Most people, myself included, dont enjoy shooting the big bores from a bench; many develop a flinch. The Lead Sled is OK, but can lead to broken stocks; besides, I feel it doesnt really help with the rearing UP of the rifle, when shooting the REALLY big boomers. The muzzle blast from a brake is actually worse than the recoil for me.
I have come up with what i think might be a good design; See below



The recoil reduction devvice is a 15 lb bowling ball, viz attached to the rifle with a felt padded clamp; (several quick-clamp designs are possible)The weight is sufficient to convert a 10 lb rifle to a 25lb rifle, the barrel lift is moderated as well as the backward recoil, and no stocks are broken!
Finally, the ball allows the rifle to be angled appropriately to get on target more easily than a lead sled; may not get bench rest accuracy, but who needs it for a REAL big bore?
Now we only need someone handier than I to make it!
What does everyone think?

1) I am out of 15 lb bowling balls cause I shot the last one I had from a recoiless launcher into a Prius a 1500 meters in celebration of the last "Earth Day".

2) Don't worry - I have a source for new bowling balls at $20.00 each.

3) What happens when you use your system with a 2 or 4 Bore on the bench? How hard does the ball hit you in the chest?

I am leaving the 2 and 4 bores strictly alone! would need a wrecking ball for that kind of artillery!

Has Anyone tried the VRS (Versatile Rest System) which has extendable legs and could be set up to hold the rifle steady so that you can stand up to "bench" it. It looks OK, but I have only seen it on video.

Not bad, but unless you plan on carrying that contraption into the field, don't you think your point of impact might be a little different when shooting at game?Maybe you could hire a "ball bearer" when hunting.
What do you consider REALLY big bores?
I think a standing rest is the best bet for extended shooting sessions for anything 585 and larger.

quote:

I feel it doesnt really help with the rearing UP of the rifle

Sorry, I am not sure what we are trying to accomplish here. The "rearing up" is what the rifle does from the rest, AND from the shoulder (without the rest). I am glad it "rears up" because if it didn't, it would be coming straight back! We are dealing with large amounts of energy here, and it has to go somewhere. It really doesn't worry me that I can't shoot 50 rounds from the bench, at one sitting, with my 450 or 500/416 double rifle. I have no need, or desire to, and, I can't afford it. So, again, what is the object of this exercise? I have some light recoiling rifles and and I have some heavy recoiling rifles. That is what makes them different.
Peter.

Better lay off the WEED

Bitterroot, by really big bores I meant .500 and above, recoil energy > 90 or so. I dont mean the howitzers, which cannot really be carried, at least by me, for african hunting.
peter, when i shoot my hot loaded 505 from a lead sled, the backwards push is attenuated, but the stock recoils into my cheekbone, leaving me with a bruise and a flinch. I only shoot it from sticks now.
And I agree that the 450's etc ar not too uncomfortable to shoot from the bench; in fact, Ive gotten MOA groups from my 404; but a 600 gr bullet at 2500-2600 fps is another thing. You have to try it to see what i am saying.
But for greater accuracy, i would like to shoot it from a bench. The bowling ball thingy may let me do that.

Although it seems to have been established that my .458 Lott isn't a "REALLY" big bore, I'll tell you what I did to sight it in from the bench.

I bought a 25 lb. bag of lead shot and wrapped it in a pig skin I had lying around. I put the whole mess directly between my shoulder and the rifle butt. Now, it's true that you'll be the envy of the range with this undeniable status symbol, but pure class is only icing on the cake with this rig. Recoil, literally, is reduced to that of a .257 Roberts, or thereabouts.

It is quite awkward to shoot with this setup, as you could imagine. It takes about a minute to get "set" with a 25 lb. squirmy sack of pellets imparting it's will to disrupt your sight picture, but it's worth it. It helps that I'm tall and very lanky, as I can reach around the "device" without too much trouble.

Bottom line: it's simple and reduces felt recoil superbly. Plus, you look cool using it

Sorry, Indlovu, I did not realise that we were talking about 600 grains at 2600 fps. I have no desire to try that that either from a bench or in the field!
peter.

Indlovu,

I am in testing phase on a system that will cut recoil for bench testing. Since I hit 2500fps with Macifej's 558gr solids this week the thought has has increased appeal. It would probably cost you 30 bucks and half an hour of your time to build one. PM me if you like.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

one of the worst things you can do to a stock is FORCE it to bend... and having the toe of the stock on bags will result in a darn quick failure. The leadsled allows the rifle to come on back, if used properly. don't try to stop more than 30% of the recoil with one.

guys, they kick alot, that's true.. and if you HAVE to do load dev just to see how far it will go.....

wear a past super magnum recoil shield and 25# on a lead sled... if it kicks so bad that you can't shoot THAT either you need to build a return to battery rail gun which will bolt onto the action, or

YOU AINT GUNNA BE ABLE TO SHOOT IT IN THE FIELD

jeffe

Indlovu, install a removable brake for shooting from the bench and use a screw-on muzzle cap for the hunt. A properly designed brake will not blast you and you don't have to use any contraptions. PM trophyhunter5000 or bigdoggy700 about the brakes on their 600 Overkills.

jeffeosso, I would certainly agree with your statement that a heavy bag under/behind the toe of the stock is asking for splinters.

Just to make it clear, my "solution" to bench shooting the big boys involves placing the entire recoil pad in contact with the bag of shot. In turn, the entire bag of shot is in contact with my shoulder. In essence, I'm wearing a lead-filled sissy pad....wrapped in pig skin.....and shame. Quite literally, the sack of shot is draped over my shoulder.

When I said it was awkward, I wasn't kidding. You have to be built like an orangutan to manage the whole mess. And truly, an orangutan I am (built like).

i would agree with Bitterroot. i built a standing rest from a dicarded chest of drawers. i won't shoot big bores from a sitting bench at all anymore as the standing bench works too well.

A 25 pound bag of shot between your shoulder and the rifle works amazingly well...

I have built a shooting rest which is about 15" high and allows me to sit straight up while shooting the big bores from a bench. This coupled with a PAST recoil pad tucked between me and the rifle makes the felt recoil just south of tolerable.

500nitro has it right. The only difference from offhand is your on your butt rather than your feet. I don't believe in adding weight or more rigid body positions when shooting hard recoiling rifles. Bullet barrel time and your rolling with the punch affect the point of impact.

Dave