Free recoil why why why?

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

So I just got back from testing some more loads and getting a bit more trigger time with my new LRP. I have been to the range a lot in the last week or so, and I have noticed a trend. THE LEAD SLED, I personally do not understand the lead sled. Guys strap their pencil thin barreled factory files into this thing, putting pressure down on the barrel and proceed to fire an entire box of ammo as fast as they can spot their hits at 100 yards. All the time their buddy calling out to them "oh that was close move it up, move it left". Then when they have achieved the magic 1MOA grouping they pack it up and leave. Then another guy unpacks his stuff and starts it again. This guy doesn't get it either "it was zeroed the last time I Shot it" I must have heard it 3 times in the 2 hours I was there.

I just want to scream and tell them what the heck are you doing man, but then I look like a know it all jerk (I only want to sound like that here). I have tried a few times to offer some advice to guys when they start asking me about what I am doing. They always seam offended, but hay they asked right. So I really don't understand how they think the lead sled is helping them. I know not my business right, but they are shooting at the same deer I am and most likely not very well. It gives us a bad name when Bambi runs out to the school yard riddled with bullets.

So I ranted a bit, when your at the range do you try and help guys out? Do they ever listen? Do you see the lead sled in your area.

 

[wyomingblizzard]

Every year I see the led sleds come out in force just before hunting seson. Most of the "shooters" I see useing them are the kind that only shoot once a year. Many act afraid of there rifles and think a 4" group at 100 yards is a good group. I have learned to keep my mouth shut and hope I m hunting in a differnt area than they are. I will only offer advice if asked and then I m careful of what I say to a strange shooter. Now my usual shooting buddies and my self probably give each other too much advice, especially if were trying to get in each others heads lol. It seems that when our local range has its free "sight in" days every fall, alot of strange and wierd things show them self.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Every year I see the led sleds come out in force just before hunting seson. Most of the "shooters" I see useing them are the kind that only shoot once a year. Many act afraid of there rifles and think a 4" group at 100 yards is a good group. I have learned to keep my mouth shut and hope I m hunting in a differnt area than they are. I will only offer advice if asked and then I m careful of what I say to a strange shooter. Now my usual shooting buddies and my self probably give each other too much advice, especially if were trying to get in each others heads lol. It seems that when our local range has its free "sight in" days every fall, alot of strange and wierd things show them self.

Ok I guess Its the same for me, I don't offer it unless they ask most of the time. I agree with everything you said, I like the part about your buddy's and to much advice.

 

[Browninglover1]

I have seen Lead Sleds used wisely a few times. I met an old guy (75+) that just had shoulder surgery and the led sled let him shoot his 243 while he was still healing up. He didn't strap the gun down, but used the weight of the sled to absorb almost all the recoil.

I do get a good laugh at the guys who use the Sleds like you described.

The only thing I hate worse than the Lead Sled guys are the 338 Lapua and 50 BMG guys that only bought the rifles because they think they'll make them great shots. I had a guy shooting his Lapua next to me at the range that wasn't even hitting the target at 300 yards. He finally managed to hit the bottom of the cardboard after 4 or 5 shots. He proceeded to tell me that the reason he was hitting low was because he was sighted in "dead on at 500" hahaha

 

[SidecarFlip]

I'm probably gonna get some flak for this (not from you huys but from someone else) reading this post.....

I'm totally against the Caldwell (or any manufacturer for that matter) of a restraint to mount a rifle (or pistol) in/on for that matter.....

Foremost, it's death on a firearm because it constrains recoil and makes the firearm absorb it (along with the restraint itself). Firearms are meant cycle with recoil. it's Newton's law. Restraint means the weakest component eventually fails.

Secondly, it does nothing to improve shooting posture or form and certainly does nothing to improve a poor shooter or instill confidence against recoil flinch.

I see them at our range all the time and I keep my mouth shut because, it's not mine and it's not my rifle or pistol thats being tortured.

We actually have some idiots that resort to a remote trigger pull on a sled so as to remove any human intervention. Pretty sad IMO.

Having said all that, I will use an MTM front rest (in lieu of a bipod) and rear bag when sighting in, if the bench is uncomfortable for me and I can't shoot prone, which I can't do at our club.

Just my 2 cents....

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Sidecarflip

I never thought of damage to the weapons system, very interesting points you have made.

Browninglover
Not a lot of 50 bmg and 338 lapua where I do my load work but I can see your point.

 

[SidecarFlip]

I have seen Lead Sleds used wisely a few times. I met an old guy (75+) that just had shoulder surgery and the led sled let him shoot his 243 while he was still healing up. He didn't strap the gun down, but used the weight of the sled to absorb almost all the recoil.

I do get a good laugh at the guys who use the Sleds like you described.

