December 22, 2017, 08:10 PM

To add to the other suggestions, here's a list of the ways I've had failures to track a shot:

1) Low muzzle blast rounds that fail to trigger the unit. Examples are 22 rimfire and 32-20 out of a rifle. You can add an external trigger microphone, or position the muzzle closer and alongside or slightly behind the Labradar. Usually does not generate an error message.

2) Shooting with another person nearby who has a "big boomer" that triggers the Labradar. Then the Labradar starts looking for a projectile, but doesn't detect one. Usually generates an error message on the screen. The external microphone is very susceptible to this. Can adjust the sensitivity to reject nearby shooters.

3) The unit not aimed properly at the target. I've been lax at times in aiming the unit at the target and still had it successfully track projectiles, but I've heard of others who have had problems. If the Labradar triggers from the muzzle blast, I'd expect an error message.

I'm not sure if the offset value setting can cause errors, if for example 6 inches is set but the spacing is 12 inches or greater, or vice versa.

Early testing by Bryan Litz - writer of several books on ballistics - had failures to track .223 bullets with a concave base. I think this has been fixed, but I'm not sure.

Is the Labradar not triggering with no error message, or is it generating a failure to track error message?

ed308 · December 23, 2017, 11:50 AM

I was getting the "Acquisition error: could not track the projectile" error message. I'm thinking it was aiming. Maybe I had it aimed to high to track 68 gr bullets I was firing. I moved the unit around, changed the aim point and dropped the sensitivity down to 1 but still only picked up one out of thirty shots. It's odd that it picked up one shot and not others. I going to install a better aiming device on it. That aiming sight is the weak point of the device. But other than that, I really like it.

**Unclenick** · December 23, 2017, 01:18 PM

Have you got the latest firmware? You can also check with the maker on this, but from your description, it does not sound like a triggering error.

FrankenMauser · December 23, 2017, 03:34 PM

The boat tail on the Nosler bullet is likely a contributing factor. It leaves the Labradar unit tracking the equivalent of a .17 caliber bullet.

ed308 · December 23, 2017, 03:49 PM

I do have the latest firmware. That is interesting about the Nosler Custom Comp bullets. I think all of the ammo (except for the Hornady) I tested was tipped with the Custom Comps.

December 21, 2017, 09:43 PM	#1
ed308 Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2016 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,147	Labradar Tracking .223/5/56 Bullets Was using my Labradar on my 5.56 reloads and could get it to track only one shot out of 30. Was shooting 68 gr Nosler CC bullets over 24 grs of Varget. I've had no problems tracking 6.8, 6.5 CM or .308. Any suggestions?

December 22, 2017, 11:02 AM	#3
ed308 Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2016 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,147	It must be a tracking issue. Re-read the manual last night. I'll have to try the straw trick. The aiming notch to the top is not very good. Last edited by ed308; December 23, 2017 at 11:51 AM.

December 22, 2017, 08:10 PM	#6
LeverGunFan Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 426	To add to the other suggestions, here's a list of the ways I've had failures to track a shot: 1) Low muzzle blast rounds that fail to trigger the unit. Examples are 22 rimfire and 32-20 out of a rifle. You can add an external trigger microphone, or position the muzzle closer and alongside or slightly behind the Labradar. Usually does not generate an error message. 2) Shooting with another person nearby who has a "big boomer" that triggers the Labradar. Then the Labradar starts looking for a projectile, but doesn't detect one. Usually generates an error message on the screen. The external microphone is very susceptible to this. Can adjust the sensitivity to reject nearby shooters. 3) The unit not aimed properly at the target. I've been lax at times in aiming the unit at the target and still had it successfully track projectiles, but I've heard of others who have had problems. If the Labradar triggers from the muzzle blast, I'd expect an error message. I'm not sure if the offset value setting can cause errors, if for example 6 inches is set but the spacing is 12 inches or greater, or vice versa. Early testing by Bryan Litz - writer of several books on ballistics - had failures to track .223 bullets with a concave base. I think this has been fixed, but I'm not sure. Is the Labradar not triggering with no error message, or is it generating a failure to track error message? __________________ *Support the Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition*

December 23, 2017, 01:18 PM	#8
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,742	Have you got the latest firmware? You can also check with the maker on this, but from your description, it does not sound like a triggering error. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 23, 2017, 03:34 PM	#9
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,774	The boat tail on the Nosler bullet is likely a contributing factor. It leaves the Labradar unit tracking the equivalent of a .17 caliber bullet. __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

December 21, 2017, 11:21 PM	#2
ATCDoktor Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2006 Posts: 172	Hmmmm, with my Labradar properly aimed with the Bullets flight entirely encompassed in the Doppler field I haven't had any problems tracking .223 bullets out to 125 yards. I mean it may drop one or two in a 10 shot stringbut by and large it catches them all. I'd make sure your unit is properly oriented to your target.

December 22, 2017, 04:57 PM	#4
ATCDoktor Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2006 Posts: 172	Reference “aiming” the Labradar, what I did was cut the rim off a 22 Magnum case and duct tape it in aiming groove on top of the unit. The straw trick will work as well but the brass tube made out of 22 WMRcase is way more durable.

December 22, 2017, 05:53 PM	#5
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	Dumb question but have to ask. Were there any shooters to your left or right at the time you were using your chrono? If so, this could be the problem. I've never had problems with it using .223 bullets. I do use only 75 gr hornadys though nothing smaller.

December 23, 2017, 11:50 AM	#7
ed308 Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2016 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,147	I was getting the "Acquisition error: could not track the projectile" error message. I'm thinking it was aiming. Maybe I had it aimed to high to track 68 gr bullets I was firing. I moved the unit around, changed the aim point and dropped the sensitivity down to 1 but still only picked up one out of thirty shots. It's odd that it picked up one shot and not others. I going to install a better aiming device on it. That aiming sight is the weak point of the device. But other than that, I really like it.

December 23, 2017, 03:49 PM	#10
ed308 Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2016 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,147	I do have the latest firmware. That is interesting about the Nosler Custom Comp bullets. I think all of the ammo (except for the Hornady) I tested was tipped with the Custom Comps.