LT 30 Lot comparison
- Thread starter mturner
- Start date
Tested very close!
I just used the Labradar, and here are the results:
30-30 HV 23" barrel with 115gr. bullet. LT30 at 40gr of each lot weighed charges.
12.18.14 - 3242 fps
03.26.15 - 3254 fps
This is not a max load in the 30-30 bench gun, but for those who don't know me, these are bolt action only, and work up carefully loads, do not use loads anywhere near this hot in a lever gun.
Michael
I just used the Labradar, and here are the results:
30-30 HV 23" barrel with 115gr. bullet. LT30 at 40gr of each lot weighed charges.
12.18.14 - 3242 fps
03.26.15 - 3254 fps
This is not a max load in the 30-30 bench gun, but for those who don't know me, these are bolt action only, and work up carefully loads, do not use loads anywhere near this hot in a lever gun.
Michael
Mike Bryant
Active member
Michael, is there any thing that you need to know to get a Labradar to read on the bullet? I've had trouble getting it to read on my 6mm bullets.
adamsgt
Jerry Adams
I've been using the bench plate for mounting my Labradar. I was getting a lot of acquisition errors reported on 6mm and 30 cal. Called Labradar from the range and went through a number of possibilities that didn't help. After hanging up I got a bright idea and placed a 25 lb bag of shot on the plate. Bingo, five straight shots with velocities. Next time I used a couple of lead ingots and still had good results. I had replaced the cheap mounting head with a more expensive one from B&H photo that had much better adjustments to line the radar up with the target. May go the tripod route and see how that works. Haven't been able to capture velocities past 40 yds. Jim Ristow who created Shooting Laboratory, has added capabilities to import Labradar data that could calculate ballistic coefficients for your bullets, but you need good 100 yard data from Labradar.
Labradar
Mike, it looks like Jerry may have figured out the problem you were having. I have never had any problems, but from the beginning I made a 3/4" x 2" aluminum I-Beam that mounts my Labradar to my front rest with great rigidity. I have no problem tracking my 30 caliber bullets to 100 yards, but have set my last distance to 95 yards since the target is at 100 yards. I personally held the Labradar firmly with both hands with my forearms resting on the shooting bench this past weekend whenever a PPC shooter wanted velocities. I had no errors, and got velocity readings out to 60 yards. Even at 60 yards, I was able to determine BC's with decent accuracy. I found that even a slight change in BC. from .300 to .305 is about 3 fps difference in velocity gain at 60 yards. Even though the extreme spread my vary let's say 15 fps, the velocity loss at 60 yards was always within 1 or 2 fps. I may be able to track a 6mm a little further than 60 yards with better aiming, but 60 yards isn't bad for holding it with two hands. So far I have learned that my 9 ogive flat base bullet retains velocity a little better than my 7 ogive boat tail bullet. That was based on a 30 caliber in the 118gr range at around 3180 fps.
Michael
Mike, it looks like Jerry may have figured out the problem you were having. I have never had any problems, but from the beginning I made a 3/4" x 2" aluminum I-Beam that mounts my Labradar to my front rest with great rigidity. I have no problem tracking my 30 caliber bullets to 100 yards, but have set my last distance to 95 yards since the target is at 100 yards. I personally held the Labradar firmly with both hands with my forearms resting on the shooting bench this past weekend whenever a PPC shooter wanted velocities. I had no errors, and got velocity readings out to 60 yards. Even at 60 yards, I was able to determine BC's with decent accuracy. I found that even a slight change in BC. from .300 to .305 is about 3 fps difference in velocity gain at 60 yards. Even though the extreme spread my vary let's say 15 fps, the velocity loss at 60 yards was always within 1 or 2 fps. I may be able to track a 6mm a little further than 60 yards with better aiming, but 60 yards isn't bad for holding it with two hands. So far I have learned that my 9 ogive flat base bullet retains velocity a little better than my 7 ogive boat tail bullet. That was based on a 30 caliber in the 118gr range at around 3180 fps.
