Caldwell shooting rests

Status
Not open for further replies.
stinger 327

stinger 327

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2009
Messages
3,204
Caldwell sells several models (Lead Sled of these where you place your rifle in to shoot/sight in your rifle). One model has a slot on the bottom where you can place 2 -25 lb. barbell weights to hold everything down but if your rifle is an AR-15 it won't work because of magazine.
Does anyone out there have one of these Caldwell shooting rests/models and can recommend which model to get?
Pros and Cons of each model?
Which model if it exists that you can use an AR-15?
 
Hard pass on all of the Caldwell rests. You get what you pay for, and if you can’t pay much, I honestly think you get more for your money with bags or bipods. If you want a relatively affordable, quality front rest, pick up a Bald Eagle through Grizzly, or a Sinclair from Brownells.

I have a couple Rock BR’s and have had a Leadsled. One of my Rock BR’s had the elevator column machined incorrectly so the head was crooked, which they replaced, but the windage adjustment is too stiff and too sloppy to be used AT ALL on both of them. The elevation control is really sloppy, and the course adjustment bearing isn’t great - lots of run out, lots of wobble. If you lock it down like a Rock, then it’s only a little more handy than simply using an actual rock...

If your expectations are low, then it’s hard to be disappointed, but if you’re expecting a really functional shooting support, spend that $100 on a Harris Bipod and a rear sock, you’ll be as stable as on a Caldwell rest.
 
I think the biggest value for the lead sled is the people trying to sight in really high power safari guns and not getting beat up while doing it...

Mark
 
stinger 327 said:
Caldwell sells several models (Lead Sled of these where you place your rifle in to shoot/sight in your rifle). One model has a slot on the bottom where you can place 2 -25 lb. barbell weights to hold everything down but if your rifle is an AR-15 it won't work because of magazine.
Click to expand...
With a high rear bag 20 rounders and under will work. 10 rounders with a lo/medium height bag.

No, the Caldwell isn't great, but they work. The Bald Eagle from Grizzly that VT mentioned is an extremely good value and a quality rest. You'll never be sorry if you spend the extra cash to get one vs the Caldwell.
 
I found a picture online of the Caldwell DFT 2 with an AR in it. It sure looks like (if you put the weight toward the front of that bottom tray) there's enough room to get the mag out. And a 10 rnd mag would be a piece of cake.
https://www.ammoland.com/2017/05/caldwell-lead-sled-dft-review/#axzz5SzQxGt5U

You're getting some advice you didn't ask for - but I'll keep going anyway. :) Are you wanting to use the Lead Sled for sighting in or recoil protection? (Or maybe both as an earlier reply stated when folks are sighting in big cannons.) For a while I was seriously considering a lead sled to have for sighting in and working up loads for my guns. I decided to not go that route because I wondered to what degree the "whole system" (including me) would perform differently between the sled and shooting normally off the bench. I figured it was best to test and sight in using the method I was going to be shooting once those tasks were done.

So I got a Bald Eagle rest and a good standard rear bag and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. And I put in effort (and continue to do so) on good, consistent technique. The good front rest makes final, very precise target adjustments so blasted easy. I do all of my bench shooting with it. And when it's with an AR I use 10 round mags.

OR
 
I stick with the one I recommended. For the AR you're merely looking for a rest, nothing else. Adjustable elevation, adjustable "rest", levelers, well made, light enough to tote. Mine is very sturdy, no wobble, no negatives. Highly recommend.
 
My experience was a buddy who wanted me to help him sight in his rifle because he didn't want to get beat up in the process. I wasn't thrilled and told him to own his experience... Yeah, breaking a nice stock would be no bueno...

Mark
 
I own a Caldwell Full Length Fire Control Rest. It doesn’t offer any recoil reduction but because of that it doesn’t break scopes or stocks. Also since the buttstock is against your shoulder when using it there is no POI shift when you shoot without it. I like mine, the joystick is nice and speeds up the sighting in process. If I had a do over I’d just purchase the Front Rest.

