Just wondering about people thoughts on lead sleds. Getting on there in years and the 300 seems to kick more than it used to. Got a new scope to zero in and a bunch of loads to try but get flinchy after 3-4 shots. Would like to know if they are worth the cost
Lead sleds- any good?
- Thread starter jewbuchuk
- Start date
- Status
Palehorseman
Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2009
- Messages
- 736
I use it with Caldwell Stable Table primarily to sight in and just to see how accurate a rifle is with different loads. Like many, at 75 my eyes and tremors make it necessary to stabilize things. And, I certainly think the lead sled performs great for my needs.
silicosys4
Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2012
- Messages
- 3,682
I have one as well. It works well for what I use it for. I use it for load development for the 300 winmag, and loaded up with lead it tames recoil to a nonissue.
Inebriated
Member
I've used one and never got around to buying one, but it's great for checking load accuracy.
For zeroing, I tend to prefer to be prone with sandbags.
For zeroing, I tend to prefer to be prone with sandbags.
I could see one being useful for a lot of load development. I wouldn't use one to zero a rifle unless you plan to use it hunting too. The zero likely won't be the same. They can also be hard on gun stocks. Heavy recoiling rifles need some give when being fired. If it is not there it puts a lot more strain on the stock. It is not unheard of for the stock to break in one.
If you can't stand to shoot a box of ammo you need a gun that recoils less.
If you can't stand to shoot a box of ammo you need a gun that recoils less.
redneck2
Member
We have two. As noted, your zero with the sled may be significantly different from shooting off your shoulder. Recoil impulse during firing. For example, if you rest your fore end directly on a hard surface and shoot, your round will typically go high
We've also found that we are more accurate shooting off an adjustable Caldwell type front rest and target grade rear bags than a fixed rest. Few years ago I bought one that even has a remote trigger. We very rarely if ever use it.
If I were to use it, would most likely use it if I had to check grouping of something like 12 gauge slugs simply because it would be a reference, and I've come to strongly dislike getting pummeled by fire arms (or anything else)
In my world, it's another toy that I played with for a while, figured out it wasn't what worked for me, and moved on.
We've also found that we are more accurate shooting off an adjustable Caldwell type front rest and target grade rear bags than a fixed rest. Few years ago I bought one that even has a remote trigger. We very rarely if ever use it.
If I were to use it, would most likely use it if I had to check grouping of something like 12 gauge slugs simply because it would be a reference, and I've come to strongly dislike getting pummeled by fire arms (or anything else)
In my world, it's another toy that I played with for a while, figured out it wasn't what worked for me, and moved on.
Last edited:
LeonCarr
Member
I watched a wood stock on a Remington 700BDL .300 Win Mag crack at the receiver tang when used with the Lead Sled.
IME it is too much of a good thing. The lack of rearward travel when the rifle/slug gun is cradled in the lead sled does bad things to wood stocks and even some laminated or synthetic stocks. I generally will sight in a "heavy kicker" either standing up resting on a post or from the bench on bags using a PAST Recoil Shield or a bag of lead shot laying on my shoulder.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
IME it is too much of a good thing. The lack of rearward travel when the rifle/slug gun is cradled in the lead sled does bad things to wood stocks and even some laminated or synthetic stocks. I generally will sight in a "heavy kicker" either standing up resting on a post or from the bench on bags using a PAST Recoil Shield or a bag of lead shot laying on my shoulder.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Last edited:
buck460XVR
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2007
- Messages
- 10,085
I have helped with rifle sight in clinics for years at the local Sportsman's Club range. For some folks, getting their rifle/scope zeroed and determining if a particular ammo is right for the firearm is only doable with a lead sled or similar product. We do tho, also promote shooting the firearm as it will be fired in the field after finding zero with the appliance, because there can be enough of a difference to matter, even at reasonably close ranges. I have yet to see any rifle damaged when the appropriate appliance is used properly.
splattergun
Member
After the Doc put me on blood thinners and anticoagulants 14 months ago, I found my 30-06 would leave me with painful bruises after only three shots. I opted to try a Caldwell shoulder pad. It worked fine for several more shots, but still wasn't quite what I wanted. It wouldn't stay in place and after about a dozen shots or so, I still got a bruise right in the shoulder pocket. Not good when I want to test several new loads.
Next, I put on a Limbsaver slip-on butt pad. What a difference! . By itself, it is plenty for most casual shooting, hunting, and zeroing the rifle. Used together with the shoulder pad, I can shoot all day in comfort. I use this combo when I am working up a bunch of new loads.
When bench shooting for zero or load testing, I use sandbags after my friend's walnut stocked model 700 cracked at the tang on a LeadSled
Next, I put on a Limbsaver slip-on butt pad. What a difference! . By itself, it is plenty for most casual shooting, hunting, and zeroing the rifle. Used together with the shoulder pad, I can shoot all day in comfort. I use this combo when I am working up a bunch of new loads.
When bench shooting for zero or load testing, I use sandbags after my friend's walnut stocked model 700 cracked at the tang on a LeadSled
Thermactor
member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2008
- Messages
- 992
splattergun,
have you considered this?
http://www.gungoddess.com/shock-eater-recoil-pad/
Graet discussion btw on the lead sleds, it's good to know that the zeros are different between the sled and being held!
have you considered this?
http://www.gungoddess.com/shock-eater-recoil-pad/
Graet discussion btw on the lead sleds, it's good to know that the zeros are different between the sled and being held!
oneounceload
member
Or a younger person to do the accuracy testing for you
splattergun
Member
First I've heard of it Thermactor. Thanks for the suggestion, I will look into it.
Well Now
Member
I use the Solo version, it allows the use of 30 round mags on an AR.
68lemans462
Member
Another option... My uncle has a benchmaster rest called "the cadillac".. This rest is only $80 and is very sturdy. We have put thousands of rounds through rifles of all sizes on this rest. I'd highly recommend it. The only problem with it is that there is limited clearance for magazines on AR's.. Other than that, it is great.
http://www.benchmasterusa.com/store/p/47-BenchMaster-The-Cadillac.aspx
http://www.benchmasterusa.com/store/p/47-BenchMaster-The-Cadillac.aspx
lead sled solo, awful fun to use. wonderful for zeroing. and i havent noticed any difference from using itand from shooting without it after getting zero in.
i dont use it with extra weight. have noticed that different cartridges react differently in it. they all spin the sled right during recoil, but just different amounts. oddly 223 spins it more then a 30-30
i dont use it with extra weight. have noticed that different cartridges react differently in it. they all spin the sled right during recoil, but just different amounts. oddly 223 spins it more then a 30-30
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I've been using the original Lead Sled for about 10yrs and it is fantastic! I wouldn't be without one for load development. It is far easier to get consistent results than any other setup.
I have never had to alter zero attained in the sled.
BS. Shooting off your hind legs and shooting off the bench are two distinctly different things. I can shoot my steel butt plate 1895 .405 all day off hand. On the bench, without the sled, only a few shots at best. There is a reason why the test shooters at gunmakers like Holland & Holland do not test the big bores in any position but offhand.
WardenWolf
member
I got a Lead Sled DFT to help sight in some of my rifles. I simply need something to hold it steady while I adjust the scope. Haven't used it yet, but seems very solid.
- Status
