Lead sled?

[93trojan]

I finally got my 338 win mag back from a reputable builder. He told me that the gun was shooting half inch groups with 225 tsx federal supreme. I bought a lead sled to try some ttsx loads. When after 3 or 4 shots with the ttsx...200 and 225 gr, I would get a flier. I figured that I would stick with the regular tsx and loaded the rifle ready for the hole on top of hole thing. Well, they didn't seem to shoot any better than the other two. I would get an moa 3 shot group Nd then the 4th or 5th shot would drop about 3 inches and to the left an inch or two. Can't figure it out. It was the first time using a lead sled, but it seemed easy enough and quite solid. Anyone else have this happen to them? I was shooting a round a minute for a 4 or 5 shot string and then let it cool for 10 or 15 minutes. The stock, not the barrel, was resting on the front brace.

Any ideas?

 

[fieldsj66]

i too have a lead sled. mine is the DFT

i have had mixed results. the lack of recoil is great but the front cradle is very wobbly. i think sometimes it "flexes" different and causes mixed results. i thought about modifying mine where the front is more locked down and adding a velcro "belt" to go up and over the receiver. but i haven't as of yet so i cant comment on my plans effectiveness...

 

[Boss Hoss]

Edited

 

[retiredcpo]

I use a lead sled alot when working up a load in the beginning but once i have things narrowed down to two or three differant loads I switch to a good set of bags. much more steady for tweaking in a load. I think the lead sleds are only good for keeping you from getting beat up tring to find a load.
Get some good bags and try it again.
Also find out how long he waited between shot and compare that to what you are doing. Are you getting the barrel alot hotter than he did?
I shoot all my groups fairly quick just like you would if you where hunting that way you know how its going to act when hunting. I know some guys wait several minutes between shots.
retiredcpo

 

[rscott5028]

I finally got my 338 win mag back from a reputable builder. He told me that the gun was shooting half inch groups with 225 tsx federal supreme. I bought a lead sled to try some ttsx loads. When after 3 or 4 shots with the ttsx...200 and 225 gr, I would get a flier. I figured that I would stick with the regular tsx and loaded the rifle ready for the hole on top of hole thing. Well, they didn't seem to shoot any better than the other two. I would get an moa 3 shot group Nd then the 4th or 5th shot would drop about 3 inches and to the left an inch or two. Can't figure it out. It was the first time using a lead sled, but it seemed easy enough and quite solid. Anyone else have this happen to them? I was shooting a round a minute for a 4 or 5 shot string and then let it cool for 10 or 15 minutes. The stock, not the barrel, was resting on the front brace.

Any ideas?

I'm not a fan of the lead sled. It removes several variables and introduces new ones. But, if your first 3 shots are always tight, it doesn't seem like the lead sled is your problem here.

Try stopping with 3 shots and then wait until the barrel completely cools and try another 3 shot group. If your groups are repeatedly and consistently tight with no fliers and no change in POI, then your problem seems to be stress in the barrel and/or reciever due to heat build up that's throwing your 4th or 5th shot.

Otherwise, it may just be harmonics in the bullet/load/rifle/shooter/lead sled combo. In which case, you need to methodically change one variable at a time to identify the issue.

Or, take the rifle to your smith and observe him shooting it since he said it was on the money.

-- richard

 

[93trojan]

I noticed the front cradle as being wobbly....I have the dft also. I think my problem was not anchoring the front of the rifle. I pretty much let it just lay on the cradle with my free hand resting on top of the scope. This was comfortable for me as the extra length of the lead sled makes it a hassle to hold the forearm of the stock. I am going back and do it "old school". At least it's better than the time my dad and I mounted a scope on a 416 weatherby....he handed me the rifle and said, "Go sight it in son.". Well, I did but I never forgot it either. Shoulder felt like it was ready to fall off my body and my ears rang for a week day and night. That experience at least taught me to use hearing protection...what's left of it!

Thanks for the replies....I was pretty down yesterday as I spent a chunk of $ on this rig and I was ready to throw it over a bridge!

 

[FEENIX]

When used accordingly, the Lead Sled can be a very effective tool during sight ins and load development ...

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/caldwell-lead-sled-76496/index2.html

 

[93trojan]

Richard,

Thinking back on it, I would get fliers randomly. Out of a 4 or 5 shot string, I would end up with a nice 3 or 4 shot group with 1 or 2 fliers depending on shots taken. Come to think of it, I also had my sling stuffed down in the cradle. My new sling doesn't have "quick disconnects" like my other ones so I couldn't take it off at the range. Going back today to eliminate the variables. Definitely feeling better after reading all of the posts. My builder also emailed me and said he has $100 bill saying it's the sled.

Thanks guys...heading to the Monroe to hunt elk in a week with this rig. Wish me luck!

 

[rscott5028]

If you only have a week, then you need to start practicing with shooting positions/rests similar to what you'd use in the field.

The accuracy and POI can be very different from what you've been getting from the sled.

-- richard

 

[Boss Hoss]

Edited

 

[FEENIX]

Richard,

Thinking back on it, I would get fliers randomly. Out of a 4 or 5 shot string, I would end up with a nice 3 or 4 shot group with 1 or 2 fliers depending on shots taken. Come to think of it, I also had my sling stuffed down in the cradle. My new sling doesn't have "quick disconnects" like my other ones so I couldn't take it off at the range. Going back today to eliminate the variables. Definitely feeling better after reading all of the posts. My builder also emailed me and said he has $100 bill saying it's the sled.

Thanks guys...heading to the Monroe to hunt elk in a week with this rig. Wish me luck!

I too have a $100 bill that it's not the sled but it's how you are using it!

Nonetheless, good luck on your hunt. Be safe and don't forget to take pictures to share.

Ed

 

[Boss Hoss]

Edited

 

[FEENIX]

I will take that bet!!! Love easy money!!! After you use a real rest properly it is tough to go back..

LL! You're on but I get to shoot it, I too love easy money.

The sled (or any other rest) is just that ... a rest to provide a shooting platform. As you noted, it was never meant for accuracy.

The OP said he gets 3 to 4 nice groups, if he only shoot 3 shot groups he will never have the flier. Having said that, the rest, the rifle, and the shooter did their job.

If you look at the link I provided, I don't have the same issue as the OP.

Cheers!

Ed

 

[Boss Hoss]

Edited