Are lead sleds hard on scopes?

[KQguy]

A buddy of mine was telling me the other day,he heard lead sleds can be hard on scopes since they hold much of the recoil back,it puts alot of stress on the scope.does anyone know if this is true?I have alot of money invested in my scope(nightforce NXS),I don't want to ruin it!

 

[MagMan]

He's blowing smoke. You could take that NSX, beat the "Lead Sled" into a crumpled up pile of metal and put it back on and still have a good zero.

I've used the Lead Sled with my NSX though I didn't like it much the scope survived flawlessly.



PS, the only way you are going to ruin that scope is to back over it with your truck and I still have my doubts.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I have heard of bad effects on the stock, not the scope. No first hand experience here though.

Steve

 

[Savagebien]

either way i dont think lead sleds r worth a darn. a bipod and rear bag r my rest of choice, prone, or bench.

 

[rtv900]

I have seen two low end scopes go bad. They were replaced and broke again. I strongly believe it was because of their poor quality. I have been using a lead sled for almost two years and I shoot a lot of 375h&h and 300RUM and I have not had any problems. I am using Swaro scopes and Leupold VXIII scopes on those cal guns with no problems at all. If you have a Nightforce I cannot imagine you would have any problems at all. That is a top notch scope.

I am not a great fan of the leadsled because I think it is sloppy. I have tightened mine up and I am to cheep to buy another rest since I am used to it now.

I would not worry about it.

 

[bigg_sexy1]

I have heard of bad effects on the stock, not the scope. No first hand experience here though.

Steve

No first hand experience here either, but the local smith has a rifle with a broken stock from a lead sled. His report is that it put too much recoil soley on the stock.

 

[MagMan]

but the local smith has a rifle with a broken stock from a lead sled.

I can only assume it was of the plastic Tupperware version as I have stuck many a rifle up against things that were way more sturdy that a Lead Sled.

The only broke stock I've ever had was from a crappy bedding job.

Oh wait there was a Weatherby Ultra Lightweight that snapped off 3" from the butt (a slip and fall).

 

[bigg_sexy1]

I can only assume it was of the plastic Tupperware version as I have stuck many a rifle up against things that were way more sturdy that a Lead Sled.

The only broke stock I've ever had was from a crappy bedding job.

Oh wait there was a Weatherby Ultra Lightweight that snapped off 3" from the butt (a slip and fall).

Wooden stock actually, broke just behind the pistol grip... didnt look like it would have been any fun at all.

 

[J E Custom]

A buddy of mine was telling me the other day,he heard lead sleds can be hard on scopes since they hold much of the recoil back,it puts alot of stress on the scope.does anyone know if this is true?I have alot of money invested in my scope(nightforce NXS),I don't want to ruin it!

They actually help save scopes as does anything that reduces recoil velocity.

The reason they are rough on stocks are that if two much weight is added (2 or
3 lead shot bags) weighing 25 lbs each they put to much stress on the pistol grip
area some times cracking or breaking it.

I don't use any extra weight because the sled weighs as much or more than most rifles
and the tray makes a handy place to put Ammo,scope covers,reading glasses( for old
timers) if carpeted.

J E CUSTOM

 

[cmfi3]

either way i dont think lead sleds r worth a darn. a bipod and rear bag r my rest of choice, prone, or bench.

I went out and bought the new lead sled and I thought it would be "the best purchase ever" but I was dissapointed , I seem to be a lot steadier with a bipod and sandbag, but mabey im not using the lead sled properly?

 

[MagMan]

Don't worry I feel the same way. It sits right next to the turd machine rest I have.