From the "# of rounds per session" discussion
Poster chuck375 asked:"Any issues with the lead sled cracking stocks or scope tubes? If you use a light load of lead (10 lbs) will those concerns go away?"
I didn't want to highjack that discussion to talk more about the Lead Sled so I started this new discussion.

Answers: I am using the lead sled DFT model.
My rifle is a Winchester M70 375H&H, this caliber is probably the lightest recoiling of the larger bore rifles but I am recoil sensitive when shooting from the bench position.

My lead Sled is new, so far I have use it for about 65 shots (load development 270gr Hornady's & H4350), no cracked stock yet and I doubt I will get a crack. On one of my shots I forgot to reach up to grip the forearm, the rifle recoiled straight back it barely raised up at the forearm at all. I thought it would have jumped right out of the front cradle but it didn't. There little or no torque twisting the butt stock downward that could stress the pistol grip area.

I have 2 bags at 15 lbs each, partly filled with steel BB shot that I put in the weighting tray.
With this amount of weight the Lead Sled still moved backwards a little bit maybe an inch of rearward movement on recoil.
No loosening of of the scope mount screws thank you blue loctite (steel Weaver style Grand Slams mounts, Burris Signature ZEE rings, Leupold VXIII 3.5-10x40mm scope).

Check out the video of a lead sled in action, its not the DFT model but it works the same:

http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.com/caldwell/catalog....roduct=Lead-Sled-DFT

This is a good video. It shows a rifle like mine but in 416 Rem (a known heavy hitter, note there are 4 shot bags in the weight tray in this video).

You can see the forearm barely raise up when the shooter is firing from a stack of sand bags.
A good stock design in action.

So far my only complains about the lead sled are:
1) the whole thing is rather tall.
Couple that to the badly design shooting benches at the Barrie Gun Club. I couldn't sit and shoot. I had to rise up off the bench seat to a half stand/crouch postion that was not very stable.
A better bench that doesn't have a 2x6 on edge that prevents you from putting you leg under the bench and a chair that is adjustable in height would solve this problem.

2) The front rest is a little wiggly until you tighten down the locking screws. This is manufacturing thing, it could have been made less sloppy but then it would probably cost double. Once to locking screws are tightened down the rest is stable.

The lead sled and other recoil killing rests don't break properly bedded stocks until you tie them down. I have been using one for years, it's an International and ties to the bench, a very expensive affair when I bought it but I suspect the lead sled is just as good.

Thanks all, I certainly don't need it now with my 375, but may well invest in one if I rebore to 470 Capstick. I plan to go to the big bore shoot and try out some comparable big bore kickers. If all goes well, I go up in caliber right after this years elk season.

Thanks again,

Chuck

use 1 20# bag to slow things down .. don't try to STOP the rifle

Thanks Jeffeosso,

Chuck

I use the conventional sled for all of my bench rest shooting, all calibers. I use 75# of lead shot. No problems for me. I have shot .243, 270, .280. .300wm and .375 H&H, and .458 WM on it.

I have used one with my 416 T, 375 R, and 470 Mbogo. I just use about 20# of weight and that tames even the Mbogo more than enough for load development purposes.

Haven't had a stock issue with it yet.

Cheers
Canuck

I use a lead sled for my 600's and 375. I use 2-25lb bags of shot but I also put 1 or 2 (depending on if it's for the 600's or 375) 1" thick styrofoam blocks in the rear stock pocket. This gives the stock some additional room for compression. With 50lbs the entire unit will move somewhat as well, especially with the 600's, thus allowing enough give to keep everything from tearing itself to pieces. I have also noticed that by padding the stocks in this manner, point of impact does not change compared to shooting offhand as can sometimes happen if you strap them down and allow no movement at all.

I also use the lead sled. I never add more than 20lbs of weight on the tray. I've even used it without weighting and it still works well. Have to agree re: height of the bloody thing on a range bench. I bring a 6" platform cushion to place on top of the benchrest chair to be able to line myself up with the scope, etc.
I only use the sled for sighting in and try and shoot minimal number of rounds in each rifle.
In fact it gives perfect support for sighting in any rifle as mentioned! I shoot my 375 H+H, 9.3x62 T-3 Lite and CZ 458 Lott in it. All these rifles are bedded and cross bolted (on the 375 and 458). The styrofoam is a great idea! I've noticed how quickly the toe/recoil pad can wear as this part of the stock is placed under pressure with recoil.

I have used one for about 3 years and now the FE cradle is satrting to break and the elevation screw nut broke on it. I have shot about 1500-2000 rnds over it and I too only use 1 25# bag of shot. Built a wood block to fit the cresect butt plates and add 3/4 " felt pad. The next thing is to add a kick eze pad to the ut side end to make it a bit more comfortable on the shoulder.

Hi Doug,
That's also something that I forgot to mention. My fore end cradle rest pad began to tear away at the seam not long after using it (100-150 rounds). I purchased a Caldwell replacement fore end padded rest but this was too low and the recoil would lift the fore end of the rifle up causing it to scratch on either side. I decided to tape the tear and use the original fore end rest.

My friend uses a Lead Sled when he sights his rifle in. I guess it sends all rounds the same.

I don't use one I use sand bags.

I only plan to use a lead sled for load development and preliminary sight in. I always do my final sight in off of sand bags, then check it without them. Once the load is set and the rifle is sighted in, I do most of my shooting offhand or sitting with a sling (unless we're blasting those pesky prarie dogs, the 470 Capstick should be heck on those ...)



Chuck