Question on lead sleds

[John S]

I'm thinking about getting a lead sled. Do you like them? Are they worth the money. Thanks

 

[wwb]

Your money, your choice.... but I fail to understand the purpose of them. The rifle will recoil differently on one of those than it will when it's against your shoulder - you have less resistance (more "give" if you will). The end result is a different point of impact; the greater the difference between you and the lead sled, the greater the change in POI.

Also, I've heard rumors that they often result in a cracked stock on rifles with really stout recoil.

 

[contender]

I got a Lead Sled when they came out as a gift. It helped a lot in heavy recoiling rifle in getting them very close to zero. Of course, I always fired a few off the Sled to verify accuracy.
Then I got the DFT one, due to low bidding at a NRA event. Miss Penny allowed me to sell the one she gave me & I kept the DFT. I still use it & it is a good rest IF you use it properly.

 

[22/45 Fan]

Lead sleds seem to be well thought of but why did you post this question in the Rimfire forum? The Rifle, etc. forum would get more views.

 

[John S]

I shot A LOT OF REDUCED LOADS AND 22'S. IT SEAMS LIKE THE ONE PEACE UNIT WOULD WORK BEST TO HELP YOU TO HAVE BETTER ACCURACY.

 

[Mobuck]

"Your money, your choice.... but I fail to understand the purpose of them. The rifle will recoil differently on one of those than it will when it's against your shoulder - you have less resistance (more "give" if you will). The end result is a different point of impact; the greater the difference between you and the lead sled, the greater the change in POI."
The device is not meant to be the final zero for a rifle. It's meant to save beating up the shooter doing preliminary scope adjustments and load workup. The stock damage is likely a result of adding too much weight. The device is not supposed to stop ALL recoil but to reduce the recoil and help control the movement of the rifle during recoil.

 

[contender]

Mobuck has it right. When I use mine,,, I do not add too much weight. Yet,,, when I have a guy who wants a 375, or an bigger caliber set up for hunting, I use the sled. I usually have to either mount a scope or re-mount it correctly. Then I have to zero it & shoot it in. I also get down & behind my sled, sorta "into it". I don't try & fix it rigidly to where it doesn't move at all. I let it rest against my shoulder, and let it rise up on the forend. By using it more like a normal rest, yet, allowing the weight to help reduce the felt recoil to my shoulder,,, I can shoot a lot more w/o the abuse to my shoulder.
I've never had a stock break or anything.
I also make the owner shoot his gun, on a normal rest, to final zero it.

It's a tool, and when used properly,,, works quite well.