labradar dropping shots

[stagpanther]

One of the biggest beefs I've heard (and have experienced myself) is the unit often dropping shots--even when the previous shot(s) were grabbed by the unit. So like a lot of people I messed around with sensitivity settings and recoil cables to try to improve data captured. The labradar is a big sail next to the blast--and can be moved around. I started anchoring my tripod with a 15 lb dumbbell and that gives it much better stability--now the data/shots recording has improved markedly. I suspect the the unit "freaks out" (for lack of better description) if it is moving while the bullet is in flight.

Why did it take me many years and tens of thousands of shots to figure that out? Uhhh, no comment.

[tangolima]

Does your gun have muzzle brake? If it does, you want to place the unit a couple inches ahead of the muzzle.

-TL

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[Nathan]

Has this eliminated the problem?

[stagpanther]

Has this eliminated the problem?

You always need to aim it as well as you can--but I believe the unit moving around as a result of muzzle blast (or wind) probably resulted in a large portion of the dropped shots I've had. My personal belief about why the new small chrono units are so popular is mostly their compact size makes them easier and faster to set-up and are engineered to capture the shots with less aiming. I still haven't been convinced they have a technological breakthrough that makes the labradar obselete. In fact, I've seen the labradars priced all the way down around $250.00--that's incredible for what you get IMO.

[tangolima]

Originally Posted by stagpanther

You always need to aim it as well as you can--but I believe the unit moving around as a result of muzzle blast (or wind) probably resulted in a large portion of the dropped shots I've had. My personal belief about why the new small chrono units are so popular is mostly their compact size makes them easier and faster to set-up and are engineered to capture the shots with less aiming. I still haven't been convinced they have a technological breakthrough that makes the labradar obselete. In fact, I've seen the labradars priced all the way down around $250.00--that's incredible for what you get IMO.

The muzzle blast exactly. Without a brake, the blast washes forward, so the unit should be placed a couple of inches behind. With a brake, the blast washes backwards, so the unit should be placed ahead.

-TL

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[stagpanther]

The muzzle blast exactly. Without a brake, the blast washes forward, so the unit should be placed a couple of inches behind. With a brake, the blast washes backwards, so the unit should be placed ahead.

Yes, I'm familiar with where different weapons need to be placed relative to the unit's sensors. Powerful discharges with brakes I put the muzzle well out in front--and well away to the side.You seem to be suggesting the reverse.

[tangolima]

Originally Posted by stagpanther

Yes, I'm familiar with where different weapons need to be placed relative to the unit's sensors. Powerful discharges with brakes I put the muzzle well out in front--and well away to the side.You seem to be suggesting the reverse.

Brake directs gas to the side and rearward to counter the gun's recoil force. The gas will knock the unit over if it is placed to side behind the muzzle.

Better yet, it is in the manual.

-TL

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[Metal god]

How stable does the unit need to be ? How much wind induced movement or any movement on a tall tripod will the unit allow ?

If the unit is particularly sensitive the movement and you need it high enough for table top shooting. A heavy duty tripod with weights on the legs or how you have it set up seems like the way to go .

I’ve shot with Tango and he shoots prone most of the time having the chrono low to the ground which seems to be pretty stable . Up on a tripod seems to be just asking for movement ?

Stag do you shoot every shot using the lab radar? Or do you only test 5 to 10 shots once you get a load dialed in to get the velocity? If you’re not using it all the time I’d consider shooting prone to get velocities and getting a low base/stand to have a little more stability for the unit ?.

[tangolima]

I used to shoot bench top. The radar was on tall tripod on the ground about 8" on either side of the muzzle. I could have put it on the bench, but I found tripod was more flexible, especially for long barrels. It works quite alright, as long as I followed the tips on putting the radar either ahead or behind the muzzle depending on whether there is brake. Mostly it is ahead as I'm not really fond of muzzle brake.

However, of the muzzle blast moves the radar, it will drop shots. I also found the best aim point is 1 foot to the right and 1 foot above the target.

-TL

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[stagpanther]

It is not a chronic issue for me--it only happens now and then--and usually with big magnums or any situation that might induce movement in the labradar--like strong winds. I have many year's experience using labradar for recording my hand-load results; if I thought it had a chronic problem I would have ditched it long ago. Shooting prone doesn't work for where I shoot for a number of reasons (like potentially getting run over by a front-loader), though it is a great way to shoot. BTW, here is the page from the owner's manual that refers to alignment of the unit.

[tangolima]

Here is in the quick setup card. It explains in more details. 90 degree should be called flash hider. 45 degree is a brake.

I actually followed the manual page and place the brake ahead of the radar. It never worked. The shock wave pushed it out of aim or even simply knocked it over. Then I found the card, which makes sense.

-TL

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[Metal god]

(like potentially getting run over by a front-loader)

Lol yeah that would suck ! Carry on you’re doing great

[RC20]

Does your gun have muzzle brake? If it does, you want to place the unit a couple inches ahead of the muzzle.

I have a MB for one rifle. I just move the LR far back behind the line of phoom as it were, no issue.

I have seen a few dropped shots. I also built my own base out of steel plate so that may be an advantage if motion is involved.

With the benches I shoot off of, you can't put the LR past the muzzle, it would fall off. I would think its rare to have a bench long enough to do that.

Yes you can use a Tripod but then how do you operate the LR?

[tangolima]

The unit doesn't need to be "operated". Press button to arm, and it will stay armed till it times out from the last shot.

There is app that link to the unit via Bluetooth. That should make it quite "operable", even from distance.

-TL

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