Lead Sled Usage

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Bud Hyett posted this 19 January 2018

Has anyone used the "Lead Sled" for testing in an effort to reduce recoil? 

·                Was it effective?

·                What setup is required?

·                Do you have any tips?                 

Background; I have a bone marrow cancer and cannot bruise any bones. The cancer will possibly migrate to the bruised area and grow. My Springfield slipped from my shoulder last May during a Military match and bruised my jaw. The impact was discovered in August, cancer in my right rear lower molar, worked with dentists and doctors, root canal and crown, was told not to shoot for a time, and I am just now released to shoot only low-recoil loads.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

A table from QuickLoad showing recoil values

 

Gun;  Caliber;  Recoil (ft/lb  Comment

BSA Martini Mk I:  .22 LR; 0.08;  Target

BSA Martini Mk II;  .22 LR; 0.08;  Target

BSA Martini Mk III;  .22 LR; 0.08;  Target

BSA Martini 12/15;  .22 LR; 0.09;  Target

Ruger #1B;  .22 Hornet; 0.27;  Varmint

Remington XP-100;  .17-.221; 0.53;  Varmint

Stevens 44 ½; BR;  .25-20; WCF 0.70;  Target

Stevens 44 ½; Sil;  .25-20; WCF 0.70;  Target

Ruger #1B;  .218 Bee;  0.81;  Varmint

Remington XP-100; .221 Fireball;  1.04; Varmint

FN 400 BR;  .220 Swift;  1.09;  Varmint

Ruger #1V;  .22-.250;  1.22;  Varmint

Stevens 44 ½; BR;  .32-20 WCF;  1.31;  Target

Stevens 44 ½; SIL;  .32-20 WCF;  1.31;  Target

SAKO L461;  .222 Magnum; 1.37;  Varmint

Remington VLS; .223; 1.37;  Varmint

Ruger #1V;  .220 Swift;  2.04; Varmint

Springfield 1903;  .30-’06;  4.37; Target

Ruger #1B; 6mm Remington;  4.51; Varmint

Springfield 1903;  .30-’06;  4.52;  Target

Springfield 03A3;  .30-’06;  6.01;  Target

Winchester 1876;  .45-60;  6.09;  Target

Springfield 1924;  .30-’06;  6.83;  Target

 

Sharps 1874;  .45-70;  9.47;   Target

 

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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David Reiss posted this 19 January 2018

I have a friend with one and have used it a couple times. It seemed to be effective and set-up was not all that complicated as I can remember. I know there are several models, but I don't know which one he has. I do remember that it handled recoil very well. I really wish I could tell you more, but that is all I have. 

David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
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BigMan54 posted this 19 January 2018

I have an "ORIGINAL" Lead Sled. Bought when they 1st came out 12-15yrs ago. I use a 25bag of shot on mine, wrapped in one of their Weight Bag Carriers.

Makes a big difference to me as my right shoulder is completely blown out & my neck is worse.  It makes shooting a M1917 Eddystone with a 200gr  Jacketed bullet over 53.5grs of  IMR4350 feel like shooting a .222REM with a 50gr Jacketed bullet match load out of a 12lb BULL Gun.

It is a bit awkward at 1st, but you get used to it. If I didn't have it the only centerfire rifle I'd be shooting would be a .223 single shot using H4895 with reduced loads.

I understand they have made many improvements since my model came out. But the "ORIGINAL" still works for me. And the weight tray has room for another 25lb bag of shot.  Just waiting for the guy with a 600 NITRO EXPRESS IN ONE HAND & ANOTHER 25lb BAG OF SHOT IN THE OTHER HAND, to walk up. He'll be welcome to sit down & try it.

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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onondaga posted this 19 January 2018

I have used the original LeadSled with bags of bird shot too. I was not pleased with it at all but the reason will have no relation to your use. I used it with a .458 WM and full factory loads, The point of impact between the LeadSled and offhand with a mono pod, like I hunt,  had a 16 inch difference at 100 yards. With reduced power cast loads it was less but still a 6 inch difference. The LeadSled had no POI difference for my.223 varmint rifle but the LeadSled really had a huge difference in POI for the .458

I believe the reason was relative to my rifle's but plate angle to the bore line. My stock is designed to reduce muzzle jump and forces the recoil to push the muzzle down. That is a good plan for a rifle when shouldering heavy recoil to help keep your eye on the target but it is out of design range of the LeadSled that severely changes POI on my .458 .

I had only bought it for the .458 and it was so useless for that, I sold it. I got the Caldwell magnum rear rest and it reduced felt recoil and did not change my POI.

 

Gary

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BigMan54 posted this 19 January 2018

I didn't have the problems that Onondaga did. But the heaviest loads I fired were .375 H & H and the .45-70 Gov't with full power .45-70 500gr loads. No change of impact for me.

Just make sure your Lead Sled is rested as level as possible on a secure bench & keep your rifle level in the sled.

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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Ken T posted this 19 January 2018

I have one of the first style of lead sleds sold by Midway.Mine has a piece of metal on the front that sets over the front of the bench to stop rearward movement.I never did use it.I'll have to dig it out and look at it.I'm not sure it was intended to use with bags of shot.I intended to use it with a couple of .416's,a Rigby and a Rem Mag.The recoil of the Rem Mag is rather impressive.I noticed when sighting in that the impact bullet of the bullets changed in windage at different ranges.I feel that is from the recoil of the heavy calibers and loads.

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BigMan54 posted this 20 January 2018

My Lead Sled has no contact with the bench but the rubber feet. No front "LIP" I'd be really leary of shooting anything that was fastened to the front of the bench and had buttstock "stop". I think the muzzle would pivot straight up using the butt like a hinge. 

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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Ross Smith posted this 21 January 2018

Ever see a pope machine rest? It'll dwarf any led sled. He didn't want that rifle to move at all.

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GregT posted this 01 August 2018

I have a Lead Sled about 4 years old. Mounted it on the bench of my shooting shed. When I got it, I had no real need for it but I did shoot some FN Model 1949 service rifles from it. Now, since I have had triple bypass surgery and had my breastbone slit to get at the works, I can no longer risk any recoil and the Lead Sled, firmly anchored, is perfect. (I might try some light cast bullet loads from a standard rest but only after trying them first in the lead sled.)

GregT

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Bud Hyett posted this 01 August 2018

Thanks for all the responses.

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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GP Idaho posted this 02 August 2018

Bud: I have the lead sled that has a tray designed to hold two 25lb. barbell weights (it holds shot bags just fine also) Nothing to the set up, just set it on the bench, add weight and do your height adjustments It does a great job of taming recoil but does feel a bit awkward. I think I may do something to modify the recoil pad. The reason I made the purchase is that I wandered off into slug and round ball shooting with 12 and twenty ga. shotguns. Those will make you happy you bought the sled. Gp

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