I thought I might start a new thread for this, as the discussion on the other thread is regarding a recommendation for a chronograph.

A question was asked whether installing the MagnetoSpeed would have any effect on the accuracy of the rifle.

First rifle we tried was a Walther KK 200 match 22 Rim Fire rifle, with various ammo.

3 - 5 shots groups were fired from each type of ammo, without the MagnetoSpeed and 3 - 5 shot groups with, at 100 yards.

First group is without, second is with it installed.

1. 0.631 0.525
0.766 0.720
0.829 0.821 average 0.7453 0.6867

2. 0.576 0.769
0.860 0.433
0.478 0.520 0.6380 0.5740

3. 0.626 0.622
0.360 0.255
0.245 0.286 0.4103 0.3877

4. 0.747 0.549
0.745 0.547
0.862 0.567 0.7847 0.5543

5. 0.280 0.583
0.742 0.502
0.779 0.458 0.6003 0.5143

6. 0.940 1.220
1.135 0.974
0.790 0.684 0.9550 0.9593

7. 0.466 0.237
0.830 0.753
0.990 0.643 0.7620 0.3266

I am going to try it on a 223 next.

So am I reading your data correct for the averages? All but one showed better accuracy with it installed?

The MagnetoSpeed has great potential as an "in-the-field" quick check of velocity, especially as velocity might change from ammo temperature change.

The MagnetoSpeed appears to be light, compact, and transportable.

What kind of power supply does it require?

I think that group size is less important than group shift. How does the Magnetospeed affect group center?

A .22 rimfire with a relatively heavy barrel won't have its grouping or point of impact potentially changed nearly so much from a weight hung on the muzzle as will a higher intensity centerfire. There are much greater muzzle oscillations on the centerfire, and therefore more opportunity for the weight to influence where and how accurately the gun shoots.

Try the same test with a .300 Magnum and see what the results are.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerard:
I think that group size is less important than group shift. How does the Magnetospeed affect group center?

Not much.

I think Stonecreek nailed it. Wrong rifle and cartridge for the test results to be significant.Try a whimpy barreled 7mm Rem. mag.
roger

quote:

Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
The MagnetoSpeed has great potential as an "in-the-field" quick check of velocity, especially as velocity might change from ammo temperature change.

The MagnetoSpeed appears to be light, compact, and transportable.

What kind of power supply does it require?

9 volt battery.

I have both a Magnetospeed and a Chrony. The Mag has the advantage of being light and weather neutral and it also takes velocity measures at the actual muzzle.

On the other hand it's not going to really work on a shotgun or a handgun. So that's Chrony time.

It's also a lot easier to shoot the Magnetospeed bayonet.

I do like the computer on the Magnetospeed. it's really nice and the memory card in it does a nice job keeping long strings of data intact.

The only "problem" I find with this test is that it lends some credibility to the use of the dang rubber barrel doughnuts...

I found this MagnetoSpeed review on Midway.

Note the muzzle-blast induced sensor erosion after ~70 rounds.

This could lead to short life for this style of chronograph, unless there's an easy fix.

The good:
1. Setup is simple, no need to interrupt the line or wait for line breaks.
2. Good repeatability and reproducibility (geek talk).
3. No issues connecting to my Android phone with the optional XFR kit (shared data with partners)
4. It works when installed on an FN/FAL, bolt action varmint 223, two different AR, precision 308 rifle with a VAIS muzzle brake.
5. It is very compact, fits inside my shooting bag, no tripod, cables, brackets...Remember to bring an extra battery (ManetoSpeed shows current battery voltage)
+
The not so good:
1. I was unable to collect data on a 625 4" revolver (.45 ACP) even after adjusting sensitivity.
2. The sensor after ~70+ rounds shows signs of gas erosion on the surfaces exposed to the muzzle blast. According to the manufacturer this is acceptable and if it fails (within warranty) it would be replaced.
Not satisfied with this response I covered the affected areas with adhesive backed stainless steel foil. No issues after 100+ rounds.
3. XFR is great however you need to unplug the sensor in order to connect and send data through your phone. Long term durability could be an issue.

Here are the results of a 223 Remington.

Rifle was a Remington 700 PSS, with Bushnell Elite 6-24X scope

Ammo is ADCOM Match 69 grains.

Groups at 100 yards off the bench.

