Anyone try this rest for not breaking in your shoulder at the bench? If you have, is it effective at reducing recoil, is it well put together (or does it look well put together), and not a cheesy product that falls apart after 6 or 7 bench sessions with a thumper?

Hogjaws

Hogjaws is me name, eatin be my game!

I have one and it is very well constructed. It really tames my 2 and one half pound 358Alpo. It also has worked well for me using my 416 Rigby. It is put together and will hold up.

I own one and I have used it up to .458 W caliber. I place 2-25 lb shot in the craddle and fire away. I can't tell you how much recoil is reduced but it is tamed considerably. One thing you will find out in a hurry is how good your trigger is.
I believe the Sled is well constructed and worth the money.

While I haven't used mine with a 458 WM, I can vouch for its construction. It is very well made! It comes disasembled but goes together quick and is very sturdy and of heavy material. The price is way down from what it was originaly, I paid $112 from Natchez about 6 months ago. It's well worth the money.

Phil

Just noticed Midway's December flyer has them on sale for $94.99

I have a Lead Sled and have used it several times. While it greatly reduced the felt recoil, I am concerned about one thing. When using two 25# bags of shot on the sled most of the recoil energy is transfered to the stock of the rifle. I wonder how detrimental this will be to my rifles. It can't be good for them. Until I am convinced that using the sled is not detrimental to the stocks I will continue to use my Past recoil pad. Would be happy to have my fears relieved.

I have a similar fear, but I have also seen people say that CZ 550 stocks are weak in the big bores too. so I guess I am testing my rifle to see if it will hold up. Ditto for the forces put onto my scope. Of course the reason I shoot it is to make sure it is proven before I use it on dangerous game. I fthat stock or scope fails because of the sled, well then I will replace it with one that can stand up to real use.

I have used a lead sled with about 20lbs of lead shot. It is superb at taming recoil but what you guys say about the " shock" going into the stock is absolutely right. I was shooting a lighweight Sako in 308Win shooting 150gr bullets at about 2850fps.

Recoil reduction was fantastic but groups were shocking. Then I found out that the front action screw had loosened significantly. Have not figured out how to shoot good groups at the bench with that thing yet.

You lead sled users have any ideas?

Regards
JohnT

I've shot nice groups from mine using two 25lbs shot bags, shooting .30-06 NULA, and a .270win Damara (Ed Brown). Granted, not big bores, but the plan is to tame the .300 RUM, and the .375 after hunting season.
Don
PS I've been fantastically pleased with mine, wouldn't shoot without it (at the bench)

John T

I like my Caldwell Lead Sled so much that it has become my favorite bench rest bag for all my calibers.

I have used it on different rifles and have not experienced the front action screw to go loose on any of them. But again none of my rifles is a Sako or a lightweight. Have you had the same problem with other rifles on the Sled or with your lightweight on a different bag?

I will keep an eye on the front screw from now on, and I will let you know if I find something wrong.

Magnum,

We shot my Sako .308 & a REM 700 PSS in .308. Both came loose. My friend actually bought a torque wrench after that and at 65 inch pounds no more problems. But he still cannot get good groups shooting with it.

Have not shot my wood stocked Sako in it after that session.

We are trying to figure out what to do to shoot better groups with it. Encouraging that you guys have no problems.

Regards
JohnT

I bought a Lead Sled this year and since have retired my tripod and sandbags. I've shot a light 7-08 and approx. 8# 30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, and Ruger #1 45/70 and like it for all the above. I haven't added any weight to it, as none of the rifles I've used are especially wicked. It holds a rifle steady, and is easy to adjust for elevation. The benches at the range I shoot at are not the steadiest I've ever used, and the height of many of them makes it easier for me to shoot well standing and leaning over than sitting at them. I've shot several sub 1 inch groups using it that way, and feel more confident that I'm eliminating more wobbles than by sitting or using sandbags. The rest needs to be adjusted for different rifles, but that is quick and easy to do. Assembly was easy, and I'm hardly a mechanic. The unit without extra weight added weighs 10-15 pounds so that in itself probably cuts recoil somewhat; I'll have to try it with a bag or 2 of shot next summer. Has nicely cushioned rests for the rifle. Seems like a well made product to me.

