Originally Posted by
Aniest
Finally getting my promised review out of the Sporter version with added blast shield (bolded to ensure what model is being reviewed): I wanted to use it twice to be sure, not 'jump the chrony" so to speak!
The first attempt at using it was with a rifle with a .30 caliber Heathen brake (Western: remove if wrong to mentioned brand, wanted to note those are useable with the Sporter) with no issues: there was still an inch from the device end to the blast shield.
I went to the range with the rifle and made sure to have another range member there with a Labradar. The Magnetospeed was quick, simple and easy to attach during a standard range time: no special set up, no needing to be in front of the firing line, no stands, etc. The Magnetospeed matched the Labradar on every shot from my rifle with lead free Barnes TSX bullets (all 10 shots recorded exactly the same on both, all 10 averaged 3110fps). I did not shoot it using another rifle but during some cool downs I loaned the Sporter out twice. The first was a fellow shooter was shooting a subsonic 300BLK: we did find that his ammo averaging just over 1000fps did cause four read errors out of 10 shots and the remaining six were about +/- 50fps different than the Labradar. The manufacturer warns that steel free bullets under 2000pfs would be an issue. I attempted to get someone shooting a much faster caliber, but the highest I could loan it to was shooting around 3800fps: there were no issues with the Magnetospeed Sporter matching the Labradar.
First Use: 8.0/10
Good: Easy, fast, simple. The price, if you know its limitations, is awesome!
Mediocre: Instinctively I want a guide rod bore size to check alignment because it feels too close to the trajectory, rubber pad falls off changing barrels easy.
Bad: If you are shooting low speeds or a handgun (can't attach to barrel) it won't work.
The second attempt was a fun day out at the farm with family and a family friend. I tried quite a few rifles including: the heavy barrel with brake (see above) again, a standard barrel older Ruger rifle, a pencil lightweight barrel and other rifles. We took three shots with each rifle to test the Sporter on: the intent was to move the Magnetospeed as much as possible to find an issue, not to shoot a lot with each rifle.
There was only two issues I found:
I felt the taper on the old Ruger rifle was a bit 'scary" looking and attempted to shim the rubber pad of the Sporter slightly to prevent shooting the tip of the Sporter. No go with a rubber shim. I got an ERROR 2 every time likely because the Magnetospeed was moving too much with the small rubber shim I attempted. Removing the shim and being very tight with the attachment caused the issue to go away. All readings that day were as expected from previous records of the reloads shot. Overall, a good day shooting on a long weekend trying it out!
As well, the lightweight rifle with very fast, light bullets was recoiling enough that the Sporter had to be pulled back as it was creeping forward 3/16 of an inch on every shot. I blame very 'snappy" recoil and a very tiny muzzle.
Second Use: 8.5/10
Good: Easy, fast, simple. Other people seeing it were impressed. The biggest thing said was, loosely quoting the family friend, "That'd be so easy to use at the range: shooters get pissed when you hog the range time setting up a Chrony stand." The price was impressive to others for its use even if limited to rifles.
Mediocre: Instinctively I still want a guide rod bore size to check alignment because it feels too close to the trajectory.
Changing barrels a lot the rubber pad falls off the Sporter easily (have to keep an eye on it).
It is not an attach and forget device, it needs checked for alignment in case of small barrel, heavy barrel taper and/or heavy recoil.
OVERALL: I bought the Magnetospeed Sporter for use on standard & heavy barrel firearms shooting 2000-400fps at the range and this is certainly where it shines. A solid 8.5/10 or better.
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