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05-13-2020, 05:22 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 21
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Caldwell Lead Sled Question
Hi I would like to know if other users here use the lead sled to set up there rifles?
i bought mine 5 years ago and wanted to get my rifles sighted in and I am
finding that the front holder wobbles with lots of play until you lock the screw tight and the rear holder where the gun butt sits is loosely in the holder.
I get frustrated using it because the gun isn't secured properly and if I shoot my short barreled guns I cannot hold the front down properly and bullets travel high due to the design of the sled.
I won't use a gun with a hard butt plate in it cause I am scared to crack my stocks.
Any one out there having the same issues or any suggestions to modify it to make it work for me.
Beadrick
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05-13-2020, 05:48 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: In your personal space.
Posts: 4,787
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I have seen people fight with those things at the range for years. The easiest solution is to change to a bag setup.
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When in doubt, use full throttle. It may not improve the situation, but it will end the suspense.
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05-13-2020, 06:02 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 45,161
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After seeing a couple of cracked stocks resulting from using a lead sled, I don't bother with them. A proper rest and bags have always worked well for me.
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Only accurate guns are interesting.
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05-13-2020, 06:24 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Pincher Creek
Posts: 921
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beadrick
Hi I would like to know if other users here use the lead sled to set up there rifles?
i bought mine 5 years ago and wanted to get my rifles sighted in and I am
finding that the front holder wobbles with lots of play until you lock the screw tight and the rear holder where the gun butt sits is loosely in the holder.
I get frustrated using it because the gun isn't secured properly and if I shoot my short barreled guns I cannot hold the front down properly and bullets travel high due to the design of the sled.
I won't use a gun with a hard butt plate in it cause I am scared to crack my stocks.
Any one out there having the same issues or any suggestions to modify it to make it work for me.
Beadrick
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Have one and do not have any issues with a wobbly front end, in fact rarely tighten the lock screw and the platform is nice and stable. I have no issues with the rear either, keeping in mind one still needs to pull the rifle rearward and hold it in a stable and secure position. I really like using it to sight in and for load development purposes, especially shooting heavy recoiling magnums. A common complaint is that the sled can cause stock damage. I have used mine for years with no problems. IMO it is important not to weight the sled down with too much ballast and allow it to move slightly rearward when shooting heavy recoiling rifles. With non magnum rifles I use no ballast at all. I know several people do not like them however, I believe as with any tool one needs to learn how to use it effectively. Even though I have a gun vice, sometimes I use the sled to hold and secure rifles when cleaning or performing mechanical work. Totally happy with mine.
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Ranger
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05-13-2020, 09:47 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,699
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Really hard on a stock, I cracked my 30-06 in one.
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05-13-2020, 10:01 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Edmonton area
Posts: 1,467
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The stock issue isn't one with synthetics
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Wherever you go, there you are
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05-13-2020, 10:50 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 45,161
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Justfishin73
The stock issue isn't one with synthetics
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Actually it is, one of the cracked stocks that I saw, was a B&C synthetic.
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Only accurate guns are interesting.
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05-14-2020, 06:42 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 89
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I used to use one. Switched over to bags. Wayyy better for me
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05-14-2020, 06:51 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,619
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I think if the recoil is a real issue then a lead sled my be your answer. I have used one but didn't like it much.
However if you want to get used to shooting your rifle go with bags off a table, or a bi-pod shooting prone.
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05-14-2020, 10:31 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,699
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Quote:
Originally Posted by buckman
I think if the recoil is a real issue then a lead sled my be your answer. I have used one but didn't like it much.
However if you want to get used to shooting your rifle go with bags off a table, or a bi-pod shooting prone.
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I’m not an expert but if it’s a heavy recoiling gun I’d think it would be even more likely to cause damage in a sled. Shoot those babies from a standing rest.
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05-15-2020, 03:22 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 243
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Wanted a lead sled years ago but I was also worried about recoil damaging the rifle - especially on larger bore with heavy bullets and magnum rifles with lots of energy
So I ended up buying a Hyskore
https://hyskore.com/rifle-rests/
It is very accurate and reasonably repeatable - although it is something you really have to spend time with set up adjusting between shots
I don't use it much anymore - tend to shoot off a bipod like I do in the field.
