Lead sled

Doug

Doug

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
944   0   0
Location
Kingston Ont
I have heard about these, and one of the guys locally had talked about getting one, but I don't think he ever did:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/caldwell_lead_sled.htm

I watched the video clip on the Caldwell web site as well, it's a bit hokey but after all it is an infomercial...... There is NO DOUBT that this critter reduces recoil, especially if it is loaded with one hundred pounds of lead shot!

But here is the question: if you have a really hard-kicker, and use this type of device, does it not cause damage to the rifle stock? All of that force is still acting on the stock, ie backwards recoil, but the rifle is more or less immobile in the cradle. So the recoil that would normally be absorbed by the shooter's shoulder is just (apparently) being absorbed by the immobile stock. That "has to" be bad for the stock, I should think.

Has anybody used one of these? Anybody with a physics degree that can tell me if my hypothesis is correct or full of holes? I am not looking to buy a lead sled, heck I do not own anything that has much recoil any more - but this question intrigues me.

Doug
 
Well Redd does have one that I got in Buffalo. we have been using it know for a full year and love it for rifle and slug gun sight in. I have noticed that it does stress recoil pads and on the holo synthetic stocks has actually pinched the pad which needed to be unscrewed and readjusted. We havn't made it practice to shoot the big boomers solely in the sled, but the smaller cals are great for punching paper and smacking varmints over the bait pile @ 300 yards. It is an excellent tool for load development and sight in ...other than that we like to practice our off hand shooting and bipod shooting.
 
Hey Doug

I have one and makes for a great load testing rest. Was using it with my 444P and didn't notice any issues with stock or recoil pad. There is padding on the rear cradle.
 
Last edited:
444shooter said:
Hey Doug

I have one and makes for a great load testing rest. Was using it with my 444P and didn't notice any issues with stock or recoil pad. There is padding on the rear cradle.
Click to expand...


Even Chilly's 375 ultramag is a puppy in it...
 
Thanks for the replies, guys!

We could have used one this morning. Andy (762 nato) brought his four new Rugers to the range: .375 H&H AI, .416 Rem Mag, .340 Wby and .378 Wby. He has ammo for three of four, and I have some ammo coming from a fellow Gun Nut in BC to try out the .378 Wby.........

Ruger #1s are not lightweight guns, but they are not exactly heavyweights either. You knew that you had touched off the trigger when you shot any of them.....

BTW Andy's opinion on the lead sled would be that it would NOT cause damage to the stocks.......

Back to Jerry, the LOP would be about 1" longer in the video I saw (link above).

Doug
 
It looks like a good range tool to me, I would think firearms with a big bang would have stronger and better stocks and connections? Where do you think any damage might occur in the wood or in the connection between the two?
How are they fired at the factory for testing? I guess you could always pad it more LOP at a range is less important than when hunting.
You may want to order one before those .378 Wby's arrive.
Just some thoughts, I like it(the clip was a little corny though)
OS
 
Last edited:
I Got to try one at the local range once........
It worked well...we were shooting a 378 Weatherby, I normally don't like too many 300 grain bullets pushing 3000 fps from the bench:redface:

This was very surprising, and very steady for developing loads in the Big Kickers without stretching out your collarbone;)
Note that the Lead Sled is not a machine rest and is designed for use only when the shooter's shoulder is pressed firmly against the rear rest. It must not be fastened to the shooting bench
Click to expand...
Doug, the above is why it does not necessarily contribute to "stock damage from recoil.....the entire rest slides rearward under recoil. If a stock were to crack at the wrist or ??? I'd bet it would have cracked eventually with or without the sled IMO.
 
Bought one a little over a year ago. Have Kind of a Fetish for Magnums, use it to sight them in it tames them right down with only one bag of lead in the sled.
The part I like is I don't mind RIFLE THAT KICKS if you know it is going to hit what you are pointing it at. Sight it in real good with the lead sled and when hunting you know where it is going to hit so a whack or two well you are usually so pumped up you never even notice.
I have a 308 Norma I would just about DARE anyone to run a box of bullets through and not be shaking like a leaf. In the sled it shoots like a 270.
Ken.
 
The lead sled is the premier shooting rest made right now... It is not very portable carrying around 50 or 75 pounds of lead shot. :redface:
I have used it with 100 pounds of lead on it... two scopes seperated from the gun and bounce off foreheads... several bushnells and tascoes get their internals scrambled... one damaged synthetic stock butt pad.. a hole in 3/4 inch maple bench top from the rear leg.... convinced me to use 50 pounds of lead with most rifles and 75 pounds of lead with slugguns.:cool:
 
Yeah buddy... we would never put our stock against a wall or tree and pull the trigger... energy has to go somewhere. Here is a pic of the lead sled on duty on the deck....270wsm with 50 pounds of lead... you can watch your bullet strikes throught the scope! If that rifle did not have a break I would use 75pounds of lead.
http://www.nexicom.net/~yorky/#####.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom