Has anybody used a lead sled? And if so, good or bad? Thinking about trying one and was wondering about ease of setup and repeat loads etc.

Welcome to the forum doctor duck. Rules are somple, be nice and join in.

I've not used the lead sled, but built one nearly like it from a pix in Cabela's. Got to say if your shooting any hard kickers a recoil absorbing rest like mine or the lead sled sure makes a day at the range pleasent. My 8mm Rem mag can spend a day at the range and nary a bruise or bump goes home with me. Here's a pix of mine I cobbled togather with some metal scraps and an old scissors car jack that was lying around. It probably weighs 45 pounds empty and with a bag or two of lead shot makes shooting the big boomers as easy as the 204 Ruger.

Setup is no harder than any rifle rest for a bench and though the big boomers may slide it around some on recoil it's easy to push back into place.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/Shooting%20accessories/sideview3.jpg

Here it is set up on an old exercise machine that was turned into a portable bench rest.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/Shooting%20accessories/Benchrestattherange.jpg

Here's how I did the adjusting screws and the lift on the old jack. A coat of silver paint finished it off.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/Shooting%20accessories/Hightadj1.jpg

I use one and it is great I love it no recoil for any of my rifles and shotguns.

Thanks for replies. I need something for shooting my 7 mm mag. After 5-6 shots I get a little sore. Sore tends to make bigger groups.

There was an article on one of the shooting magazines this month about shooting rests. It mentioned the Lead Sled had caused several fractured stocks on hard recoiling rifles due to not letting the rifle move backwards during recoil. Just something to think about. I use one of the shoulder pads that fits over your shirt if I am going to be doing a lot of shooting.

I've read that article to and another caveat was that It could cause your scopes to slide back in their mount from not letting the gun recoil freely. The only thing I can say is I've been using my home made one for two years now and after shooting my 8mm Rem mag, a 300 Rem Ultra-mag, a 7mm STW, a 375 H&H and a bunch of smaller caliber rifles on it I've not had any problems. There are a lot of these out in the field and I just don't see a bunch of complaints over those problems. I think it is important though not to fasten the lead sled down so it won't recoil at all.

All these lead sled devices do is add the weight of the rifle holder to the gun to reduce recoil, not eliminate it completely. Folks have been doing that for years with the mercury devices placed inside stocks with no ill effects to the rifles and shotguns. I would recommend the lead sled for your 7mm with no qualms.

Thanks a lot. I've been reading alot of threads on here and would have to say this is a friendly informative site. Thanks again.