Michael
adamsgt
Jerry Adams
Mike, what kind of rest are you using? After using the Labradar for a few sessions I also decided that a ridged mount was necessary. Haven't come up with a design yet but your method is very interesting. I also consider some kind of fine adjustment mechanism to aim the radar would help as well. Jim Ristow did a pretty thorough evaluation of the Labradar and tested it against other chronographs. You can find the review on his web site https://www.shootingsoftware.com/doppler.htm
Rest and Mount
Jerry,
My rest isn't anything real special. Back in the 90's, I didn't really have any money, so I called up Hart and asked if they would sell me a un-machined base casting. They said yes, and only charged me $25 for the casting and shipping combined. I guess those were the good days. I just built the rest of it. The windage top is somewhat cool because of the cam system I designed that allows me to easily reach the adjustment knob. The Labradar mount is 3/4" x 2" billet aluminum. Currently there is only windage adjustment. I have had zero issues without the elevation adjustment, but may add that at some point. I can raise or lower the front of the rest for a little elevation adjustment, but that's very limited. The round steel plate that I later attached to the bottom of the rest brought the total weight to about 36 pounds. See attached pictures.
Michael
Jerry,
My rest isn't anything real special. Back in the 90's, I didn't really have any money, so I called up Hart and asked if they would sell me a un-machined base casting. They said yes, and only charged me $25 for the casting and shipping combined. I guess those were the good days. I just built the rest of it. The windage top is somewhat cool because of the cam system I designed that allows me to easily reach the adjustment knob. The Labradar mount is 3/4" x 2" billet aluminum. Currently there is only windage adjustment. I have had zero issues without the elevation adjustment, but may add that at some point. I can raise or lower the front of the rest for a little elevation adjustment, but that's very limited. The round steel plate that I later attached to the bottom of the rest brought the total weight to about 36 pounds. See attached pictures.
Michael
Mike, I mounted mine to a piece of alum. 1 inch thick by 1 foot square. I just set it next to my Farley on the bench, and have never had any problem getting it to read 6mm bullets. I get an occasional reading at 80 yards, but that seems to be beyond the max. range. I have the trigger set on 1 and the distance set on 18 inches, the highest. I've never tried any other settings yet. Just got it.
Jim
Jim
Labradar Mount
Jim,
It appears that this thread has become far more useful for those using the Labradar than for LT30 lot comparison. Your 1" thick aluminum plate at around 14.4 pounds sounds good. Your 6mm distances are spot on with mine. The 6mm seems to give speeds to 60 yards max, since the 80 yard readings are just occasional. The optional factory mounting plate has the same footprint of 12" square just like yours, but appears to be way to thin and light. Jerry had to weight his down for consistent readings. This would also tell me that a 30 mph or higher gust of wind could send the Labradar off the shooting bench, and there goes your $600 investment. Mount them solid for good performance and protection, or suffer the consequences.
Michael
Jim,
It appears that this thread has become far more useful for those using the Labradar than for LT30 lot comparison. Your 1" thick aluminum plate at around 14.4 pounds sounds good. Your 6mm distances are spot on with mine. The 6mm seems to give speeds to 60 yards max, since the 80 yard readings are just occasional. The optional factory mounting plate has the same footprint of 12" square just like yours, but appears to be way to thin and light. Jerry had to weight his down for consistent readings. This would also tell me that a 30 mph or higher gust of wind could send the Labradar off the shooting bench, and there goes your $600 investment. Mount them solid for good performance and protection, or suffer the consequences.
Michael
adamsgt
Jerry Adams
To continue the thread hi-jack, I think the problem with the bench plate is that, not only is it thin and light, but it sets on four small rubber feet that provide a very small foot print to contact the bench. My Miller Diversion 180 Tig welder has been gathering dust, so a frame for the Labradar sounds like a good winter project. That's if my cardiologist gives me the OK due to my recently implanted pacemaker.
C
CMaier
Guest
has anyone shoot 22 cal in any cartridge with the lab ?
suppose to be fixed but it had early problems with small bullets.
how about max velocity ?
suppose to be fixed but it had early problems with small bullets.
how about max velocity ?
Charging Port
Any of the battery packs like Bart is using will power the Labradar through the micro-usb port, and last for a long time between charges. If you look at my battery cover in the attached photo, you will see that I added a charge port that actually charges AA nickel–metal hydride batteries in the unit. The batteries last all match long, just as long as I turn the unit off between matches. Here's where it get's really cool. My brother Warren can do anything with his own software, firmware, and electronics engineering. I went to the shop one day and told him I needed a smart charger for my Labradar. He designed and built me a smart charger in 2 or 3 hours. After the circuit was completed, he popped a microchip into the programmer, and programmed it from his laptop with custom firmware that he had written. He asked me for a few voltage parameters, and in seconds, my new smart charger had custom firmware. I just plug it into any USB charger in the vehicle or back at the room, and I'm good to go again the next day.
