Let’s be honest—nobody enjoys recoil. Whether it’s punching you in the shoulder with a .45-70 or just nudging you off target shot after shot, recoil can mess with your accuracy, your confidence, and your desire to keep shooting. So when we had a chance to test the new generation of Caldwell’s Lead Sled family, we were all in.
We’ve used Lead Sleds for years. They’re kind of a staple for sighting in rifles or testing loads. But what surprised us this time was just how much has changed—and improved—without losing what made the original a must-have for so many shooters.
Jared Grove from Caldwell walked us through the entire line of new Lead Sleds—starting with the updated Solo II. The changes were subtle but smart: improved front and rear rests for better recoil direction, a more intuitive design, and a clever new weight bag system that can be filled with either sand or water. It’s simple and cost-effective—two things every shooter appreciates.
Then we moved up to the Lead Sled 4 and DFT 3. If you’re running lever guns, rifles with detachable mags, or anything with a big pistol grip, you know the struggle of trying to work around awkward rest bars. Caldwell listened and cleared the middle out to give you more room to work. They also added windage adjustments, another smart feature for dialing in precision. The kicker? All these updates came without raising the price.
But the real highlight was the Lead Sled Max—Caldwell’s new flagship.
It’s big. It’s sturdy. It’s loaded with features. And yes, we gave it a proper workout.
The Max is designed to be the ultimate recoil-reducing platform. The built-in removable weight tank (fill it with water or sand) is clever and keeps the entire system compact and transportable. Everything about it screams thoughtful engineering: adjustable length, a smooth front elevation wheel, rear-mounted windage and micro-elevation dials, and a clamping-style head borrowed from their precision turret rest.
All of that adds up to one thing: you can stay locked in behind the gun without ever having to reach forward or readjust your position. It’s comfortable, repeatable, and rock-solid.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper day at the range without a little fun (and a little mess). The test? Crack some eggs using a .45-70—with and without the Lead Sled Max.
Without the sled? KJ took the hit like a champ, but let’s just say the eggs weren’t the only things scrambling. Recoil from a .45-70 is no joke.
Then came the sled.
We locked the rifle into the Lead Sled Max, made a few minor elevation adjustments (big dial up front, fine-tuning in the rear), and took the shot. Boom. No movement. No flinch. No excuses. The egg exploded, the shoulder stayed intact, and the rifle settled like it never even fired.
This wasn’t about selling you gear—it was about showing what actually works. And the new Lead Sleds work. Whether you're a weekend shooter, a precision competitor, or just tired of bruised shoulders, the new Lead Sled line—especially the Max—is a tool that makes shooting more enjoyable and more productive.
No recoil. No flinch. No excuses.
Just better shooting.
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