Which gun rest for testing loads

[Ehgbyf]

I am looking to buy a gun rest for use while I am testing loads and sighting in my rifle. I was looking at the lead sled and was going to see what everybody thought.

Will it hurt a 300 wby to be tied down and shot through that rest?

Thanks

 

[DrMike]

The Lead Sled does tame recoil at the bench. The tradeoff is that it stresses the scope mounting system, and can stress the scope itself. I prefer sand bags or the Bulls Bag system.

 

[joelkdouglas]

I use a Caldwell Rock front rest and an Edgewood rear bag. Edgewood makes very good bags.

The Caldwell isn't the best made, but gets the job done.

I wouldn't personally use a lead sled--I've heard too many stories about broken or rubbed stocks or scopes.

 

[Ehgbyf]

Does the bulls bag system keep the rifle steady?

 

[nosler06]

I will have to see if I can find the post that I read where someone shot a Weatherby in a lead sled and the stock fractured as well as the scope had moved in the mounts. I will always just use sand bags. Once rifle has been sighted in then I will shot in all different positions to simulate hunting scenarios. That way I will be ready for what I am using my rifle for.

 

[nosler06]

Search up "Rifle damage using Lead Sleds" under rifles and have a read.

 

[Sas874runner]

I use a stoney point shooting rest. They are no longer made but cabelas use to all them as well. The lead sleds are bulky and hard to get a good check weld and comfortable position. Of the stocks I have seen damaged on lead sleds and shooting rests are the people who want to feel zero recoil. They will load their lead sleds woth 100# weights and then strap them to the bench as well... if the stock absorbs all the recoil something is gonna give.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I use a Caldwell front machine rest and an Edgewood Mitigator rear bag for range accuracy testing. I will not use a lead sled in any case. My rifle stocks and scopes are too expensive to take a chance of trashing them with a sled. Besides proving the rifle is more accurate then I am doesn't mean anything if I can't shoot it to its potential.

 

[nosler06]

I use a Caldwell front machine rest and an Edgewood Mitigator rear bag for ranch testing. I will not use a lead sled in any case. My rifle stocks and scopes are too expensive to take a chance of trashing them with a sled. Besides proving the rifle is more accurate then I am doesn't mean anything if I can't shoot it to its potential.

I really like your way of thinking. Any gun when harnessed down can most likely shoot better than I will ever be able to shoot it from any sandbag rest. Like you say a rifle that I am not able to handle and shoot with full comfort and confidence will not be in my safe. I think it will be very hard for most hunters to pack a lead sled around for a days hunt. LOL.

 

[hubcap]

I also use a caldwell rock. It adjust up and down which is nice for moving the muzzle up or down. Sand bag in the rear. The rock works pretty well, however after trying a friends bull bag I want one. I,m with OT-3 on the lead sled. No way I would use one.

 

[Vince]

I use sandbags.
Seen a Lead Sled ruin a gun so I opt not to even own one. If I can't position it on sandbags and shoot it I don't need to be shooting it. Also, everyone is built different and sighting in using a sled doesn't mean your sighted in when you're in a field position.
Sight in from your most likely shooting position in the field and then know your POA/POI changes from different positions.

 

[wildgene]

...I prefer Bull Bags, they're a lot more versatile & almost a stable as a good ($300-600) bench rest used w/ a rear bag...


...works good enough to check a 200yd. "zero"...

 

[Ehgbyf]

What kind of rear bag are you using above?

 

[laylandad]

Another vote for the Bull's Bag.

 

[JD338]

Ehgbyf,

Welcome to the forum.

The BullsBag is the way to go.
I have been using the System 7 bag with excellent results and have no problems shooting steel at 800 yds with my 338 RUM.

I also use it for crop damage deer hunting and we have made plenty of one shot kills off the System 7 bag.

JD338

 

[wildgene]

What kind of rear bag are you using above?

...a cheap Caldwell rear bag, I do fill my bags w/ blasting sand, heavy, but they tend to hold better...

 

[kraky]

I use a leadsled w/no problems but I do not weigh it down or strap a gun in it. I've never had a scope move in the mounts or had a scope failure let alone a stock problem.
That said I've never seen nothing but praise for the bull bags.

 

[Charlie-NY]

JD

Do you use a rear bag with that system 7 bag?

Ehgbyf,

Welcome to the forum.

The BullsBag is the way to go.
I have been using the System 7 bag with excellent results and have no problems shooting steel at 800 yds with my 338 RUM.

I also use it for crop damage deer hunting and we have made plenty of one shot kills off the System 7 bag.

JD338

 

[JD338]

Charlie,

Yes, I use a rear bag as you can see on the hood of the truck.
It is rock solid and steady and I have shot under MOA at 800 yds with this set up.

JD338

 

[Woodycreek]

X7 Bulls Bag