Gun rests for my ML

I have always used the lead-sled for sighting in my Savage 10ML ii. I noticed my groups were not what they should be so I looked the gun over and found no obvious issues. All fasteners were tight and barrell,lbreech-plug and vent liner were clean. The lead-sled is a great tool and saves on the recoil pain but I always felt I couldn't get close enough to the scope and my cheek weld was horrible.

I did some research on proper bench rest shooting techniques and to my surprise the lead-sled can actually hinder the process and some claim it is really harsh on on the gun and scope. The recoil energy has to go somewhere and if it's not sent to the shooters shoulder it will transfer to the gun and scope. There are even claims of firearm damage Form using it.

Yesterday I left the lead-sled at home and I tried the adjustable front rest and rested the stock on a sandbag.

Wow what a huge difference. I was able to get a good cheek weld on my stock and the found the recoil was not bad at all. I didn't need to hold the stock and the gun slid back and forth naturally. I used the rear sandbag to adjust elevation and found it was very steady and stable.

I seen an instant improvement in my 100 yard group. I did need to adjust the scope right and my last 2 shots were just about touching eachother once I got the hang of the new rest.

Some of you experienced shooters already know this but thought I would post my aha moment with those using the lead-sled... ;)

I'm ready for the Michigan Dec ML hunt now.. :)

https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/9b/ea/lRWElHfb_t.jpg

one thing I noticed watching the bench rest guys some our using a bounce sheet on the front rest to allow for a slippery surface does it work not sure just what I have seen

I've been preaching this for years; the bench rest should only be used to remove you, the 'human' error, from the equation when you're bore sighting the gun. Once you adjust the scopes optical axis to align it with the barrels mechanical axis, ...then get rid of it. All they do is prove the gun/ammo works, after that, all they do is give guy a false confidence in their shooting ability.

Get in behind your gun, hold your gun stock into your shoulder, rest your elbows if need be and use a rest to support the barrel. Then zero the scope adjustments to accomadate for the errors YOU introduced into the equation.

Then, too see how well you can really shoot; free hand your gun. Support it fully without rests....then learn how to hit your target like you would in a hunting situation. It's humbling at first, but after a few boxes of ammo you get the hang of how to breath properly and control the gun barrel.

I saw a Deer Hunting video the other day of a young lady filming videos with her Dad... they actually had her rifle mounted in a lead sled on a fixed tripod IN the hunting blind. All the 'shooting' she was doing, was pulling the trigger. Sad.

Bench rest shooting is a real art Form. You can really tell who has been shooting and who has not when in deer camp.. Lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikePal

I've been preaching this for years; the bench rest should only be used to remove you, the 'human' error, from the equation when you're bore sighting the gun. Once you adjust the scopes optical axis to align it with the barrels mechanical axis, ...then get rid of it. All they do is prove the gun/ammo works, after that, all they do is give guy a false confidence in their shooting ability.

Get in behind your gun, hold your gun stock into your shoulder, rest your elbows if need be and use a rest to support the barrel. Then zero the scope adjustments to accomadate for the errors YOU introduced into the equation.

Then, too see how well you can really shoot; free hand your gun. Support it fully without rests....then learn how to hit your target like you would in a hunting situation. It's humbling at first, but after a few boxes of ammo you get the hang of how to breath properly and control the gun barrel.

I saw a Deer Hunting video the other day of a young lady filming videos with her Dad... they actually had her rifle mounted in a lead sled on a fixed tripod IN the hunting blind. All the 'shooting' she was doing, was pulling the trigger. Sad.

---

I don't want to dispute your knowledge Mike but I believe you meant support your forestock not barrel.