Here we go. I assembled my Lead Sled in about 10min. without any parts missing or damaged. It is well constructed and functional in design.
At the range, my first choice was my .375 H&H Mag. The rifle is a Winchester Model 70 Super Classic Express with their crappy iron sights provided at the time of purchase. The load is 64 grains of 4895 with a Hornady 270gr Spire Point. The felt recoil was very light on the shoulder. Something like a 30-30 or .243. I had also fitted a Sims Vibration Laboratories recoil reduding pad on the stock (more on that later). Even though the recoil was light against the shoulder, it tended to administer a fairly severe slap against the side of my face resting on the butt-stock.
My second rifle was another Win70 same as above in .458 Win Mag. This rifle has a rear peep sight which is infinitly better than what Winchester provides!! The barrel is two inches shorter also. The ammo was loaded with 350gr soft points, though I am not sure about the powder or charge weight as these rounds came with the rifle at purchase. Again, as recoil is relative to each individual, I would have to say that the felt recoil of the .458 was around the .243 level. Once again though, the aggrivating slap to the face still occured and yes, I was holding the rifle firmly.
My third rifle was a .7mm Magnum. This is a Browning Stainless Stalker with Boss. Even though I have never really been hammered by the .7mm, it was a nice relief just to shoot it without the pop to the shoulder. This rifle has a composite stock and didn't slap my face when fired. Granted, it isn't as powerful as the other two either. The load shot was 162gr. Hornady Spire Points pushed by 64gr. H-4831. The felt recoil was like.... hhmmm... .223!!
The pattern here is that the Lead Sled lives up to its billing as a great recoil reducing device.
I have to give praise to the design of the Lead Sled because it allows those of us with the big stuff to actually do some load developement without suffering so much at the bench.
As for the Sims Vibration recoil pad I wasn't overwhelmed by it for sure. I got the one designed for my rifle, but the pad is about an 1/8inch to small for the buttstock! I shot about 20rds offhand and I really can't tell much difference between the factory red recoil pad and this after-market version. To be fair though, I should have brought the original one with me and swapped them out to get a true comparison.
If you have considered this option for a rest and have big bore rifles then get it. I had no problems adjusting elevation and very little with windage. My Sinclair rest just got a heap of work taken off it's shoulder thanks to the Caldwell Lead Sled.
I hope this helps some of you out there.
Good Luck.
Perforator

Perf,

Thanks for the GREAT(!) report. I'll probably order one this week.

Take Care,

-Steve