Started off with a clean barrel, shot all groups without it on.

Cleaned the barrel, and shot the rest.

1. 0.500 0.657
0.647 0.668
0.633 1.055 0.5933 0.7933

2. 1.008 0.726
0.814 0.632
0.781 0.606 0.8677 0.6547

3. 0.485 1.024
0.612 0.580
0.533 0.666 0.5433 0.7567

4. 0.525 0.684
0.467 0.484
0.390 0.688 0.4607 0.6187

5. 0.794 0.694
0.336 1.136
0.520 0.475 0.5500 0.7683

6. 0.766 0.966
0.503 0.715
0.645 1.023 0.6380 0.9013

Saeed, Can you do something in a large powder capacity 7mm or 30cal. with a feather weight barrel ? roger

I am afraid I do not have light weight rifles with thin barrels.
I don't like rifles with either light or short barrels.

Sorry, Saeed, but I can make neither heads nor tails of which group is which in your last post. Could you clarify?

Same as with the 22 rim fire.

First group is without, second with.

Each three groups were averaged, and again, firs is without and second is with it on.

Saeed,

As you do this test, could you keep track of any developing muzzle blast erosion of the sensor and whether it could cause failure.

Thanks.

AIU

Next is going to be a 300 Winchester Magnum, and after that I am not sure how much use will this get, as I prefer to use the Oehler for chronograph work.

I found that it is very difficult to set to read 22 rim fire ammo. I was getting reading which were incorrect.

Worked fine with the 223 Remington though.

So back to the Oehler for our normal velocity checks.

I think one would need to shoot quite a lot of ammo for the metal guard to be worn out.

And I am sure this will also depends on the caliber and powder used.

Also, it should not be that difficult to just put a small piece of tape on it, and replace it as it gets affected.

Here is what we got from our 300 Winchester Magnum test.

The rifle is a Steyer SSG 08, and the ammo is S&B 180 grain soft point.


First group without, second with, as above.

1. 1.320 1.720
1.105 1.269
1.390 1.482 1.2717 1.4903

2. 1.002 1.613
1.346 0.735
1.989 1.099 1.4457 1.1490

3. 0.974 1.951
0.632 1.724
1.723 1.827 1.1067 1.834

4. 1.402 1.505
1.013 1.031
1.296 1.195 1.237 1.2437

Did the point of impact change when the MagnetoSpeed was placed on the barrel?

quote:

Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
Did the point of impact change when the MagnetoSpeed was placed on the barrel?

Hello all. First post here I think. Anyway, I've owned a magneto Speed for a while now. Yes, POI changes quite a bit but my groups stayed pretty tight shooting a 270 win and a 300 Win Mag. I've never measured them like the OP has though. Pretty interesting.

quote:

Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
Did the point of impact change when the MagnetoSpeed was placed on the barrel?

The point of impact did not change that much at all.

From what I can tell, the MagnetoSpeed would be a convenient and expedient way to test muzzle velocity while in-the-field, especially for long-range shooters.

I'm going to order one.

I've had the first model for a few years now. First one would not work and I
notified them. They emailed a return slip with an apology. I sent it off the
day after, and received a new one same day...they over-nighted it!! This one
has worked fine ever since. It is so much simpler and easier than a regular
chronograph, I'll never go back to the other. The only times I have used my
old Pro-Chrony is to check real world B.C.'s, but that has to be done on the
nicer days, just as I had to once choose those days ALL THE TIME!

For as many years as I can remember, I used an Oehler. I started with an Oehler 33 in the late 70s and, when that was stolen, moved to an Oehler 35P.

About three years ago I started using a Steinert Superchrono. The Oehler had seen better days and I needed a chronograph with which I can check BC and I have lost count of the number of times I hit the skyscreens of the Oehler at 200 and 300 metres. The Steinert has a huge window to shoot through. It is 34" wide and 51" high and I have never felt more at ease shooting for BC even at 500 metres. I considered everything available at the time and, anything that only measures speed and affects accuracy or cannot measure BC, was of no use at all. Radar based chronographs currently work reliably to 100 metres and if that can be extended to 400 or 500, maybe that will be a possibility in the future. I do not shoot anything that is subsonic so the fact that the Steinert only hears supersonic bullets does not worry me.

The danger with the Steinert is that I will probably forget it on the range, it is so unobtrusive.