Michael
This has worked perfectly so far!
Bart
Any of the battery packs like Bart is using will power the Labradar through the micro-usb port, and last for a long time between charges. If you look at my battery cover in the attached photo, you will see that I added a charge port that actually charges AA nickel–metal hydride batteries in the unit. The batteries last all match long, just as long as I turn the unit off between matches. Here's where it get's really cool. My brother Warren can do anything with his own software, firmware, and electronics engineering. I went to the shop one day and told him I needed a smart charger for my Labradar. He designed and built me a smart charger in 2 or 3 hours. After the circuit was completed, he popped a microchip into the programmer, and programmed it from his laptop with custom firmware that he had written. He asked me for a few voltage parameters, and in seconds, my new smart charger had custom firmware. I just plug it into any USB charger in the vehicle or back at the room, and I'm good to go again the next day.
Michael
mturner
Did you get a chance to compare LT-30 lot#'s velocity?
I'm still shooting Lot 12.18.14 It works well for me. I have not tried any other lot#'s. I bought a labradar just so I would have a benchmark velocity with Lot 12.18.14 in my 30BR & 30XS.
I started a new thread for some more labradar info. good labradar stuff here just hidden under LT-30 title.
Russ
Did you get a chance to compare LT-30 lot#'s velocity?
I'm still shooting Lot 12.18.14 It works well for me. I have not tried any other lot#'s. I bought a labradar just so I would have a benchmark velocity with Lot 12.18.14 in my 30BR & 30XS.
I started a new thread for some more labradar info. good labradar stuff here just hidden under LT-30 title.
Russ
Russ
Right after I asked others, and saw no answers, I tested it. It is almost the same. You can see my results at the top of the post. It is the second one. I tested the lot # 12.18.14, just like yours, against lot # 03.26.15, and the newer lot gave 12 more fps with the load shown above in the 30-30 with a 115gr bullet. Old lot 3242 fps, and new lot 3254 fps at 40 grains of each.
Michael
Right after I asked others, and saw no answers, I tested it. It is almost the same. You can see my results at the top of the post. It is the second one. I tested the lot # 12.18.14, just like yours, against lot # 03.26.15, and the newer lot gave 12 more fps with the load shown above in the 30-30 with a 115gr bullet. Old lot 3242 fps, and new lot 3254 fps at 40 grains of each.
Michael
Michael
your post: "I just used the Labradar, and here are the results:"
I missed read that part sometimes things just don't register in the head.... or I was amazed you used it in a 30-30 Benchrest gun. I've read your other post on the story behind your 30-30. "awesome!"
That's good to hear LT-30 advertises that it's supposed to be most consistent from lot to lot.
Thanks
Russ
your post: "I just used the Labradar, and here are the results:"
I missed read that part sometimes things just don't register in the head.... or I was amazed you used it in a 30-30 Benchrest gun. I've read your other post on the story behind your 30-30. "awesome!"
That's good to hear LT-30 advertises that it's supposed to be most consistent from lot to lot.
Thanks
Russ
Russ,
My concern is with lots of LT32 right now. If the LT30 remains consistent, that's great, but from what I have been told, the newer LT32 is considerably slower than the lot I currently have, which was the 3rd lot produced. That lot of LT32 produced the following velocities from a 118gr bullet.
38gr. - 2996 fps.
39gr. - 3105 fps.
40gr. - 3193 fps.
41gr. - 3291 fps.
Only 50-60 fps slower than my recent test of LT30.
I edited this post because I failed to mention that the above chronograph data for the LT32 was not done with my Labradar. This testing was done with my Chrony during test and tune day in Raton. The LT30 data at the beginning of the post, that was done with the Labradar, has not been compared to the Chrony to see if there is much difference between the two. I did compare my Chrony to Durward Wofford's while I was at Raton, by putting them one in front of the other. The Chrony in the back was reading on average about 5 fps slower than the one in front. This did at least prove that our Chronys were both calibrated very close. At some point, I will test LT30 and LT32 back to back using the Labradar. Please keep in mind that the LT32 is lot # 3, which is supposedly a hotter lot than currently sold.
Michael
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