This discussion (and the stupid misconceptions) re-occur periodically on gun forums.
I will not comment too much on the broken stocks issues.
But generally speaking, those stocks were probably weak to begin with,
probably pre-cracked, etc. In fewer words, they had it coming.
Get a synthetic, it is better anyway.
Scopes:
When the sled (or any other device used to stop recoil)
is used properly,
it is physically impossible to damage a scope.
Get back to school or read this thread where it was all explained:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?804807-Lead-Sled-Problems
UM, no it isn't physically impossible to damage a scope, especially some of the cheaper lines.
The major reason most people buy a Lead Sled is to reduce felt recoil.
When the rifle is allowed to slam back or is held against an unmoving object, the energy generated by the ignition of the cartridge has to go somewhere, it just doesn't disappear. Some of the energy is bled off from muzzle jump but most of it is taken up by the butt, which is press tightly against the rear plate of the butt socket.
That energy is contained by the weight of the sled and the back plate.
The recoil pad on the rifle, if there is one, compresses until it reaches its limit then very rapidly reverses direction. It is this reversal of direction that damages the scopes. They are built to handle recoil in the opposite direction.
Really expensive rests like the ones offered by RANSOM, have adjustable recoil limiters built into them to compensate for this.
It's the same type of recoil that spring actuated air rifles have. Even the low velocity air rifles can damage some very expensive and tough scopes.
Years ago, at a private range I frequented, a now deceased friend and I wanted to build a test bed for Hunter Bench Rest rifles.
This unit was built out of 1/2 inch steel for the base plate, which was bolted to a concrete topped table and adjustable 1/2 inch aluminum plates for the butt. The forend support was adjustable for windage and elevation, via a 1 inch threaded NF rod, with an adjustable pad rest on top of an adjustable windage platform.
All of the pads on the holding units were made up of a heavy durometer, wear resistant, white rubber. We used the same rubber in the butt socket.
The very first rifle we tested looked like all would be well for the first group.
On the second group, everything went awry quickly.
The scope, a Burris fixed 6 power with a fine mildot reticle and AO, suddenly canted. This rifle had a few hundred rounds through it already without issues so it was a surprise for a relatively expensive US made scope. But, as we all know, even the best and toughest scopes can develop issues.
Quickly changed out the scope with a VariX II Leupold 6.5 x 20 x 40 with AO. Shot two more groups. The first group was very tight. The second, opened up to about 6 inches with one tenth grain of powder increase. Shouldn't have made that much difference.
The scope reticle had broken away from its adjusters.
It finally dawned on us that this had something to do with the rest.
The folks at Leupold, told us to send the scope to Korth Industries in Alberta, then explained why this had happened.
When you buy a scope for a spring actuated air rifle, make sure the scope is built to handle the reverse recoil. It isn't a matter of if but when it will come apart.
