Rifle rests

[hooligan1]

I ditto Stealth1's reply, only I use a 25lb weight and a bag of leading weighing 18 lbs, I place on top of the weight. It makes for some steady sight pics,, but it's a PITA carrying this stuff when I shoot by myself... Where's those damn kids when ya need one of em?)

Only one con: you will have to readjust it for each shot.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Not to be a smart alec, but how do develop your shooting skills if you take the human element out of it?

 

[Big Pard]

I have used a bullbag, lead sled, and a homemade version of a lead sled and I like the lead sled type a little better than the bag.

 

[Jo6pak]

Not to be a smart alec, but how do develop your shooting skills if you take the human element out of it?

Not to be a smart alec, but did you read the original post?

I'm looking for a rest or support to find the potential accuracy of several rifles. I want to have something that will eliminate as much human error as possible, and not break the budget.

My desire is to test the rifle, not the shooter

 

[hooligan1]

Sometimes there are people who don't understand this reason, jo6pak.
Hell I want to totally eliminate ME from the accuracy equation, and that Oldtimer is the main reason!! When shooters like me and 6-pak are testing data loads we don't want any "weak links" in the process and using these various rest allow us to remove the weakestr of all,,, ourselves.


And as it pertains to real world hunting and shooting, it's that our rifles and loads have been tested and are at their very best even though every hunting situation can be different, they are dead on and I can "aim small" and "miss small". I practice shouldering and dry firing to a fault in the months leading up to deer season. I feel this gives me a good accounting of what I can expect from my equipment and myself.

Jo, buy the Leadsled Plus and two 25 lb weights, (that will fit in the sled) and never look back!

 

[jmr40]

I got something similar to this for Christmas many, many years ago that I use as a front rest.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo..._l=SBC;cat104792580;cat104769180;cat104212080

Mine is actually smaller and more compact, but works on the same principle. I use these for the rear.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo..._l=SBC;cat104792580;cat104769180;cat104212080

I've used homemade sandbags in the past. If you learn how to use them you can eleminate all human error. Much simpler, cheaper, and easier to use than complicated contraptions.

Be aware that the stock absorbs 100% of the recoil on a lead sled. When firing off sandbags or any other type of rest the stock slides on the bags and your body gives some. There have been lots of stocks broken from recoil when shooting off lead sleds or similar rests.

 

[HKGuns]

There have been lots of stocks broken from recoil when shooting off lead sleds or similar rests.

Do you have any evidence to support this claim?

I'm certainly not all knowing, but have never even remotely had an issue and my 220 grain .338 Win Mag is certainly a stout load.

 

[jmr40]

I've read of it happening to several guys, but this is the only person who has posted a photo of his gun.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=375703

Read the whole thread. Seveal other posters claim to have seen or heard the same.

 

[HKGuns]

Thanks JMR, will do that....

 

[Jo6pak]

Interesting info on the damaged stocks. Could it be an issue of improper mounting? Or an inferior stock that was poorly manufactured? Guess it's hard to say without having all the info or seeing it happen in person.

The heaviest caliber I would be using it for would be 30-06 or .270. Mostly it would be in the 5.56-.308 range.

Is holding the rifle static of any concern with auto-loaders? My thought is that it may be a bit harder on the action. But maybe not enough difference to matter much.

 

[tobnpr]

Hell I want to totally eliminate ME from the accuracy equation, and that Oldtimer is the main reason!!

Ditto...

Same reason some guys don't get why we shoot precision handloads (or factory match ammo)...

I like to know that, when the bullet didn't go where I wanted it to, it was MY fault...not the rifle, not the ammunition. I seen no way to become a better precisionshooter without ruling those out.

 

[phil mcwilliam]

I was up at my mates 2,000 acre cattle property last weekend with all the guys, as we all wanted to get in some practice & check the rifles were sighted in prior to going on our various planned hunting trips in March. My mate has a Caldwell lead sled which we used to check 5 different rifles, 4 of which were 30-06's.
I like the Caldwell lead sled as it provides a good steady rest ,& checking of rifles zero can be done relatively quickly. The lead sled does have to be readjusted between shots, but I find it quicker to align than if Im using sandbags.
The Caldwell lead sled is cushioned where the stock fits, and the lead sled does move backwards under recoil, as it is not bolted down. I wouldn't be too concerned about stories of the occasional stock being broken, as there can be many factors that influence a weak/brittle spot in a stock both wood & synthetic. There has been plenty of cracked stocks on rifles that have never been anywhere near a lead sled.
While I find the lead sled good for sighting in, or checking differences in ammunition, as a hunter I much prefer to practice shooting using improvised rests such as trees & fallen logs, & guessing distances while walking around my mates 2,000 acres.