Lead Sled Modification Proposal... Any Thoughts?

[Herd_Bull]

I’ve read all the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to lead sleds over the years. I know there’s both lovers and haters. I used to use one with slug guns. Started using one with magnum centerfire rifles years ago and some seemed to work with it and others didn’t like it. I eventually removed everything I could and never added any weight. I also installed Teflon furniture sliders to the base of the 3 legs to help it slide better on the bench. I played around with it again recently during load development for a buddy’s stock 300win mag and it performed well. No shift in POI from the sled to the shoulder. I have an older Lead Sled Plus model.

I usually shoot off bags but I got to thinking… the sled is so convenient to just toss in the truck and toss on the bench… what if I further modified it and cut the back of the rear bracket (the butt stock stop) out so the stock is against the shooter’s shoulder and shot it that way? The rear bracket would turn into a yoke of sorts to just make sure the rifle could be left in the sled and not tip over and all recoil would be off the shoulder and nothing against the sled. A small rear sand bag/support could even be added under the butt stock in the middle of the yoke??

Has anybody done this or heard of it being done? Good/bad experience? Does anybody see issues with it? It would seem to negate the 2 biggest issues with sleds (1) hard on equipment and (2) shifting POI from sled to shoulder.

The sled is just so easy to toss on the bench and very convenient.

 

[Herd_Bull]

It would essentially be a lower grade of a single piece rest like this:

Rifle Rests | TargetShooting.com - Improving Accuracy since 1995

TargetShooting.com features all of the best rifle rests and top target shooting products made in the heartland of the U.S.A, Watertown, SD. Improving Shooting Accuracy since 1995

targetshooting.com

 

[DShortt]

I bought a Hyskore dual dampener shooting rest a few years ago intending to make a custom stock and use it for an accuracy checking platform with Savage barrels and an Axis action. Had some health issues and upheaval in my personal life and haven't ever put it together to test my idea but I've still got all the major pieces.
Anyway, my thinking was the equipment abuse would be minimized and a scope could be mounted to check the POA after each shot.
A different way to skin the cat.

 

[STORM2]

Thanks for the ideas. While searching /cleaning I was reminded I own one and never use it. I think I’ll cycle it back in service. I’ll be watching this thread for ideas to try. My issue was it was awkward to wrap my body around the rifle and sled.

 

[Bill Clifton]

Using it that way would be no better but still take up more room than a good yet simple front rest like a Caldwell BR and good rear bag from Edgewood or others.

 

[Herd_Bull]

Thanks for the ideas. While searching /cleaning I was reminded I own one and never use it. I think I’ll cycle it back in service. I’ll be watching this thread for ideas to try. My issue was it was awkward to wrap my body around the rifle and sled.

Maybe I'm the odd one, but I fund shooting off a sled to be very comfortable for me. I'm tall and have a long neck. Most benches are short and when I shoot off a front rest/bipod with a standard sized rear bag I usually have to lean down so much and cram myself into position. The sled allows me to sit up higher and I shoot better. Maybe I could look into a taller rear bag, but not sure if a 5-6" rear bag would be any more accurate than a sled??

 

[Herd_Bull]

Using it that way would be no better but still take up more room than a good yet simple front rest like a Caldwell BR and good rear bag from Edgewood or others.

I actually prefer the height of the sled for long range sessions. Agreed, closer to the ground/bench one can get the more stable the platform will be but comfort is a factor for me too.

 

[Herd_Bull]

Has anybody used the full length Fire Control rest from Caldwell? It's like a sled but without a stop on the butt stock. Something like this should negate the 2 big cons of using the sled...?

Fire Control Full-length Rest | Caldwell

Fire Control Full-length Rest

www.caldwellshooting.com

 

[Pyscodog]

Personally I don't care for them but I see them used a lot. I'm not a large person and getting comfortable is near impossible off a bench as it makes me almost shoot off my knees. I use an old Wichita and a rear rest or a bull bag in front and a rear rest.