Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Sand bags or Lead Sled

What do you use at the range for sighting in and load development?

NO lead sleds please... Today with a lightweight 308win:



You don't need a lead sled to work up loads, or shoot nice groups. They are also hard on stocks.. Bi-pods also work well. Another Tikka, but a 7mm08. Shooting last week:



And with a buddy shooting his dad's old Tikka T3 stainless varmint 308W a couple weekends ago. That rifle is a sweet sob:

5 shot ragged hole^^ Front rest with rear bag..

Did you notice I painted mine. ha ha...



Breaking in the new Protektor though.

I had a lead sled for a while

I felt like having the buttpad up against a rigid surface at the rear of the leadsled caused the rifle to recoil unnaturally and the fore-end bounces upward more than real life.

so I sold the lead sled and use various bag things now.

I found a caldwell bag that is formed from 4 parallel cylinders end-on is shaped like 88 with the bottom oo sitting on the bench and the forend slides between the top oo. tackdriver they call it
https://www.caldwellshooting.com/rests/shooting-rests/bag-rests/tack-driver-bag/191743.html#start=1

Poole

Short bipod and a rear bag.

Never used a sled. If it kicks too much I'll use a standing bag rest.

Front rest and sand bag for rear, no lead sled

I am looking at switching to a front rest and rear bag. Any opinions on the Caldwell Rock? Or any other suggestions?

Use a bag for a rest for the front and put the butt of the rifle against your shoulder.

As a rule of thumb, if you need a lead sled to shoot your rifle, you need to get another rifle
in a smaller caliber.

Ok, I’m going to be the exception here. I like my lead sled - especially on days where I spend hours at the range working up or tweaking loads for 3-4 guns. All my rifles are lightweight hunting guns with wood stocks - and I’ve never had an issue. Just don’t load the lead sled to heavy, and let it slide a little bit during each shot. Basically just use the sled to turn a 6-1/2 lb 30-06 shooting 180 gr at 2900 fps+ into the recoil of a .223.

It just makes less shoulder ache, and I tend to shoot consistently as the day goes on.

However, for a quick session, or final load development I shoot of a Cardwell front and rear rest.

I have one of those as well as a few others. It is a good solid rest and if I were in the market, would have no reason not to buy one

Pretty much my setup also. I have an old Hart front rest and use various rear bags. I generally keep one of those green Leupold scope cloths in my range bag these days and I'll fold it up to lay in the channel of the front bag, as it can be rather firm by itself. Allows for a better fit with thinner sporter stocks also. Helps to also keep a couple pieces of short lumber around for rear bag spacers when you are shooting different rifles and want a quick elevation change for a buttstock with a shallower profile. If I'm shooting a rack full of rifles I hate to have to adjust that front rest all the time.

Best bang for your buck is the Rock BR right now. Next would be a Bald Eagle. I use both. In fact got rid that big ugly windage knob on the BE with a slick bolt knob. 20 dollar upgrade 😀

My rests BE, Rock BR, Rock BR 1000.



Upgraded BE



You can see the big ugly knob in first pic. I use a Protektor bunny ear rear bag. Also been known to use a Mann style v-block I built.

Very good information, thanks. What would be a good rear rest to use with the Rock BR?

I'd use a Protekor rear bag.

https://protektormodel.com/collections/rear-bags

Yep Protektor rear. I use the 14B as rabbit ears seem to interfere with cheek weld. Also get the hard bottom bag as it keeps the bag laying flat on the bench over time, the other tend to deform then become unstable on the base.

I really like my Protektor bags as well I have 3 different ones as well as an Edgewood. If I had to pick only one, it would be the Protektor

I just take the beating rather than use a sled. Better to know what you're in for right off the bat than find out i the field. I have a Caldwell front, and a rolled up towel for my rear for my bench work.

Mostly moved away from cartridges that kick the snot out of me.

Sand bags