I got mine on sale at Midway this summer and love it. I use 2X25lb shot bags and have fired rifles from .243 to 300 WBY mag with no problems. I have checked my rifles...2 Sakos and one Tikka 7 mag. All stayed tight no scope movement or any other problems. If you are concerned about your stock, add a 1 inch rubber bumper between the recoil pad and the sled. A one inch bumper with the recoil pad should dampen most of the wear on the stock. Regards, Rick.

John T,


I was tying to figure out why you are having problems with your Sled so I went to my garage, pulled out the Sled and looked at it for a few minutes.

There is really not much to look at since it's a simple piece of equipment. I noticed though that I had cut the bottom of the 4 front bolts as they were longer than necessary and I didn't want them to touch the bench. I should also mention that when I am shooting past 200 yards I have to raise the front bag to the point that it wobbles and makes the Sled less stable. So instead I place a 1/4" piece of plywood under the front legs.

If your Sled is not broken and it was assembled correcly, I would shoot each rifle with a load they like, from both the Sled and your other bag, on the same day and preferably under the same weather conditions.
If your Sled keeps opening your groups I would return it for a replacement.


,

.

Make sure you tighten the handle that locks the front screw before dfiring.

I was thinking about using one to get my scope sighted in on my .458 Lott. I wonder if the strange recoil forces from the lead sled will damage the scope? Anyone had any scope problems after using one of these sleds?

Any problems arise with this rest in the last yr? I just ordered one so I was wonder, specifically with the issue of the stock absorbing the recoil and damaging the stock.

- Shooting a hard recoiling big bore from a field position can be hard on the shooter and hard on the scope and stock.

- Shooting a hard recoiling big bore from a seated bench can be brutal on the shooter and harder on the scope and stock.

- Shooting a hard recoiling big bore from a seated bench off of a weighted led sled may be far milder on the shooter but it is far more brutal on the scope and stock.

After years of training and shooting match and service type rifles, and years of training and shooting M40s in the field; I find that my zeros and come-ups are often different for different shooting positions/techniques. This also applies w/ the led sled as my zeros w/ this off the bench differ from other various field positions. I reserve the sled for initial sight in and as a bench mark for accuracy checks w/ hard kickers only. Outside of this, I avoid a seated bench like the plague. If bench work is really needed on hard kickers, I prefer using a standard standing bench or good shooting sticks for sight in work.

GVA

I'm not seeing how shooting from a sled can be tougher on the scope. The stock yes, but a sled should be easier on the scope (and shooter) since there will be less rearward movement.

I bought one last year to use to work up loads for my .375 and .300 Wby before an African hunt. It does reduce recoil, but rifle and lead sled have to be repositioned after each shot, which is not easy to do. The other thing that bothered me was that I could not get my eye close enough to the scope to have eye relief equivalent to what I see when shouldering the rifle or shooting from a simple sand bag rest.

I intend to try one of Mel Forbes' gizmos when I start load development and testing next spring--it looks a little simpler to use. If it works out, you will probably see my lead sled in the "classified" thread.

You cannot do what needs to be done with the gun in any kind of sled..tough it out or go to a smaller rifle...

Shooting from a proper standing or sitting field position your body has some flex and give like a spring or hydraulics to help dampen and absorb some of the forces of recoil that are going through the rifle. This sudden acceleration of the barreled action that is transfered into the stock bedding and throughout the entire rifle meets the shooters resistance but is somewhat cushioned as the shooter gives and springs back throughout the recoil.

Increasing this resistance by weighting down the rifle in the sled does not prevent this sudden acceleration of the barreled action that is transfered into the stock bedding and throughout the entire rifle. It does not help cushion this sudden acceleration like the shooter or hydraulics can. It just suddenly stops the sudden acceleration which may be far more brutal on the scope. Given a particular recoil velocity, recoil energy and weight of rifle, someone good at math may be able to corrolate this to a velocity of a rifle striking the ground butt first or to a given distance a rifle is dropped to the ground butt first.

