I was cruising the net and came across a comment on lead sleds, and it summed up their need quite well. They're for those that need tougher shoulders, or need smaller calibers.
Lead sled
- Thread starter Jcalder
- Start date
Gmed
Well-Known Member
I have one and use it to "one shot zero" by locking the gun in and walking the cross hairs to the bullet hole. It save a bunch of time and ammo. I usually shoot a couple rounds off the bench to verify, but not from the sled.
Or want potentially broken stocks or scopes. And likely shoot to a different point of impact in the field.
There's never a justification of a lead sled.
I come from a time when this was a "lead sled"....
ADR
Well-Known Member
F4?I come from a time when this was a "lead sled"....
Omega
Well-Known Member
I have one, and use it for load development or when I have a bunch of rifles to zero. Normally three rounds, and it's zeroed, with one or two off the sled for confirmation. Never had any issues with the stock, or needing to move POA after using one.
I've shot probably 400 rounds through 20+ guns on a lead sled. Great for getting a long gun or slug gun dialed in. Never had a negative experience.
BlackBelt
Well-Known Member
I absolutely LOVE my Lead Sled with the dual rails so I can use extended mags underneath. I zero in a lot of sights and scopes of all flavors...hunting scopes, red dots, lpvo's, iron sights, thermal sights, night vision scopes, holographic sights, etc.
That Lead Sled is versatile enough that it's worth its weight in gold.
That dual frame is the best thing since sliced bread for a firearm with a magazine that extends downward like an AR, AK, Hk pattern rifle, or submachine gun.
If I lock a firearm into the Lead Sled I can usually have it zero'd in 3 shots.
For years I used cheap rests and those required a lot of extra ammo being shot because of the variables inherent with the rests.
I do believe that if it were legal in the state of TN that I would ask my Lead Sled for it's hand in marriage. It has never let me down and I am happy with our relationship. Sure, the honeymoon might be a little awkward. But I can slap a blond haired wig on my Lead Sled and we can just see where the night may go...
That Lead Sled is versatile enough that it's worth its weight in gold.
That dual frame is the best thing since sliced bread for a firearm with a magazine that extends downward like an AR, AK, Hk pattern rifle, or submachine gun.
If I lock a firearm into the Lead Sled I can usually have it zero'd in 3 shots.
For years I used cheap rests and those required a lot of extra ammo being shot because of the variables inherent with the rests.
I do believe that if it were legal in the state of TN that I would ask my Lead Sled for it's hand in marriage. It has never let me down and I am happy with our relationship. Sure, the honeymoon might be a little awkward. But I can slap a blond haired wig on my Lead Sled and we can just see where the night may go...
It's not just limited to elk hunters, but I'd venture to guess they're the biggest group.Elk hunters?Sorry buddy, had to.
fairchaser
Well-Known Member
Most rifles can handle the recoil of a lead sled. At 100 yards, you likely would see very little difference in the vertical caused by the difference between a shoulder and a lead sled. At greater distances, 300-500 yards, there would be 1/2 MOA or more of vertical difference. The lead sled will hit higher. I've seen it. Most rifles and loads aren't gonna notice a 1/2 MOA extra. That would be lost in the group.
If anyone had an excuse to use a lead sled it would be me for sure, shooting that WinMag without a brake.
Even the range master came by me when I shot and commented "man, why don't you put a brake on that monster?" 
Most people don't shoot enough shots in their groups to see the shift, if it's even there. Me and a few others have noticed a trend lately where people shoot their magnums one or two shots and they're done, putting the rifle back up. They really don't know how it groups.
I'd also agree with rifles handling the recoil, but I'd guess most scopes won't. That's a discussion for another day.
You may be the anomaly. Most people wouldn't shoot that gun as well as they would a smaller caliber, and if you were to shoot 50 rounds in a match, how would your groups start looking. A lead sled is a tool which allows them to shoot a caliber well they normally couldn't.If anyone had an excuse to use a lead sled it would be me for sure, shooting that WinMag without a brake.
I've shot up to 18 rounds during testing before with it, and even using a PAST recoil pad, my shoulder was blue for a few days.
I think I shot 36 that day we went to McMinnville. I was over it
fairchaser
Well-Known Member
Cheap scopes probably not. By cheap I mean anything under $500. Btw, a statistically valid group would be 10, 10 shot groups. Most hunters don't shoot that.
I don't think you need 10 of them, but 10 shot groups give you a good baseline of what you and your rifle will do.
I've also come to learn that there is no price point that indicates a good scope vs bad.
