I have read on some threads that a rifle reacts differently in a lead sled than on a “free” sandbag rest. What kind of differences, at say, 500-600 yards have you seen shooting from a lead sled vs a free rest set up? I tend to use a lead sled with no weights when sighting in or practicing at long range to avoid the recoil. I know a lot of you are much more experience than I and would love to get experienced feedback about this.

Something of a coincidence, but I "tested" a .308 Winchester on an unweighted lead-sled last month, versus a padded forend rest. This was about an 8-pound rifle, and it shot about 1-1/2" lower off the sled than the forend rest at 100 yards. Did not bother shooting it at longer range.

You likely will have a different poi shooting from a prone position, vs shooting off a bench. If you are lr hunting you may want to consider this. Once I have load development down, I don't shoot off a bench, only prone. That way you and your gun are shooting from the position you will be using while hunting. Just my 2 cents.

I use my sled to get close, fine tune with sand bags.

My dad had a lead sled. I didn't see it in his things after he passed, and I never saw him use it. I've never used one. But I have seen POI shifts with shooting position changes. At 300 yds and beyond. I shoot off sticks or a backpack for longer shots in the field, so I do the same when I prep a gun for hunting. I've been hunting areas where shots are generally closer than I used to, so I doubt it matters that much.

I know the OP didn't ask about scope damage and lead sheds, but it's been my experience they can be really hard on scopes with hard recoiling rifles.

Guy on the bench next to me had the wrist snap on a Weatherby Mark 5 (wood stock) a couple years back. Not sure if sled contributed or if the wrist was just ready to let go. Grain through wrist was reasonably straight and showed no signs of previous fracturing or obvious flaws in grain structure.

If its recoil thats an issue I'll put part of a bag of shot between my shoulder and the gun but I just don't like the idea of a sled especially for heavy rifles unless it somehow deals with the recoil instead of abusing the gun.

Not particular to the lead sled, I've found that different forend rests result in different POI and increase in vertical dispersion. You can see it at 100-200yds and longer range is only going to amplify it. A bit depends on the rifle/stock too, but my 700 MR will shoot more than 2MOA higher off of hard shooting sticks than it will off a bag or softer rest. The lead sled with weight or empty is going to modify the recoil cycle from being shoulder held, and affect the POI and/or grouping potential.

It’s all I use, stays on my bench year round. Reminds me, I need a new one...

+1 on changing POI

Sure helps when you have 5 or 6 to sight in!

Dang how many shots are you taking to sight rifles in....should be no more than 2-3 after a good bore sight right?

That gentleman had to much weight on the sled. That is a common problem with the lead sled in that people figure that 5lbs is good 20 is better. They put so much weight on them that they can move anymore. Recoil has to go somewhere so it finds the weakest spot. On a heavy recoil gun it is the wrist of a stock that loses the battle. I have seen several guns that have broken at that spot.

I have used one for years on some hard-recoiling rifles. The only way that they will hurt your stock, is if you have it locked to the bench, or too much weight on it. I have to reset mine after every shot. They allow you to shoot a hard-kicker for as long as needed, with no damage to your shoulder. I have shot with it to 530 and have same poi as with sand bags. If it changes for you, it is because you changed your hold on the rifle, not the rest.

I will continue to use mine with all of my rifles and they are absolutely wonderful for getting a kid some good shooting time without building a flinch.

That's all it takes me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeoFYsBSS3U

Factor in Leupold Leap?

i use a lead sled on bigger catridges to begin with on sight-in ,but to finalize a rifle and scope I just wear a pad and no lead sled.

I have used a lead sled ever since they came out.
Here in Montana I use a 300 win mag and have never had a problem.
I use the lead sled on 223,6.5 Grendel,358 win270,3006/300 win mag,300 weatherby mag and 45/70 and never had a scope slip yet.
I have heard of a scope slipping backwards in the rings but I haven't had a problem.

If the scope slips it'll be forward.

I’m getting ready to get mine out, I have a half dozen I need to sight in. I wouldn’t trade for mine. It sure is a shoulder saver!!

Due to the gun recoil movement being different in the sled than on your shoulder the POI will definitely change.

When I was shooting high power moving the sling from under my front hand to on top of my hand changes the POI by inches at 500 yards...

Until you have those types of experience to know that the pressure you put on each contact point, and how each contact point reacts during recoil under controlled conditions it’s hard to realize just how much something like that changes POI, but I can assure you it does.

I use mine to get close, then a rest and 💼 bags

I still don’t get it...it’s literally only 2-3shots to get it close...why even bother with it if going to rest and bags after that.

I usually have at least 5 or 6 when I go, I have a gay Sako 270, two 6.5 Creedmoor’s, and a 7mm ultra mag waiting to be sighted in now. Probably a 30-06 too before it warms up. It’s faster and if you have that many it helps on an old shoulder.

I used to turn my nose up at the idea of using one until I tried one.