GVA

I used to use a similar set up but found that anything over 338 would literally tear the recoil pads over time. My solution was to remove the "pocket" at the back of my rest and lear to deal with the recoil. BTW, scope failures were common before but have had none since the switch. Food for thought...

I've used mine a lot. I have heard about hard kicking rifles cracking stocks when the shooter tries to completely eliminate recoil with four 25 lb shot bags. The result is "no give" - and so - "something gives" - the stock.

One friend, with far more experience with "big-boomers" than I do has said he's never had a problem - but he admits to tucking a piece of foam into the stock holding part. He also stressed that he never tried to eliminate recoil - only reduce it - and thus, never used more than a single bag of shot.

His advice seems pretty to good, to me anyways.

I am, so far unsuccessfuly, testing an inexpensive Weaver Scope in an attempt to destroy it. It is on my 416 Rigby. Shooting it from my lead sled was something I feared would do it in, but it is holding up just fine.

The sled is great for load development, getting new sights roughly dialed in, and smilar administrative shooting tasks.

I bought one for my Lott on the reccomendation of D'Arcy Echols. I haven't had a problem with my scope (Leupold M8 2.5x) .

It sure helps with working up loads. Before I bought it, it would take several trips to the range to work up a load as my groups would open up after about 15 rnds. Shooting the Lott is a bit of an eye opener on the bench. Good way to get flinchy.

As others have said, just don't load it down too much and you'll be okay.

I have to move it forward after a few rounds as, with the weight that I use (2-3 bags of shot), it creeps back a bit with each shot.

The latest one has windage adjustments. This addresses one of my main gripes with the model that I have.

BTW, I don't shoot off it regularly. Just when sighting in and working up loads. For practice (the majority of my shooting) I don't use the bench at all.

-Steve

Natchez has them for $99 right now

I thought about getting a sled as well but the thought of freight to get 25 lb sacks o' lead shot from the real world to me...scarier than the recoil.

BigUglyMan,
I can well imagine how bad the freight bill would be! My experience is probably less than the others, restricted to using a borrowed one a couple or three times. Come to think of it, I should take it back to it's rightful owner one of these days. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Anyway the owners method was to throw a heavy sandbag like are sold at gas-stations for traction weight on the weight tray and call it good. He also sometimes used a rachet strap and belted the whole deal to the bench. Believe it or not he went through all this for a little 7mm Rem Mag. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> He isn't the only guy I ever saw strap a Lead-sled down either.
Anyway, I didn't have bags of shot either, and didn't want to buy, them for the bit of use I had for the Caldwell. All I did was put 3 shotbags of sand that I used to use for bench bags on the tray and went with that. I would estimate that the weight of the sand would be about 20 pounds altogether, plus the weight of the rest and the rifle itself. It was more than enough to reduce the recoil of my CZ .416 Rigby to a joke, plus help make the quenzy feeling that I had about risking breaking the stock abate somewhat. The way it turned out, I got a break in the load development at that point, and didn't need to use it much. I don't mind the kick for up to 35 rounds or so from the bench without the lead-sled, but wanted to save myself some unnecessary beating and time when my first loads weren't working out so well.
The factory pad got chewed up a little, and the little round plugs that covered the screwholes in the pad fell out. I was planning to change the pad anyway, but have come to the conclusion that if I had put my Limbsaver on first I wouldn't have been tempted to use the Lead-sled in the first place. I am convinced that the chances of breaking a stock on a heavy kicker are quite high.
Model70guy

Hey Hogjaws, I have found that the biggest of the big can be tamed with an onerall weight(bags and machine) of around 50 LBS. Remember, you want a wee bit of recoil getting away. No gun was meant to take 100% of the recoil between wood and metal. Heres one I built with scraps cause a 99$ one would tip the scales at over 200 can dollars/pesos. The biggest reason I wanted one was not recoil( I loves recoil) but to get the gun up against a consistant battery. Our club benches are low, and I'm boney shouldered so with the big boys I never knew what they could do..They do great now

I am quite convinced your correct if the gun has enough recoils, and your tamming all,or very close to all of it. My lott with stout loads now recoils like a poorly built 30/06 with heavy loads, so some of the initial(hardest) recoil curve is being released. So far not a prob. But like I said your right, I think if you weight/tie in such manner as like putting the butt of a big boy against an oak tree wont be long till your holding kindling

I have acces to one and have used it several times. It's great product.