The only thing I hate worse than the Lead Sled guys are the 338 Lapua and 50 BMG guys that only bought the rifles because they think they'll make them great shots. I had a guy shooting his Lapua next to me at the range that wasn't even hitting the target at 300 yards. He finally managed to hit the bottom of the cardboard after 4 or 5 shots. He proceeded to tell me that the reason he was hitting low was because he was sighted in "dead on at 500" hahaha

I could take offense to that because I have them both but what makrs a good shooter is practice and consistency, not the caliber.

Having said that, a 338 caliber or a 50 cal makes a lot bigger hole than a 17.

None of my rifles have ever seen a sled, not even the cannons.

 

[Browninglover1]

I could take offense to that because I have them both but what makrs a good shooter is practice and consistency, not the caliber.

Having said that, a 338 caliber or a 50 cal makes a lot bigger hole than a 17.

None of my rifles have ever seen a sled, not even the cannons.

I figure the people on this site wouldn't take offense to that comment because they actually know how to use them! The guy that can't hit the target at all at 300 yards with his 338 is just a walking joke! I will join the 338 club one day, but not till I've outgrown my 6.5 and 30 calibers....

 

[barnesuser28]

I could take offense to that because I have them both but what makrs a good shooter is practice and consistency, not the caliber.

Having said that, a 338 caliber or a 50 cal makes a lot bigger hole than a 17.

None of my rifles have ever seen a sled, not even the cannons.

The only time we use our lead sled is when we have to break in the barrel on a heavy kicker, like our 7 lbs unbraked 300 Rum and the 338 Lapua.

 

[J E Custom]

I use a led sled a lot as a tool for test firing a new rifle with a "Blue Pill" for safety, when cleaning
they work well also.

I like to use one for bore sighting instead of sticking something down the barrel muzzle when
installing/mounting a scope because I can usually get within 3 or 4" of the zero on the first
shot and save time and ammo.

They are great for brake in when you are not so worried about grouping just shoot and clean.

At the range they make a fairly good gun vice to do some minor adjustments or re torquing

But when sighting in or verifying zeros on hunting rifles/pistols I like to use sand bags and try
to replicate real world hunting conditions so the rifles performs the same in the field as at the
range.

On Pistols I don't even attempt to use a sled, just the sand bags

It's a great tool but it is no substitute for practice and skill.

Just my opinion.

J E CUSTOM

 

[SidecarFlip]

Good opinion JE, IMO. I'm old school, boresighting with the bolt out at a spot on the wall, secured in the Tipton of course.


My comment about joining thr 338 club or in my case the 338/50 club is I did it because I'm retired and I can afford it. The kids are gone and being an empty nester, toys are obtainable now that weren't when the kids were draining the wallet.

Not really a 'club'. More like a financial burden.

....No offense to our resident 14 year old...........

 

[barnesuser28]

Good opinion JE, IMO. I'm old school, boresighting with the bolt out at a spot on the wall, secured in the Tipton of course.


My comment about joining thr 338 club or in my case the 338/50 club is I did it because I'm retired and I can afford it. The kids are gone and being an empty nester, toys are obtainable now that weren't when the kids were draining the wallet.

Not really a 'club'. More like a financial burden.

....No offense to our resident 14 year old...........

None taken. gun)

 

[barnesuser28]

I use a led sled a lot as a tool for test firing a new rifle with a "Blue Pill" for safety, when cleaning
they work well also.

I like to use one for bore sighting instead of sticking something down the barrel muzzle when
installing/mounting a scope because I can usually get within 3 or 4" of the zero on the first
shot and save time and ammo.

They are great for brake in when you are not so worried about grouping just shoot and clean.

At the range they make a fairly good gun vice to do some minor adjustments or re torquing

But when sighting in or verifying zeros on hunting rifles/pistols I like to use sand bags and try
to replicate real world hunting conditions so the rifles performs the same in the field as at the
range.

On Pistols I don't even attempt to use a sled, just the sand bags

It's a great tool but it is no substitute for practice and skill.

Just my opinion.

J E CUSTOM

J E CUSTOM did you see my question on your thread about your muzzle brake?

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I use a led sled a lot as a tool for test firing a new rifle with a "Blue Pill" for safety, when cleaning
they work well also.

I like to use one for bore sighting instead of sticking something down the barrel muzzle when
installing/mounting a scope because I can usually get within 3 or 4" of the zero on the first
shot and save time and ammo.

They are great for brake in when you are not so worried about grouping just shoot and clean.

At the range they make a fairly good gun vice to do some minor adjustments or re torquing

But when sighting in or verifying zeros on hunting rifles/pistols I like to use sand bags and try
to replicate real world hunting conditions so the rifles performs the same in the field as at the
range.

On Pistols I don't even attempt to use a sled, just the sand bags

It's a great tool but it is no substitute for practice and skill.

Just my opinion.

J E CUSTOM

Good points, I can see using one in that manner for sure but not as these guys do.