I bought two five round magazines to use when sighting in my AR, the rest works fine and dandy when using a five round magazine.
 
or this one:
Caldwell Lead Sled DFT 2 Adjustable Ambidextrous Recoil Reducing Rifle Shooting Rest for Outdoor Range for $209.99.
7192ctuUjGL._SL1500_.jpg
 
I had built this one.



Then quickly realized it didn’t work well with everything, so I made it with two sections of bar stock vs one and there is room for mags and pistol grips.

6AAAB402-3C3E-456E-9B47-9780AEC120C1.jpeg


I know of no other way to zero a rifle faster or more accurately. This is what it looks like.

 
I have the Rock BR rest and I find it perfect for target work at the range with my Howa 1500. There are quite a few adjustments on it, but once you have it dialed in, it'll hold your rifle still. Or, you can pay $550 for a Sinclair....
 
otisrush said:
I found a picture online of the Caldwell DFT 2 with an AR in it. It sure looks like (if you put the weight toward the front of that bottom tray) there's enough room to get the mag out. And a 10 rnd mag would be a piece of cake.
https://www.ammoland.com/2017/05/caldwell-lead-sled-dft-review/#axzz5SzQxGt5U

You're getting some advice you didn't ask for - but I'll keep going anyway. :) Are you wanting to use the Lead Sled for sighting in or recoil protection? (Or maybe both as an earlier reply stated when folks are sighting in big cannons.) For a while I was seriously considering a lead sled to have for sighting in and working up loads for my guns. I decided to not go that route because I wondered to what degree the "whole system" (including me) would perform differently between the sled and shooting normally off the bench. I figured it was best to test and sight in using the method I was going to be shooting once those tasks were done.

So I got a Bald Eagle rest and a good standard rear bag and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. And I put in effort (and continue to do so) on good, consistent technique. The good front rest makes final, very precise target adjustments so blasted easy. I do all of my bench shooting with it. And when it's with an AR I use 10 round mags.

OR
Click to expand...
fOR BOTH sighting in and recoil protection.
 
I only called out the $320 on the Sinclair because someone above stated $550.

But if money is the name of the game - Only $140 for the aluminum Bald Eagle, $170 for the windage model, $200 for the steel. No excuse to buy a sub-quality Rock BR. The windage on the BE will actually work for you, the Rock BR’s windage tips have WAY too much slop in the drive, and both of mine have been too stiff for real use.

A Harris bipod is more robust for $100 than a $130 Rock BR. I (regrettably) still own two for use in rifle classes, working on replacing them in time with Bald Eagles.

Caldwell does make some decent, low cost gear. Honestly, their Harris knock off bipods or their X bags are better rests than any of their machine rests, for the money. For the money, the non-windage Caldwell Rock Dlx or JR are just as good for an average joe as the BR model. The BR looks like it’s a better piece, and it is supposed to be, but it’s really, really not. The production quality of the windage top isn’t there, so it’s no better than a non-windage top. Save the $50 on the price difference.

Pads and good technique offer recoil protection. I don’t care what brand, the Leadsled principle is flawed. Bad velocities, bad zeroes, risk of damage to the rifle... nothing good to say about a partial firing fixture for a field rifle.
 
Citadel99 said:
I think the biggest value for the lead sled is the people trying to sight in really high power safari guns and not getting beat up while doing it...

