Lead sled or no lead sled?

S

Sqeak'em

New member
I have been working up test loads for my dads 243 and when I am shooting them I will get a couple in the same hole but will alwas have a flier an inch or so away but I cant always blame myself for them. So the question is it okay to shoot test loads from a lead sled? I want to get the best rest I possibly can so all I have to worry about is squeezing trigger. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Get yourself some old blue jeans and cut the legs off and either use liquid stitch or have someone sew the bottom of the legs shut. Then fill them with cat litter and tie the tops shut. Cheap sand bags. I would not spend the money on a lead sled. I made small bags with the bottom 1/2 of the legs and larger bags with the top 1/2. Gives me a very stable shooting rest.
 
Originally Posted By: Sqeak'emI have been working up test loads for my dads 243 and when I am shooting them I will get a couple in the same hole but will alwas have a flier an inch or so away but I cant always blame myself for them. So the question is it okay to shoot test loads from a lead sled? I want to get the best rest I possibly can so all I have to worry about is squeezing trigger. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

A lead sled will not solve your problems.. Spend the money on ammo.
 
I have been shooting off sand bags. Just didnt know if a lead sled would be worth it since the gun is set in place and cant move much. Just want to take as much human error out as I can if possible
 
Originally Posted By: Sqeak'emI have been shooting off sand bags. Just didnt know if a lead sled would be worth it since the gun is set in place and cant move much. Just want to take as much human error out as I can if possible

1 - Don't assume that bad groups are human error...

and,

2 - If the bad groups ARE human error, then fix the human.

IF you can't shoot fer skit, then what;s the point of buying a sled - you can't take it into the field with you.

If you are really concerned about your skills, have someone that is a good shooter, try your loads.
 
I feel very confident as a shooter. And the groups arent that bad. Just didnt know if there was such thing as taking the human factor out of it.
 
NOPE human factor always there. Sometimes good and sometimes BAD
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I've got a Lead Sled. I used to shoot off sand bags when sighting in guns. Always thought a Lead Sled would help hold things steadier.

Nope!!
Even w/20# of weight in the tray, & only shooting .223, the recoil still moves the Sled.
I've come to the conclusion that the only way to hold the Sled completely solid, would be to somehow "tie it down" or bolt it to the bench.

If you're already shooting from bags, don't waste the money on a Sled.
 
I've never been a fan of Lead Sleds but some people like them.

You didn't offer much information about the 243 or what it's intended use is.

IME some guns aren't group shooters and that's fine. My 25-06 with a 24" light sporter barrel will put a cold bore shot in the bull's-eye every time. But after a couple shots and a warm barrel the "groups" will open up. That's fine though, I'm not looking for it to be a bench rifle I just need the first shot to count.
 
Originally Posted By: canislatrans54I've come to the conclusion that the only way to hold the Sled completely solid, would be to somehow "tie it down" or bolt it to the bench.

And then you'd find out how quickly you can break the stock on a rifle that has a bit of recoil.
 
The sled also doesn't allow proper form. That thingy on the butt plate gets in the way, no good cheek weld...I don't see how they're advantageous. I use either a bipod or a Rock Jr rest. Homemade rear bag. Take your time, let the barrel cool, practice good shooting form and discipline. If that does t help, try a different load.
 
Quote:So the question is it okay to shoot test loads from a lead sled?....I shoot most of my test loads from a Lead Sled to remove as much 'human error' as I can...You just have to work them a little differently....



If you notice, in the picture above, my sled is tightly strapped to the very solid bench and the rifle is stabilized in the sled...The strap holding the rifle is not so tight that the rifle can't recoil if needed, but snug enough that it won't move sideways during sight alignment....Then, all I have to do is 'pinch' the trigger....

Once I've found a really accurate load, I know that any deviance will be from my shooting skills, rather than the load..
 
Originally Posted By: OldTurtleQuote:So the question is it okay to shoot test loads from a lead sled?....I shoot most of my test loads from a Lead Sled to remove as much 'human error' as I can...You just have to work them a little differently....

Once I've found a really accurate load, I know that any deviance will be from my shooting skills, rather than the load..

This is what I do also.

The lead sled takes out a lot of human error when shooting heavier calibers. I fill two Caldwell bags with 25lbs of lead shot each. It tames the 300wsm quite a bit. I do recognize the need to practice shooting a rifle like that without the lead sled after the load development is done. To each his own though.
 
Originally Posted By: OldTurtleQuote:So the question is it okay to shoot test loads from a lead sled?....I shoot most of my test loads from a Lead Sled to remove as much 'human error' as I can...You just have to work them a little differently....



If you notice, in the picture above, my sled is tightly strapped to the very solid bench and the rifle is stabilized in the sled...The strap holding the rifle is not so tight that the rifle can't recoil if needed, but snug enough that it won't move sideways during sight alignment....Then, all I have to do is 'pinch' the trigger....

Once I've found a really accurate load, I know that any deviance will be from my shooting skills, rather than the load..

Old Turtle is also using an old bench rest shooters trick..... a Dr Pepper freeze from DQ .....drink it really fast and the brain freeze keeps you from flinching.
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I borrowed a nice lead sled once from a buddy to try. I absolutely hated it, hated dialing it in for every shot, hated how the adjustments worked, hated everything about it. Bipod and rear bag, or front rest and rear bag for me.
 
I have to say that a sled has it's place at least for me. I only use it when sighting in a new gun. and if you are sighting in a 12 ga. with a scope on it your shoulder will thank you when you are done. after trying to use the good form as some have said, it gets a bit touchy on the shoulder after about a dozen or so slugs. at that point good form is pretty much out the window. after sight in with sled, then you can worry about form and keep practicing.
 
Im not a sled fan either and I have never used one. My buddies dad has a big table with all kinds of adjustments, its insanely annoying. I asked him why he bought it, you cant take it out in the field with you. I started teaching him to load the bi pod with a rear bag and spotting hits thru the scope.
 



The reason I own and use a Lead sled is because of recoil. My last trip was with my 338win. I was shooting 40 rounds. Ten different reloads 210-250gr bullets. I use a cable release. I use 40+ pounds of lead. Does it move, sure it moves. Who cares, my should does not hurt for three days. When, I pick my best load. I went prone with a bipod, sling and a rear sand bag. I set zero and I am read for my elk hunt this fall. Do I shoot a 338win for fun, heck no.
 
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