Lead sled accuracy problems?

[fatelk]

I know it's hard to diagnose a problem with second-hand info, but has anyone had any accuracy problems using a lead sled?

A friend had been telling for some time now how his really nice Winchester model 70 in .300 mag just wouldn't shoot better than about 3moa, and he's been trying to figure out what's wrong with it. I know that he knows how to shoot better than that.

He called me today to say that he had figured it out. He had been using a lead sled, then went to sandbags and the accuracy went from 3moa to better than 1moa. I told him I thought that if he was holding it right it shouldn't matter, but I have never used a lead sled either.

Any ideas?

 

[dakotasin]

the lead sled is very unforgiving of pressure changes in how you hold the gun, and put your cheek on the stock.

i've had very good luck w/ them for accuracy purposes, but the key is to have as close to zero pressure as possible.

 

[armoredman]

Never even heard of it, other than the nickname for an F105 Starfighter.

 

[GooseGestapo]

The lead-sled wasn't a "Starfighter", the Lead-sled, was the "Thunderchief";
The "Starfighter" was the F104, not a lead-sled version in the slightest. The W.German "Luftwaffe" version was only bested by the F15 in the role it played for NATO. Even then, it was a close contest.

The F105 designation was of course correct for the "Thunderchief".

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

So anyhoo..... no, never heard of it. I get better accuracy with the lead sled than with sandbags, simply because it's more stable. Now as for point of impact changing going from LS to field or sandbags, that's a different story, and a can of worms. I use the lead sled for precision testing of the gear. Then go to sandbags when ready to ZERO for the field.

 

[Runningman]

Don't know the answer. All I can say from my experience I shot from a regular bench rest style shooting rest for decades. A few years ago my local shooting range got some lead sleds for use. I tried them a few times and could not get used to them. My groups were smaller constantly the old way for me but there was not 2 moa difference.

 

[Acera]

It may relate to different distance and angle on the scope. If he is not getting the same consistent cheek weld, he could be not replicating the exact sight picture and causing deviation.

Check and see if the sled is causing any stress to the stock that is transferred to the barrel or action. Extra pressure on the rear stock should not have any effect. Extra pressure on the front of the stock might cause the problem.

 

[Smith357]

I used a lead sled once, way to wobbly for my tastes. For load development and sight ins I prefer a Caldwell Rock and Protektor Bunny Ear rear bag I have filled with #8 shot and lubed with talc to let the rifle slide easily in the rest.

 

[armoredman]

Thanks GG, been a while since I'd looked up either one. Both were out of service long before I put on a uniform.

 

[torpedoman]

you guys are very young if you dont know that a lead sled is a hotrod with all the chrome stripped off and the holes leaded in to cover them. as for the rifle rest you need to strap the gun down real good and tight to the rear and it is a fine tool to put a scope on target and to see how good the gun is capable of shooting.

 

[armoredman]

torpedoman, I wasn't hatched yet in the 50s.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I have no clue what kinda stuff y'all are talking about (the cars and planes) 'cause I was born in '93, man, y'all make me fell YOUNG!!!!!