However it is a nice piece of equipment to use when need calls.
It has hydraulic dampeners so as to not damage the rifles by slowing the recoil (effectively lowering the impulse) rather than a dead stop like in a lead sled.
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05-15-2020, 07:03 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Pincher Creek
Posts: 921
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deer_Hunter
Wanted a lead sled years ago but I was also worried about recoil damaging the rifle - especially on larger bore with heavy bullets and magnum rifles with lots of energy
So I ended up buying a Hyskore
https://hyskore.com/rifle-rests/
It is very accurate and reasonably repeatable - although it is something you really have to spend time with set up adjusting between shots
I don't use it much anymore - tend to shoot off a bipod like I do in the field.
However it is a nice piece of equipment to use when need calls.
It has hydraulic dampeners so as to not damage the rifles by slowing the recoil (effectively lowering the impulse) rather than a dead stop like in a lead sled.
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They look to be well made and a quality piece of equipment.
As for the Lead Sled, I find with mine, if I do not weight it down and let it move upon firing, it works just fine causing no damage to rifle stocks. A important basic rule of physics is the absorption of energy over distance, that is why auto manufactures developed padded dashes in automobiles years ago. Trying to stop or contain energy without involving absorption over distance is what results in damage. That is what the hydraulic dampeners accomplish with your Hyskcore.
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Ranger
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05-15-2020, 06:36 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 21
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Caldwell Lead Sled Question
I have decided that I will try shooting bags and will look at modifying my lead sled since I am a mechanic by trade I am sure that I can come up with a fix that will satisfy me.
Thank you guys for your suggestions.
Beadrick
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05-15-2020, 07:11 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,522
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I have used a lead sled for over a decade on many wood stock and synthetic rifles. We don’t put weight in them any more just because we don’t like packing the plates around But we used to load it up. I’ve never had a broken stock and I would bet that that doesn’t happen nearly as much as people who just want to poo poo the product let on.
If your just table top shooting they work fine. If you want something that can work in more austere locations a bipod and a rear bag is better don’t buy a cheap bipod on Amazon I’ve been down that path to it just ends up with a modified junk bipod that you can’t return.
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05-15-2020, 07:43 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Pincher Creek
Posts: 921
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubious
I have used a lead sled for over a decade on many wood stock and synthetic rifles. We don’t put weight in them any more just because we don’t like packing the plates around But we used to load it up. I’ve never had a broken stock and I would bet that that doesn’t happen nearly as much as people who just want to poo poo the product let on.
If your just table top shooting they work fine. If you want something that can work in more austere locations a bipod and a rear bag is better don’t buy a cheap bipod on Amazon I’ve been down that path to it just ends up with a modified junk bipod that you can’t return.
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Yes a table top or any smooth shooting platform works just fine. The critical factor is, they must be able to move just a little upon recoil. Used mine again today. I have shot many different rifles from the sled including heavy recoiling magnums and never damaged a one. Just don't weight them down to excess. After participating in this discussion, today I made a conscious observation of the sleds movement and could clearly see evidence based on before and after firing that the sled moved backwards with some rifles up to one half an inch.That's all that's necessary to absorb recoil over distance.
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Ranger
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05-15-2020, 10:00 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 806
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I bought one because I thought I needed it, when I started shooting. I used it a few times...didn't like it, couldn't get comfortable. Sold it, now I shoot off of bags, much happier.
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05-16-2020, 08:51 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 2,146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11
After seeing a couple of cracked stocks resulting from using a lead sled, I don't bother with them. A proper rest and bags have always worked well for me.
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100% all day long....good advice...
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Life is like baseball; it is the number of times you reach home safely, that counts.
We have two lives: The life we learn with and the life we live with after that.
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05-18-2020, 01:57 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 361
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I have a lead sled , it is now collecting dust as I went with bags, 10X times better , Lead sled is only good for a rest to to clean your guns
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