I have read many reviews on this shooting rest, I pondered the purchase for months and finally found one at a price I couldn’t pass up. I assembled it tonight and added the modifications mentioned on other forums. I won’t be able to give it a run at the range until next week.

I have read that the big bores have sheered pivot screws and other items. So what has the experience been with this??

Thanks…

I broke two cz stocks with the lead sled I was using two bags of shot=50lbs-on a concrete bench top. I should have known better but I had read reviews that really talked it up One rifle- 458 win- other- 458 lott might work on smaller calibers but you probably wouldn;t need it with them

I wouldn't have one.
Butch

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:
I wouldn't have one.

+1

If you can't stand the recoil, don't shoot off the bench!

quote:

I wouldn't have one.

I've seen 'em and wonder how you do the windage thing...

In my opinion and experience, the Lead Sled is a very good concept, but is poorly executed. To begin with, the rear elevation screw is located too far to the rear to properly sit on the bench and also allow the shooter appropriate posture. That is, it places the butt of the gun too far forward, thus causing the bench top to keep the shooter's body to far aft of the gun. It is also unnecessarily complicated with its screws and adjustments. One should never place any extra weight on the Lead Sled. It's own weight is plenty, when added to that of the gun, to dampen the recoil of even the largest caliber sufficiently. Adding as much as fifty pounds of weight is the equivalent of placing the butt of the gun against a brick wall. Even a .223's stock will eventually split if there is absolutely NO "give" under recoil.

A better solution than the Lead Sled is a simple homemade contraption welded together from 4" channel stock using a simple 1" diameter bolt though a nut welded in place as its (rough) elevation adjustment. Fine adjustments, whether windage or elevation, are always done with the sandbags, not some "crank" on the rest. The one I built weighs about 15 lbs and every single one of my shooting companions wants to use it, whether target shooting or on a prairie dog expedition. I use it for bench shooting even with a .22 Hornet, simply because it makes a dependable, stable rest. When zeroing a .375 H&H, it's a lifesaver.

How about a few pictures, Stone?

You could always just get a rail gun . . .

Not sure, but I imagine the "sled" is not allowed for competition, because you're not shooting the gun. You're propping the gun up in a rack and squeezing off a shot.

I can see where they'd break a stock on big bore calibers like the .458.

Bench . . .

Get a rest, Caldwell is OK. Sinclair is serious.

Bags, a serious trigger -- Jewell for starters.

Flame away, but what I'm seeing in this forum is NOT "bench rest shooting."

What I'm doing is not "bench rest" . . . It's off a bench with a "sniper rifle" and optics. But it's not what they're doing in competition.

You're out of touch Mr. Ladd. Go to www.benchrest.com or www.6mmbr.com andd learn about accurate rifles.
We shoot railguns also.
Butch

Mr. Ladd, better yet go to www.benchrest.com and go on the IBS website. Just click on the IBS logo. There, you will find a photo gallery of rifles, rests, windflags and shooters, so you can see what is actually being used by the benchresters.

You are right Mr Ladd in that most of the posters on this forum are not Benchrest shooters(its obvious that you are in this category). I can assure you though that Butch, Eddie and myself are Competitive Benchrest shooters. All three of us also build Benchrest rifles, so we do know a little something about the sport, as well as the accuracy capability of such equipment...

Can't a weekend shooter just ask a question???

"Can't a weekend shooter just ask a question???"

Of course. That is what this forum is for. You just have to realize that when you ask the question, you are going to get a variety of answers. Some may please you, others may not. Your questions also solicit responces from shooters who propose to know, "all there is to know" about every subject. Often times a shooter who thinks he knows about a certain aspect of shooting, which he has never attended or participated in, will give an answer which is not factually correct. That is when other shooters, who have the actual experience in that certain dicipline, will try to set the record straight. No one means any harm or bad will against anyone. The end result is that the person, who asked the question, will get the "straight scoop".

Here's what David Tubb uses to test his rifles and ammo. This design's been around since the late 1950's. A free recoil machine rest, it lets the rifle recoil back and upwards much like it does when fired from the shoulder.


More photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1...594303093714/detail/

quote:

Originally posted by Shootin Far:

Can't a weekend shooter just ask a question???

Having shot bench and other competitions--
and owning the product--

And using it in my instruction of kids who have ZERO weapons experience.

It does help a weekend shooter --
especially a novice--
gain some confidence and experience.

I don't agree with the --

"If you can't stand the recoil, don't shoot off the bench!"---approach.

These are not designed for true bench work--
rather to help the occasional shooter adapt to hunting rifles--esp. with the magnum trend--
and develop
1.) trigger feel and
2.) confidence in the weapons accuracy.

Both are beneficial to the casual shooter.

AND-- in teaching the youth-
it gives the instructor better control over the weapon and its use.

It is only a tool--
like a hammer or a knife-
neither inherently good or bad
AND IS useful
when used with discretion and proper application.