RE: different impact when using a lead sled
Yes Sir, absolutely. I was coming to the forum today to post my experience when I saw your question.
I have an Ruger M77 in .270 made in 1984. I am setting it up this year as a longer range gun because I am hunting a corn field which presents longer shots. I never had a problem with this gun until I starting working with it this fall shooting it out of a lead sled at a buddy's range (I've never used a lead sled in the past with this gun, just sandbags.
The .270 was printing bullets all over the paper with no pattern or consistancy. Other guns I have shot well enough out of the lead sled (Rem 700 in 30.06, Browning A-bolt in .243, Omega .50 cal muzzleloader) that I never considered it asthe source of the problem. I replaced the scope on the gun (an older but excellent Redfield) with a Burris Fullfield II with no improvement. I floated the barrel myself, no improvement. I took the gun to a smith who adjusted the trigger to 3 pounds, no improvement. Shot 4 or 5 different kinds and weights of factory130, 140, and 150 gr ammo with no improvement. I'm pulling my hair out now.
I take the gun to another gunsmith who shoots it himself on sandbags and shoots a 1.25 inch group. Now I put two and two together - it is the damn lead sled.
I shot the gun this past Thursday on a front rest and rear bag and it shot less than an inch with Winchester 140 gr. Accubonds.
Talking to the gunsmith (a very experienced shooter, former military sniper) he said that some guns just shoot horribly when placed in a leadsled where the gun's movement is restricted. He advised me to place the front rest as far back as I can toward the receiver so as not to put any pressure on the tip of the forearm.
So let's review: I spent $200.00 on a new scope, 4 or 5 boxes of ammo (about $100.00), and $50.00on a trigger job to learn finally that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the gun in the first place.
Big dummy.
Thank you lead sled.