Mark
Click to expand...
That's why I first tried one.
Years ago I tried the Caldwell for initially sighting in my heavy hunting rifles. It was fine as far as that goes but I found out way back when that my POI changed when going from a sled to supporting the front of the rifle on a rest and using my shoulder. In other words, my POI changed by as much as 1-2 MOA and more when I shot the rifle as I would in the field. So as a result I always fine tune my zero as I would actually expect to be shooting the rifle. I am assuming that this is due to the differences in the surface contacting the butt of the rifle (sled vs. shoulder) which therefore changes the physics of the rifle. Try putting your big bore wooden stocked rifle butt up against a concrete wall and firing it a few times to see what I mean. NO DON'T REALLY DO THIS! :what:

I also see the same outcome when I shoot my match service rifle from a bench vs. a slung-in prone position. But there you have all kinds of additional interactions with the sling. For example, my bench elevation is +16 1/4 min. clicks and the slung-in prone position is +28 1/4 min. clicks. In fact I have a slightly different starting sighter zero for each shooting position.

Again, I strongly suggest zeroing the rifle the way you will actually be using it. For hunting, at least for me, that's potentially : offhand, prone, kneeling, seated. Hey those are the same positions I use in competition!!! Also when hunting I'll use a natural or bipod rest if it's available. In fact, we were REQUIRED to use shooting sticks by our guide when hunting in Africa and practiced with them before the trip.

Good luck!
 
Varminterror said:
I only called out the $320 on the Sinclair because someone above stated $550.

But if money is the name of the game - Only $140 for the aluminum Bald Eagle, $170 for the windage model, $200 for the steel. No excuse to buy a sub-quality Rock BR. The windage on the BE will actually work for you, the Rock BR’s windage tips have WAY too much slop in the drive, and both of mine have been too stiff for real use.

A Harris bipod is more robust for $100 than a $130 Rock BR. I (regrettably) still own two for use in rifle classes, working on replacing them in time with Bald Eagles.

Caldwell does make some decent, low cost gear. Honestly, their Harris knock off bipods or their X bags are better rests than any of their machine rests, for the money. For the money, the non-windage Caldwell Rock Dlx or JR are just as good for an average joe as the BR model. The BR looks like it’s a better piece, and it is supposed to be, but it’s really, really not. The production quality of the windage top isn’t there, so it’s no better than a non-windage top. Save the $50 on the price difference.

Pads and good technique offer recoil protection. I don’t care what brand, the Leadsled principle is flawed. Bad velocities, bad zeroes, risk of damage to the rifle... nothing good to say about a partial firing fixture for a field rifle.
Click to expand...

That cost too much keep it to 100 - 200.
 
stinger 327 said:
That cost too much keep it to 100 - 200.
Click to expand...

Reading can be tricky sometimes. I offered multiple options in the $100-200 range of better quality than the Rock BR, or equal quality at a lower cost.

Varminterror said:
But if money is the name of the game - Only $140 for the aluminum Bald Eagle, $170 for the windage model, $200 for the steel. No excuse to buy a sub-quality Rock BR. The windage on the BE will actually work for you, the Rock BR’s windage tips have WAY too much slop in the drive, and both of mine have been too stiff for real use.

A Harris bipod is more robust for $100 than a $130 Rock BR. I (regrettably) still own two for use in rifle classes, working on replacing them in time with Bald Eagles.

Caldwell does make some decent, low cost gear. Honestly, their Harris knock off bipods or their X bags are better rests than any of their machine rests, for the money. For the money, the non-windage Caldwell Rock Dlx or JR are just as good for an average joe as the BR model. The BR looks like it’s a better piece, and it is supposed to be, but it’s really, really not. The production quality of the windage top isn’t there, so it’s no better than a non-windage top. Save the $50 on the price difference.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
what rifle rest?
Replies
13
Views
1K
jmorris
jmorris
KYregular
  • Locked
shooting rest
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
sparkyv
sparkyv
M
  • Locked
Lead sled worth it?
2
Replies
38
Views
1K
chickasaw_hunter
chickasaw_hunter
LiveLife
  • Locked
MidwayUSA Memorial Day Sale
Replies
4
Views
788
Walkalong
Walkalong
BigBL87
  • Locked
Lead sled vs. Bags vs. Tripod vs. ?
Replies
21
Views
2K
DMW1116
D
Back
Top