|
|
Post by dougedwards on Aug 9, 2009 22:10:32 GMT -5
I see that Caldwell has come out with a new and improved Lead Sled. I have the older version and although it certainly can help with recoil it surely isn't the best shooting rest for precision work. The front rest doesn't hold the stock very firmly and the rear elevation adjustment is just a bolted foot that screws into the main tube and is not very smooth at all.
My goal is to reduce group sizes by reducing the "wobble-wobble factor" and was wondering what the best shooting rest would be for precision work? Any suggestions?
|
|
|
|
Post by jims on Aug 10, 2009 16:06:43 GMT -5
Doug: Some of the competition shooters can give you information on the best rests for accuracy. I have both Lead Sleds and the the new variety is an improvement over the first model. More adjustment and you can position where you want the front of the stock to rest, the old model was fixed in location. For my use the new model works pretty well plus the recoil reduction factor.
|
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Aug 10, 2009 19:01:19 GMT -5
Douge........Don't know if you have looked at my last post: Tuesday's range report...........But down near the end, I did some "stuff" with the Lead Sled DFT I am borrowing. All in all, as a benchrest shooter, I have found the sled to be fairly acceptable. It was somewhat wobbly but I have corrected that problem. Surprisingly I was capable of getting some good groups with it. While I still prefer my pedestal front and rabbit ear rear rest, I could get by with with the modified DFT.
Richard
|
|
|
|
Post by dougedwards on Aug 10, 2009 19:25:13 GMT -5
Douge........Don't know if you have looked at my last post: Tuesday's range report...........But down near the end, I did some "stuff" with the Lead Sled DFT I am borrowing. All in all, as a benchrest shooter, I have found the sled to be fairly acceptable. It was somewhat wobbly but I have corrected that problem. Surprisingly I was capable of getting some good groups with it. While I still prefer my pedestal front and rabbit ear rear rest, I could get by with with the modified DFT. Richard Richard.......could you elaborate on the "pedestal front and rabbit ear rear rest". Would like to see pictures if you have them or a more detailed explaination of how they work together to help with more accurate and precise shooting? Doug |
|
|
|
Post by Dave W on Aug 10, 2009 19:29:01 GMT -5
Rich, what is your opinion of the Caldwell Rock BR rest?
|
|
|
|
Post by rangeball on Aug 11, 2009 9:27:48 GMT -5
Rich, what is your opinion of the Caldwell Rock BR rest? Caldwell says the front of the new lead sled DFT is the same as the rock br comp. |
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Aug 11, 2009 16:35:06 GMT -5
The Caldwell's are OK, but would not be my choice for competitive benchrest shooting. There is just a little too much "slop" in everything for me. Hart, Sinclair and Whitcha Of the three legged rests would be my choice. Bald Eagle also, but I know the proprietor and know he has retired. Not sure if someone else is making them? What a lot of guys have done (myself included) is to get a larger piece of plate steel or aluminum and make the base larger, heavier and more stable.  The Lead Sled DFT and the "Rock" have what is called a "windage adjustable front bag" Its kind of a "Mickey Mouse" setup where there is a pivot pin in the front and then in the rear a spring loaded handle that will pivot the front bag left and right. For a ML or hunting rifle it is OK, For benchrest, where you have a flat forend that precisely fits and squared bag, that pivoting would put uneven pressures on the sides of the stock. Our windage adjustable tops like the one in the picture are on a track which allows the entire top to move parallel. The front spindle as on the DFT is way too loose; even though you can force it tight with a side screw (handle). Put it this way, the quality a good competitor wants is just not there. Again, your average hunter/casual shooter will not realize the difference. But, you are looking at around three times as much $$$ also. By the way, that brown leather bag sitting on the rest has 4 lbs. of lead shot in it. Some without the base will lay a 25 lb. bag on shot on their rests. Different strokes for different folks  Oh, and that silver large screw on the very rear of the rest? That is called a "speed screw" it is geared with a faster twist rate and give quick verticle adjustment when going from sighter target to record target. That is a custom made Edgewood rear bag. It is very flat on the bottom so as not to rock and roll. it is made long for more weight and also so you have a place to rest your hand when setting off a 1.5 oz. trigger. Hope this helps. Richard |
|
|
|
Post by dougedwards on Aug 12, 2009 14:27:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the pictures and explaination. I am not always shooting at the same site and sometimes carry a portable shooting table with me to shoot in a field. The August heat gets stiffling here in good ole humidity ridden Virginia. I am looking for something steady and easily adjustable that I can carry with me in my pickup. I probably don't have the money for a Hart or a Sinclair type of rest so the Caldwell DFT might have to do.
Doug
|
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Aug 12, 2009 16:05:47 GMT -5
Douge............I guarantee you will not be disappointed with the DFT, particularly if you fix that rear leg screw. Some more mod's might be coming to keep the DFT tracking in a straight line. Stay tuned! ;D
Richard
|
|
|
|
Post by ozark on Aug 12, 2009 18:49:03 GMT -5
I have a Rangemaster that seems to be a quality piece of equipment. I am wondering why it is never mentioned. I think Mike used to own one but he may have switched by now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Aug 13, 2009 19:13:28 GMT -5
Ozark.......I had never heard of a Rangemaster? I am sure there are a few others besides the ones I mentioned. I know there are several made by shooters and a limited "to friends only" basis.
Richard
|
|
|
|
Post by splinter on Oct 18, 2009 17:16:56 GMT -5
BenchMaster???
|
|
|
|
Post by ozark on Nov 5, 2009 13:09:49 GMT -5
My mistake. It is the Benchmaster and as far as I am concerned it is a good item. For me it eliminates recoil 95 percent and removes all the wobble wobble.
|
|
|
|
Post by whelenman on Nov 5, 2009 14:34:14 GMT -5
I've got one of the Caldwell BR models and like Richard said it leaves some to be desired as far as smooth travel. There was an oscillation as you turned the wheel for elevation. I took mine and returned the wheel on a lathe to resurface it and then resurfaced and polished the flat that the windage travels on and installed a new stronger spring in the windage. It's better but if the wife would let me spend the money I'd get a Farley, a Shadetree Engineering or a SEB. They're all the stick models and I think I'd enjoy the flexibility. I get pretty good results with what I have but have to make allowances.
|
|
