I am looking for a better rest than the Caldwell green sand bag I have been using for years, I looked at the Caldwell "the rock" but did not like the fact that the base was cast aluminum. The lead sled for a few dollars more looked more sturdy. I do not need a lead sled for recoil purposes but I am considering buying one just as a more solid rifle rest and use it without the added weight bags. Should I ever need to use it for a heavier rifle, then I have it. Will a rifle's point of impact be different from a lead sled than off of a sand bag? I have heard some that say it will and others that say it will not???
I bought one to develop loads for a couple of big bore rifles that I was going to take to Africa last year. I found it difficult to shoot consistent groups with it. You have to deal with a longer length of pull, and the mechanics of the design make it difficult to get your cheek down on the comb of the stock and get a good, repeatable view through a scope. It does absorb recoil, especially with two or three 25 lb. bags of shot, but you still have to reposition it after each shot-- and it's not easy to make small corrections with 80-100 lbs. of total weight to scoot around on the bench. I ended up doing my final load evaluations and sighting in with a standard fore end rest and rear sand bag, adding a folded up towel between the butt stock and my PAST pad.
I haven't sold mine yet, but am thinking about it. If I can find the time to construct a bench that I can shoot from standing up, you will probably see it on the free classifieds before too long.
Love mine and have not had trouble shooting good groups with it.
I tried one and while it did take the thump out of my 338WM I just didn't like the feel of using it,,,, good for initial sighting in but I figured it could create bad habits IE depending on the rest
I just sold mine 10 minutes ago for $80.00 cash, I paid 119.00 shipping included. I found the LOP to be a issue and the groups were kinda big, once I moved to a sand bag I got better groups. I still feel like I get better groups with a Gun VISE, but I am thinking of buying some quality sand bags, the ones I have are small and homemade.
I"ve zero'd rifles from sandbags and then shot them standing to confirm and find different zero's. Add 75 pounds of weight to the gun and then take it away, you might get lucky, might not. Personally I won't trust it. FOr me its bags, a past shield and one thin extra sandbag for heavy recoil, IE 338 Ultra and above. If thats not enough its too big for me then.
Jeff
I have access to one and use it for the heavy stuff. Since the rifle isn't locked into it I can see no difference in using this device as opposed to shooting off bags or a prone rest. That said, I find it a real pain the butt to set up and re-adjust between shots. If I can take the recoil while shooting from a bench I don't use it.
Terry
I am going to try it and if it does not work as a better rest than my sandbags I will sell it.
Mine works fine for my .338wm and 45-70 rifles.
I use one often and find it works well on everything from my 257 Roberts to a 300 RUM. I have not seen a difference when I change to shooting off the bags to check final shot placement.