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After I got done slaughtering the sheep, I shot the .308 tests and then thought an impromptu test with the sled might be in order.

I used my Ruger .308 Ultralight. It is a very light rifle with a very thin, whippy barrel. I did freefloat the barrel and bed the action is Acraglas Gel, as well as working over the trigger to a crisp 3.75 lbs.

Here are some pic's:

Picture 1 BELOW: Two 3-shot groups. On the left is a group shot with the butt lifted off the bottom of the rest. 2 1/2".

On the right is a group with the butt resting on the bottom of the rear rest and against the back. 1 1/4"

Note: both groups shot with forestock merely resting on the front bag.

Picture 2 BELOW: Two 3-shot groups. On the left is a group I shot while I was sitting on an artillery ammo can with my elbows resting on my knees. 2"

On the right is a group shot from the bench, using sandbags for a rest, NOT using the Lead Sled. 3/4"

Picture 3 BELOW: Two 5-shot groups shot at one of my hunting practice targets. There is no clear aiming point. On the left is a group shot from sitting on the ammo can, elbows on knees. 3 1/4 inches.

On the right, a group shot from the Caldwell Lead Sled with support hand pulling the forestock down onto the front bag. 3 7/8 inches.

On the whole, the Ruger perfromed a lot differently on the sled than did my heavy 12 pound Savage. The sled works well for the Savage but for bench shooting with a normal hunting rifle two things stood out:

1} The sled, like any other shooting method, takes getting used to. I basically don't like using it.

2} It certainly reduces recoil, but the shooting experience is so weird and unnatural compared to my usual positions that it will, for me, be used primarily for varmint shooting, since it works well for me with a HEAVY varmint rifle and in fact, I really do not have a rifle that kicks hard enough to need the sled as a recoil reducer. If I ever get a real bruiser, I'll use the sled and comment. For now, I don't have that type of experience. I can see how the sled could be very helpful during an extended range session with a shoulder-breaker {as when working up loads}.

For my purposes, I'm glad I got it for free...

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