sighting in a gun from fixed rest(leadsled) or just off standard rest or sand ba

[TONYSCOTT]

MY QUESTION IS. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR ACTUAL DEAD CENTER WHEN SIGHTING IN A RIFLE SAY FROM A DEADSLED WHERE YOU REALLY DONT HAVE CONTACT WITH THE GUN AGAINST YOUR SHOULDER AND THE ANGLE AND DISTANCE WILL BE DIFFERENT WHEN SAY JUST RESTING THE GUN ON A WINDOW LEDGE OF A DEER BLIND WHERE YOU ARE HOLDING THE GUN AGAINST YOUR SHOULDER AND IN A ACTUAL HUNTING SITUATION.I SHOOT EVERY SUNDAY AT LOCAL GUN RANGE (100 YARDS) WITH MOSTLY BOLT ACTION RIFLES RANGING FROM 223 TO 30-378 ALL SCOPED.I WORRY BECAUSE OF THE ACTUAL WAY I HOLD THE GUN IN A REAL LIFE HUNTING SITUATION AND SIGHTING IT IN AT THE RANGE ARE TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT THINGS COMPLETELY.I LIKE THE DEADSLED BECAUSE SOME OF MY RIFLES HAVE ALOT OF RECOIL AND YOU CAN SIGHT A GUN IN SO PRECISE USING IT. I JUST WANT TO BE SURE DEAD CENTER IS DEAD CENTER EITHER
SHOOTING FROM A REST OR FREEHAND SAY OFF A WINDOW LEDGE OR SAND BAG.

 

[BoydAllen]

I would say that there is, but why don't you just do a test?

 

[drano38]

Tony,
I develop loads using a rest, but sight in for hunting the way I plan to shoot in the field, generally with shooting sticks, and at the actual sight in distance, which is 200 yards for me.
Yes, the point of impact will most likely be different from a rest vs holding the gun.
I agree w/ Boyd, try both and see.
Also, please don't use ALL CAPS when typing, its hard to read, and is generally interpreted as shouting on most forums.
Welcome to the forums, and good luck.

 

[Rust]

There will very likely be a difference in point of impact and maybe even group size between a lead sled and a front rest/bag. All in how the recoil is handled. I believe the front rest/bag combination would give closer to real world (field shooting) information.

And yeah, I have a few big magnums. They all get sighted in off a rest/bag combo.

 

[eagleI]

Had a .308 punching out little 1/4" sticker dots at 100yds off the bags and went to the ground off my bipod and was low and left. Just sighted back in and all was good. I always shoot off sticks when hunting around here or off limbs and such when standing as prone in the east is rare. I sight in off sticks and kill what I aim at. Works great.

 

[SS427]

I find I get vertical when using a similar device called a Benchmaster rest, with the shots going higher than when I shoot off of a two piece rest or off the sticks. Not a lot though with a .270 Win....maybe an inch at the most. With the lighter calibers with less recoil I don't find much difference. I suspect more recoil would cause more change in impact, but never have experimented with it.

 

[Dgd6mm]

David Tubbs addresses this topic in one of his video's. Sight the rifle in as if you were holding it in a hunting situation, his is on bags and he holds the forearm.

 

[squirrelduster]

I would believe your group size could easily change using the dead sled.
I would like to see what happens when a great shooting 300 mag or other heavier kicker. I would bet your load could change. When you hold the rifle different the group changes in both size and location so why wouldn't the best load also change?
When you add weight to the barrel as in a muzzle brake or tuner your load will change so if your recoil pattern changes why wouldn't the best load also change?
Any body have one that they could do some testing with?

 

[oneflyer]

Sorry but sighting in is sighting in. If you zero your rifle at the range using a lead sled then the rifle is sighted in under ideal conditions. If your rifle shoots differently when you shoot it, its the way the rifle is held. Trying to change loads, etc, etc,etc is chasing futility.

 

[Rust]

Sorry but sighting in is sighting in. If you zero your rifle at the range using a lead sled then the rifle is sighted in under ideal conditions. If your rifle shoots differently when you shoot it, its the way the rifle is held. Trying to change loads, etc, etc,etc is chasing futility.

Exactly. Which is why my competition rifles are sighted in for the manner in which I'll be shooting them. My F rifles print differently from the prone on a bipod compared to off the bench and a rest, considering the difference in position and handling recoil getting down behind a rifle, it's to be expected. Not much of a difference, but one that when taken into account means a few more points.

The main consideration is that the hold be very consistant from shot to shot however you sight in.