I had one and used one for a couple years....then I realized about point of impact shifts and also got scopes that allow for much quicker sight ins than 5-6 shots with working reticle. As such I hadn’t used my lead sled in 4+ years or so and finally gave it away. But I should have saved the person I gave it to the trouble and just threw it away.

It’s not like I have never used one. Aside from the point of impact shifts, it being rough on the rifles (yes I never ran mine with weight on it), it also changes how you get behind the gun, lop is different and cheekweld is different, all for 2-3 shots then off to bipod and rear bag? Nah I will just get behind the gun like I normally do and work up loads. Even my sub 5 pound 338-06 (before optics) isn’t that bad off a bipod and rear bag of you loaf the bipod some and marry up to the rifle.

But if it works for you than go for it.

I know it's not fair, but when I'm at the range and I see a lead sled come out I can't help but think "Oh boy, here we go". Sort of the same feeling as when a guest shows up at the camp with a Remington Jammaster.

I have one and use it often. I don't put any weight in mine. It's the best way for me to hold the rifle and then easy to dial the scope in also. I do shoot different positions without the sled also. I'm not carrying that thing into the woods, HA

I’ve used them since before lead sleds came out, benchmaster I believe, and still have the original lead sled on my shooting bench behind my shop. I have never experienced what others have said, I’d hate to quote how many rifles have been shot at my place, mine, pards, neighbors etc. never been a problem. Guess we’re lucky.

Never said it would break anything just saying there is a definite point of impact shift if using it versus not. Whether it’s because it’s impossible to get behind like as you would as you would actually shoot the rifle I don’t know. All I know is it didn’t shoot the same. I agree I never broke a rifle in one either. If it floats your boat and the recoil of the rifle you are shooting is too large to shoot it without then I guess the point of impact shift is worth it.

Nothing wrong with that. Just not for me glad to get mine out of the garage and not tripping over it anymore.

Saw this.

Don't usually shoot more than 200 yds.

Do stretch to 300 or 400 on occcasion!

so FWIW


























don't recall more than a skosh worth of difference in the POA vs. the POI


ya!

GWB

Fuggin' thing bent a hump in the buttstock off the top rifle, Gee

schitt happens!




dinks get perforated



consequently



sometimes a better scope is the ticket!

ya!


GWB

Same results for me gee dub ya....

The only time I ever used one was after I had shoulder surgery. I borrowed one then to check the zero on my deer rifles. If I was shooting something that had a lot of recoil, I'm sure it would help. I use a Caldwell Rock front rest, and 2 sandbags for the rear. Has always worked good for me.

Over the years I have reloaded over 80 different chamberings, most being for rifles. I have done a considerable amount of load development shooting different combos of powder, load densities using different bullets. I typically do this over a chronograph and choose the load with the accuracy/velocity co-effecient that most pleases me at that time. For years I would develop loads using a different combo/bullet than the year previoius. I used to suffer from magnumitis.

I'm 5' 8" and 190 lbs. I shoot an un-braked 300 Weatherby or a 375 H & H or a 45-70, say 10 rounds each (three three shot groups, or two five shot groups) in a single session I tend to develop a flinch not to mention my shoulder being turned to hamburger.

You can do a test. Have someone accompany you and after you've fired a dozen or so, un-beknownst to you set you up with an empty chamber. One might be surprised at the flinch.

I find that using a weighted lead sled I am able to concentrate much more on the intended point of impact and trigger control as I do not have my sub-conscious warning me that I'm about to get the schitt kicked out of me. IMHO, this translates to the filed when hunting.

ya!


GWB

You have some fine rifles!

I have long arms, so it doesn’t bother me to use a sled. POI doesn’t change from the sled to the bags for me, but I always double check.

So your rifle is too short when not using the lead sled?

Probably just a little.

I don't like using a lead sled. beats up the gun way too much. I'm sure this is an arguing point, but I prefer sighting in the same way I will shoot in the field. (sans lead sled)

A past magnum recoil shield is your friend. My son calls it our pussy pad.

Lead sled is a sissy sled, but it works.

I use the PAST pads sometimes. I also keep a few flat mouse pads in my shooting bag, primarily to have something to put my right elbow on. A mouse pad, folded double, can also serve in the same way the PAST pad does, and they are cheap. A $1 cheapo flat flip-flop will do the same, once you cut the strap part off.

It certainly works if you are more concerned about mitigating recoil than checking the accuracy of your rifle.

Otherwise why would so many people even bother with switching to not using it once they got the rifle sighted in...which again shouldn’t take more than 2-3 shots.

I use one as I shoot a lot in cold weather, and the recoil bothers me in cold weather! Find it easier to shoot consistent for load development.

Too many birthdays! And don,t use much weight on the sled bed, so rifle does move and not break stuff.

With heavy kickers the rifle should move back (recoil) and scope remain in place. I.e. the scope appears to be moving forward in ones rings.

At 66, I am a wuss fer shure!

ya!

GWB

What I gather is no one uses these for final sight in and then go use them long range....