Lead Sled Opinions

[2ski]

I bought a lead sled a few months ago. It made my sub moa 243 go to not a sub moa gun while shooting on the lead sled and changed my point of impact when it had ben sighted in. My buddy tells me it throws off the harmonics of the gun. I bought one so I could break in the barrel of my 308 while I had an injured shoulder. So much for that.

 

[Michael54]

I've zeroed guns for years on a weighted sled with no issues. My P.O.I is always super close off of bags or a bipod w/ rear bag afterwards. You are over thinking it.

 

[Bubblehide]

Common guys, I use a sled to shoot my 50 cal all the time

 

[BFR]

I’ve used mine whenever I’m working on a new load and for sighting in. Haven’t used weight and haven’t had any problems with damage or change in POA. Once I’m dialed in all the rest of my shooting is done with whatever rest is available without sitting at a table.

 

[wapitibob]

I haven't used it in years but when I did I used it without weight.

 

[Geewhiz]

I don’t own one but am thinking of getting one. I know I am not always the best shooter but I like to throw it on my uncles lead sled to confirm that the rifle is doing it’s part.

 

[Agross]

Ill go against the grain on this one. I think they are great for getting a new gun or scope dialed in. They take the human error out of it . I've never shot a gun out of the sled and then shot off a rest and had it be different. Granted I'm shooting 150 yards and under most of the time to get it close, not shooting long range like many of you. I have used one for years and literally never had any problems with gun or scope whatsoever. I've used them with and without weight. It's not like I'm putting 500lbs on it. Just enough to reduce the recoil a little which doesn't take much.

 

[nobody]

Thanks for everyone’s responses, I appreciate them all. It’s interesting to hear everyone’s opinions on the subject.

Im guessing I haven’t done any damage to my gun with one shot, but I’ve definitely decided to not use the rest ever again. I just don’t like that they don’t allow the gun to recoil freely! I’m quitting while ahead and not putting my gun in one ever again!

 

[peterk123]

Interesting topic. I have never used one but wonder if it is beneficial in any way. I sewed up some shooting bags and filled them with rice. I have four bags in total, two large and two small. Together they way 45 pounds or so. I set my rifles on them. Use the two large ones in the front and the two small ones in the rear. Rifle can be held quite solidly in place with my shoulder as the backstop. I guess I will stick with my rice bags

 

[ChrisAU]

I had one break a wood stock on a 338 win mag. Never used it since.

 

[nobody]

I had one break a wood stock on a 338 win mag. Never used it since.

How did it break? At the wrist, behind the recoil lugs, at the action screws, bedding pillars? How many shots did you get before it broke? Trying to get some firm examples for future conversations.

 

[ChrisAU]

How did it break? At the wrist, behind the recoil lugs, at the action screws, bedding pillars? How many shots did you get before it broke? Trying to get some firm examples for future conversations.

At the action screws. Split down the middle of the underside of the stock screw to screw. Blind mag Savage 116. I’m not sure exactly how many shots. I didn’t notice it until I went to take it apart to check l torque specs after accuracy went to hell.

 

[Laramie]

I had one gifted to me but I don't shoot off of it. When I'm sighting in a new gun or sighting in due to a load change, I use it after the shot. Essentially, I shoot prone off a bipod (with a rear support) and then move the gun to the sled for scope adjustment. Place the rifle securely in the sled with the crosshairs on the X. Then adjust the scope to match the previous shots bullet impact. After this, I verify with shots off the pods. It's a very quick way to get a rifle on zero imo.

 

[nobody]

At the action screws. Split down the middle of the underside of the stock screw to screw. Blind mag Savage 116. I’m not sure exactly how many shots. I didn’t notice it until I went to take it apart to check l torque specs after accuracy went to hell.

This is the type of stuff I was looking for, and the reason that I'm nervous I may have damaged my gun on Saturday. How old was the gun? Was this in one range trip or did you use it on multiple trips to the range before accuracy finally fell off?

 

[ChrisAU]

This is the type of stuff I was looking for, and the reason that I'm nervous I may have damaged my gun on Saturday. How old was the gun? Was this in one range trip or did you use it on multiple trips to the range before accuracy finally fell off?

It was a new rifle, probably had 3-4 range trips on it. Some using sled some not. This was 4-5 years ago, details are fuzzy.

 

[nobody]

It was a new rifle, probably had 3-4 range trips on it. Some using sled some not. This was 4-5 years ago, details are fuzzy.

Well I guess time will tell if I did damage mine shooting on Saturday. Shot well when I left, even after I used it, but I guess you never know...

What did you do to fix your gun? Just replace the stock?

 

[ChrisAU]

Well I guess time will tell if I did damage mine shooting on Saturday. Shot well when I left, even after I used it, but I guess you never know...

What did you do to fix your gun? Just replace the stock?

Yep

 

[Achigan1]

I’ve had and used two over the years. Couple of bags of shot really takes the sting out of 375 / 416 stuff.
That said I’ve never shot a great group off of one and some rifles seem to hate’em.
I used them for initial on-paper shooting then went to rest and bag or bipod and bag.

 

[nobody]

I’ve had and used two over the years. Couple of bags of shot really takes the sting out of 375 / 416 stuff.
That said I’ve never shot a great group off of one and some rifles seem to hate’em.
I used them for initial on-paper shooting then went to rest and bag or bipod and bag.

Ever any damage to a gun? I'm honestly trying to gauge if I may have damaged mine with my shot on Saturday. Like I said, I never will use one again after the reaction of my gun, but it sure made me nervous.

 

[Laramie]

Ever any damage to a gun? I'm honestly trying to gauge if I may have damaged mine with my shot on Saturday. Like I said, I never will use one again after the reaction of my gun, but it sure made me nervous.

If you are seriously concerned.... Damage or not, you are likely going to be nervous about it for some time. I dropped a gun once when I fell down a hill. There wasn't any visible damage but I never felt confident with that gun again so I sold it. Peace of mind is really worth a lot. If you are really concerned, sell it and buy something else. Used prices are high enough right now you shouldn't lose too much.