123 ELD and 8208

[Djgrendel]

What good is a lead sled for? It doesn't replicate your actual grip. What a gun does in a sled, is not what it will do with you actually shooting the firearm. Toss that in sled into the ditch and shoot for yourself

[ih784]

It gives me a good false sense of security. When I’m only loading 5 rounds for a given load it takes some of my perceived human error out of play. Your advice is noted. Thank you for your help too.

[topcaat1]

Neptune VII
Think its a keeper.
24" Bartlein barrel.
27.2 grains 8208
cci # 41 primers
123 gr Hornady ELDs
Hornady cases
2550 velocity at 85 degrees.

400 yds 5 rounds 2"


600yds 5 rounds 5 1/2"


Think I could of done better at 600 but it was windy and I was shooting quickly during the lulls.

[FW Conch]

Lead Sleds are designed to help a shooter handle a heavy recoiling rifle, when shooting from a bench, while siteing in or load developing. They are not conducive to consistent accuracy. The reason being, to have the best/ most consistent accuracy, a rifle must be allowed to recoil. When a rifle is fired in a Lead Sled, the butt hits the stop and the muzzle climbs.

Watch Rail Gun shooters. Even though they don't have to, their guns are built to recoil and return to battery.

[FW Conch]

...

[Cornbread]

I don't use a lead sled but a hyskore rest for load development. i do not anchor the front part to the bench as it was designed. Takes out most all the human error. just use the lead sled without any weight. Personally I could not get comfortable behind a lead sled but it is the solo version. A mechanical rest without any added weights etc should not affect group size in a negative way.

[ih784]

[ih784]

I use it as a rest without weight. I smell what you’re stepping in Mr. Cornbread I’m of the same mindset.

[Bronsonburner]

Get a bullet comparator, find distance to the lands on your gun using whichever method you prefer, and load them 15-20 thousandths short of that. From there pick the best powder charge and then work on tweaking the seating depth. I learned just how important seating depth can be in the last few months. My gun seems pretty sensitive to it. A difference of five thousandths can make certain loads go from sub MOA to almost two inches with my barrel.

[Cornbread]

Kinda hard in most ar's to get to the lands unless your single loading due to mag length restrictions.

[Massey9556]

. Shooting from a lead sled gave me my worst groups! Went back to bags. That's just my Experiance.

[Bronsonburner]

Kinda hard in most ar's to get to the lands unless your single loading due to mag length restrictions.

Not in my barrel, depending on the bullet. I can load 123 SMK's and 129 ABLR's (and possibly others I haven't tried yet) to mag length but certain bullets will easily reach the lands if I load that long.

[LRRPF52]

Kinda hard in most ar's to get to the lands unless your single loading due to mag length restrictions.

With a SAAMI chamber, you should be in the initial shallow leade.

[Popeye212]

I have that same barrel and with 8208 it is happy around 28.0gr. Starline brass and CCI450's with several bullets in that weight range. From what I have seen in mine it likes 8208 to be near the upper end. Low 27's tend to shotgun a bit. YMMV

[ih784]

I’m getting decent groups. I even tried 2/10s on either side of the groups I settled on. Out of three bullets the loads have landed with each bullet from 27.0 to 27.8. Anything 28+ is definitely a no go. After putting a radius on the ejector I don’t see the swipes/extrusion at 28-28.3 with either one of the 123s I shoot. I guess I need to find some 450s. I understand any number of things could make a difference. Thank you for sharing Popeye. I’m happy hearing about someone else’s experience with a BA. Seeing Shilen,Bartlien,Lilja and Saturn make me wonder about mine but I see your posts and keep grinding away lol. I’m happy with what it’s done so far.