Terry

ok now i have to order one know i know for myself what better reason to spend money

Throw that thing in the closet and be a man...shoot it like it was meant to be shot...

Ya know, I just got 17 boxes of .416 bullets in the mail. It must be time to "Cowboy up"! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Yehaw.

AAAAHHH Never mind

I just got one for reasons other than recoil. Don't figure to weight it down none. Will use it obviously for load development as it provides a steadier rest than the one I had welded up and had sewn together a canvas sand bag. Shooting irons would benefit as I cannot see like you can thru a scope @ 100yds. Cracking and splitting stocks sounds pretty spendy-don't need all that weight fellas to tame recoil.

I got it for recoil(Exactly)

A day at the range sighting in a 450,338,375 RUM,300 WM,7mm RM etc...is a whole lot nicer with the sled. That night I can actually sleep instead of rubbing my shoulder. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />

Great for allowing one to continue shooting after suffering a dislocated shoulder. Couldn't give up shooting until the shoulder was fully recovered. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

NEVER, ever, strap them down to the bench! Strapped down they transmit 100% of the recoil to the rifle/scope and that can't be a good thing.

Someone explain to me just how you are supposed to assume a firing position with the rifle tied into that darned contraption? How can you get your proper hold and cheek position in the rifle and to it repeatedly? And if you need to sight in 5 or more potent rifles, better to do it over a few days than all in one day or tie them to that sled thing....Just my opinion...

tightloop, a buddy of mine has one and I found it very uncomfortable to get set up on. I strongly prefer a standard front rest and a bunny ear rear bag to sight a rifle in from the bench. My Past Magnum recoil shield and a Carhartt jacket take the bite out of my guns just fine.

Lead Sleds pound the snott out of stocks.
A rifle sighted in on a Lead Sled isn't a rifle sighted in in your hands.

But, lead sleds allow you to do load development and to get a scope on the paper without developing a flinch from the poor positions you have to assume at a bench.

Each tool in its proper place in the overall scheme of your shooting experience.

As for breaking stocks - fix the stock - be glad you found out it was weak before it happened in the field. That said my 416 CZ has not given me any problems in over 200 rounds now, including at least 75 from the lead sled. No signs of cracks either.

I very much like the CZ 550s in big bores, but they are notorious for cracking stocks just below the bolt handle on the right side. I happened to me with my 2000 vintage hog-back and did the same on a buddy's later production rifle. The warranty repair station in Kansas told me that an owner should have the action glassed before shooting the out of box guns. I must admit that I lost some respect for CZ with that attitud; why the [email]h@ll[/email] don't they do that at the factory??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Even at that, I defend and recommend CZs. Every one I've owned or shot was exceedingly accurate.

Factory CZ + Lead Sled = POISON (IMO)

When my nose starts to bleed while working up loads or sighting in, I re-think my stance on Lead Sleds a bit... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> It IS nice to keep one's teeth where they belong. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I bought a lead sled last year and one for a friend of mine recently. To me, it is up there in the area of sliced bread. A+ all the way. Takes recoil off my 300wm by about 90%. It will always go to the range w/ me. No doubt about it. If someone has a shoulder problem, they can now go back to the range w/o risking further injury.

Thanks,
RAS

That's what I found sighting in slug guns with the a Lead Sled. Same Weapon with same ammo showed much smaller group size as well as different Point of Impact. Okay to rough in a scope, but thats all I will use it for now. Great Idea, but still has bugs to be worked out. IMHO

I get close with a lead sled with 50 pounds of shot. I then remove the shot for final zero. Recoil is still tolerable, since the sled alone weighs 17 pounds.

Can you expound more about this gizmo please?

I do pretty much so the same thing. What I've noticed after several bench sessions with the .375 H&H (biggest I own) is that the smaller mags don't bother me at all anymore. Guess it all depends on what you get used to.

