Lead Sled for load development?

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MJY65

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 4, 2011
418
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Minnesota
#1
I realize that shooting off of a Lead Sled is not a good way to get a final zero or to practice realistically, but am wondering about using one for OCW load development. It would seem to be a way to eliminate a few variables.

Anyone using them? Good or bad experiences?
 
#2
A while back there was quite a few pics of different guys from this forum at the range and actually had there bolt or semi autos tied down to there leadsleds to elimanate those variables your talking about. They basically said they make adjustments to the sled and touch the trigger off without touching any other part of the rifle. It sounds great for load development but i think you would have to get use to some recoil at some point in time. I like the bipod bag set up myself. Im sure some more experienced guys will have comments.
 
#3
Not a fan of them. If you are going to send rounds down range you might as well shoulder the rifle and work on your shooting skills. I have heard reports of stock damage to rifles using lead sleds due to the stock having to absorb most of the recoil. Don't know if its true or BS. If your recoil sensitive or shooting a large magnum, you may want to consider installing a muzzle brake.
 
#5
I have one and have used the crap out of it for zeroing heavy recoiling magnum hunting rifle for friends and then putting on a bipod and bag for another round or 2 to make sure it didnt have stock pressure or something else bound. I have also used it for just as you described for load development. Have also seen some do the same thing as described where the rifle is ratchet strapped down and only trigger touched but more like a jerk and was worse off. I will continue to use it for the heavy recoiling magnum hunting guns but for i had rather shoot prone with pods and bags any day even for load development. Hope this helps, as for the stocks being messed up while using them i have seen pictures of it but nearly everyone i saw had to much weight on the sled. I have the original and i believe you can put up to 60lbs on it, the most i have used is a 50lb sack of corn laid over the center cause thats all i had with me and if it would have been a wooden stock wouldnt have done it. Was a very hard hitting light weight 300 weatherby, still lifted the front of the sled up but was bitter sweet cause got to watch my father-in-law shoot it next and bout lifted him up.
 
#6
Was also mentioned recently that some scopes were failing due to the increase in recoil violence due to the rifle not being able to move like it can when in someone's shoulder.
 
#9
7mmSTW said:
I never had any luck shooting a group with one. Much better off with bags, bipod, front rest etc...
Click to expand...

I've never fired a shot off of one, but I would imagine it's difficult to get into a natural position behind it. Having the cradle in between your shoulder and the butt might also make it difficult to get the correct cheek weld.
 
#10
McCrazy said:
Was also mentioned recently that some scopes were failing due to the increase in recoil violence due to the rifle not being able to move like it can when in someone's shoulder.
Click to expand...

I hadn't heard that. I can understand the extra force being applied to the stock, but it would seem that the scope would have less stress on it since it wouldn't be subject to as much movement/inertia. Nonetheless, it seems like there are plenty of good reasons to avoid it.
 
#11
I was talking about getting a lead sled with a friend of mine. Talking about trying to eliminate me as a variable. My girlfriend overheard the convo and started gathering information on them and bought me the superdooper one that Caldwell offers for my birthday.
I guess the good news is that it doesn't shoot any better than i do. I have an fcp in 308 that weighs about 13 pounds and no muzzle brake. With 30 pounds on the sled and me still behind it (but not trying to absorb the recoil) the sled still moves back quite a bit and i have to keep repositioning it. Its cumbersome.
I think it has is benefits but i think i will just put it in the truck when i go to the range to keep my girlfriend happy, as its one of the nicer things a woman has done for me - and its the thought that counts...
 
#15
rugerdiggs said:
I have one and have used the crap out of it for zeroing heavy recoiling magnum hunting rifle for friends and then putting on a bipod and bag for another round or 2 to make sure it didnt have stock pressure or something else bound. I have also used it for just as you described for load development. Have also seen some do the same thing as described where the rifle is ratchet strapped down and only trigger touched but more like a jerk and was worse off. I will continue to use it for the heavy recoiling magnum hunting guns but for i had rather shoot prone with pods and bags any day even for load development. Hope this helps, as for the stocks being messed up while using them i have seen pictures of it but nearly everyone i saw had to much weight on the sled. I have the original and i believe you can put up to 60lbs on it, the most i have used is a 50lb sack of corn laid over the center cause thats all i had with me and if it would have been a wooden stock wouldnt have done it. Was a very hard hitting light weight 300 weatherby, still lifted the front of the sled up but was bitter sweet cause got to watch my father-in-law shoot it next and bout lifted him up.
Click to expand...

What he said!
 
#16
I have a lead sled and like it. Less recoil, very little movement, and helps when you are trying to distinguish between a load that cuts 1/2" groups and one that cuts 3/4" groups. Is it better than a bipod and bag? Not really. But I only have a bipod on two of my rifles, the other 7 I don't.

I will say though that I don't use a weight, and my big bore guns have muzzle brakes so recoil isn't an issue to start with.

I've never had an issue with scopes or stocks failing because of a lead sled. Plus if a scope DID fail while in a lead sled, how can you be sure it was the direct result of being in the sled, and not just the scope coming apart? Sounds kind of hard to believe...
 
#17
I have the Dual Rail version and I feel like I am dialing in artillery instead of sighting a rifle. The adjustments are coarse and imprecise, it walks all over with every shot, and it is frustrating to the point of taking the joy out why you are there to begin with. Give me a PAST magnum pad if I need one and let me get to work.
 
#18
I could never get decent groups out of a sled (hovered around 1MOA+ 5 shot groups with a .5MOA bolt gun). My conclusion was that it acts like a poorly fitting stock (in addition to the stock already on the rifle). The recoil will cause the rifle to shift slightly in the sled, and the next shot will respond differently during recoil. When you shoot from a bipod and rear bag, you allow the rifle to recoil straight back every time. Not so much with a sled. My opinion: If I can't handle the rifle long enough to sight it in, I probably need a different rifle. I'm no hunter, though....
 
#19
Temp9 said:
I could never get decent groups out of a sled (hovered around 1MOA+ 5 shot groups with a .5MOA bolt gun). My conclusion was that it acts like a poorly fitting stock (in addition to the stock already on the rifle). The recoil will cause the rifle to shift slightly in the sled, and the next shot will respond differently during recoil. When you shoot from a bipod and rear bag, you allow the rifle to recoil straight back every time. Not so much with a sled. My opinion: If I can't handle the rifle long enough to sight it in, I probably need a different rifle. I'm no hunter, though....
Click to expand...

Sounds about right to me.

The only person I've ever known to just love them is this guy that works with me. He brings it "hunting" in case he might be able to shoot from on top or in the bed of his truck. Kind of a dummy actually. I've tried endlessly to explain that proper technique, a bipod and rear bag would be infinitely more useful.... Some people.
 
#21
Shot my best group with the "Solo", but only once. Otherwise it was a pain, needing constant readjusting. Still shot better on average with a bipod and bag. I eventually sold it.
 
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