Thread: Sighting in rifle using a Calwell Lead Sled Solo

I would be delighted to have a lead sled for load development work. There is no law that says that you have to use the whole 40lb's of lead. Just weight it enough to tame the rifle. I have used one firing a 375 Snipetac ( 350 gr bullet and 140 gr Retumbo @3200 ) and was grateful for it

Originally Posted by Trout

Left hand not touching rifle.

Obviously a fairly hefty set up you have there (compared to mine - Kimber Montana 300WSM). Curious if you would you use the same technique for a lightweight magnum calibre rifle?

The 300 has a 26 inch barrel,but its fairly light to carry around.
I mainly hunt with a tika308,suppressed.
Iv sighted in a 308,270, 222,22 and soon a 243 sako finnlight.
Sight everything off the bonnect resting on a cushion.Cushion the secret,just nutralizes the recoil bounce about 90%.

It doesn't really matter how you hold the rifle within reason. It is more important that are consistent with what you do each time. Generally if you sight in on a sled or holding the for end then shoot unsupported you will shoot a little higher

Originally Posted by mimms2

Jesus, that's a can! only... .300 doesn't recoil much, ya wuss.
At least you have the correct brand of vehicle...even if it is a bit young yet.

Recoil doesnt bother my 1.9mtr,135kgs.
Nothing wuss about looking after your hearing you deaf buggar.

Just need to call this. Two shots is not a group.

They are both nice and close to the aim point - its more of a really good cold bore shot (x2).

Kimber, are you shooting a kimber 7mm08 ? Ive fired my mates one and its a kick-deamon. Not super accurate either, although good enough for deer. It may not be all you.

As far as zero goes, try it and find out if your own zero is the same with unsupported prone, bipod or over a tree trunk using correct hand technique. My 7mm08 does it. Has a standard weight non pencil barrel. Groups are bigger with other methods and smallest with a caldwell junior front rest and protector bunny ear rear sandbag. Groups are so much larger with hunting shooting gear/methods i couldnt really say the zero is different. I cant say i know about putting velcro over the barrel ... nathan foster recommends trying shooting with your hand on top of the scope to hold it down.

Oh and do use 5 shot groups and a few of them if you want to know the truth.

Yes, it's a Kimber Montana 7mm-08. Usually I'm going for 3 shot groups, and for what ever reason find longer distances easier perhaps because there is less pressure to hit a defined target as opposed to a steel gong? Went out on Sunday and had some consistency at 300 and 400m with my bipod and a rear sandbag. Group 1 is First 4 shots at 300m, then adjusted to 2 clicks left for 3 shot group for group 2. Group 3 is no further correction, just smaller gong. The Orange arrow points to my 7 year old firing the rifle for the first time (aided by the lead sled) - both he and I were both chuffed with his shot!

Yr young boy will never forget that.

Cant complain about that shooting !
Was that the same sight setting as off the led sled ?

Originally Posted by Bagheera

Cant complain about that shooting !
Was that the same sight setting as off the led sled ?

Thanks, I know it's not the clover leaf groupings of many on this forum! I'll get there one day I guess...

As for differences between lead sled and this round, it was the same elevation at 300m, but two clicks left. At 400m I actually came down two clicks on my ballistic turret setting. I know I can improve on the groupings but at this stage (and this close to the Roar) I'm sticking with my factory ammo of choice/availability, which seems to be about 1MOA - 3/4 MOA at 100m when I absolutely do my bit (consistently). I will be back up to the range and take my sweet time with the next lot of shots as the barrel certainly heats up quickly. Shooting on a blazing afternoon in Central Otago is also not conducive to being cool, calm and collected. Perhaps I'll try early morning or in the evening.

After the roar I'll start my next project being a 300WSM Montana....

Those groups at 300 400mtrs,they will be close enough at 100 200mtrs for a deer.