I just bought a lead sled, I shot off of it today.I am disappointed in the wabble in the rear leg/adjustment. Once adjusted up, it becomes unstable and movement ever so slight can mean up to 3" at 100 yrds. Anyone else have this problem?

That is what I use it for and it works well. Also to test accuracy potential of rifle and load.

I have shot over 100 rounds across the sled with my 375 RUM, and a wood stock and a Bushnell scope and all still work fine. The RUM will do consistant 3/4" one hundred yard groups in the sled with the right load. I only use 50 lbs of weight and recoil is reduced to insignificant levels. I have the deluxe model lead sled with the micro adjustable front end and double beams.

The RUM recoil does not bother me shooting freehand but I would not think of shooting it off of the bench without the sled. I do not use muzzlebreaks due the noise, length and weight in the field.

After the testing is done, the real shooting is free hand, sitting etc, as you would do in the field.

I highly reccomend this product for what I use it for.

I am the friend RAS spoke of. He and I went to the range a few weeks ago and I could not believe how much difference it made with my .375 H&H Magnum and I only had one bag of shot weighting it down. It was not uncomfortable at all to shoulder. Thanks...Bill.

I looked at the Lead Sled but went with the Shooters Ridge instead because I liked the adjustments better. Now they have a Zero Recoil model that looks even better.

I've got one,use it for sighting in muzzle loaders.It saves you from recoil............

I've had a Lead Sled for 4 years now,as far as I'm concerned it's 1 of the best products ever made.I would highly recommend it also.

I had planned to drag out the lead sled to use on my 416Rem to test a few handloads, but changed my mind. I'm glad I did. I may pull it back out if I work up loads for a Lott again, but I doubt it. I think I am far better off never using that thing again. I no longer see any value in it and find it harmful on technique and brutal on equipment. It's too easy to use it as a crutch.

For an adult, ones size or muscle strength has little to do with managing recoil. Technique and trigger time plays the bigger role. I intend to use my 416 for many things to include elk which may require me to shoot off my pack in a position much like shooting from a bench. So I decided to just use good solid technique and work up my loads shooting free recoil off a sandbag. Keep in mind that I was only shooting full house loads from a 416 and not some kind of T-Rex. In the end, I got in some quality trigger time that helped me tighten up my position and I worked up some good loads shooting the X out of a target w/ some MOA groups. I feel this will do more for my field marksmanship in the long run than using the led sled as a crutch.

GVA

Gary: I'm interested in your comments regarding the sled. I'm pretty recoil tolerant and have no problems shooting full power 416 Rigby loads from the bench with my RSM. However, I think I can probably go a bit higher, but not much. Accordingly and on the recommendation of a friend of mine who is a big bore enthusiast, I bought the sled for my yet to be delivered Dakota 450. I won't have the rifle for a while, but I guess I can try it out with the 416. Can you expand further on your complaints? Thanks, jorge

In bought one for load development for the rifles I load for forr other people.
I can't shoot annything over 308win with smokeless unless it is in a heavy target rifle.
I found that the front legs are too short for our longer ranges - not a big deal, a 2X4 under them worked but I am building some longer ones.
I also found the unless the rifles were held in a death grip, the groups were shotgun patterns due to inconsistancey of the bags in relationship to the shooter.
One has to be very careful or you will not get decent groups with it.

Other than that, it's a great tool for heavy recoiling rifles.
Cat

ok so what do you guys think about this:

The Hyskore Precision Gas Dampened Recoil Reducing Rifle Shooting Rest

A short description can be found here:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=838848

It would appear the gas shock takes up the recoil instead of letting all the energy transfer directly into the stock as in
the case of the Lead Sled.

I value all thoughts on this.

TIA,
Jett
ps found a cool video on this contraption:
http://www.hyskore.com/movies/30003demo.html

disregard that last post, turns out its not so good after I read what other reviewers had to say about it.

Cat there's a fella here in town that makes an exceptional shootiing rest. I had the table next to him at our gunshow here in Montrose. Check it out. The fit and finsh are fantastic for the price.

http://carrollstargets.com/rest.htm