Caldwell's Lead Sled DFT offers a significant upgrade to the original Lead Sled. DFT stands for Dual Frame Technology. This new version has two upper frame rails placed side by side, rather than the single top rail of the original. The two rails increase rigidity for greater accuracy. The new fore-end cradle utilizes the same windage and elevation adjustment system found in Caldwell's Rock BR competition rest, an excellent foundation for precise and repeatable adjustments. Both front and rear firearm support bags are included.

The DFT's most desirable accuracy improvement is its rear leg height adjustment knob, which allows the rear of the rest to be raised and lowered with one hand. The rear elevation knob raises the height of the DFT's rear foot. Staffers found this new rear leg adjustment to be the simplest and fastest method to deliver fine elevation adjustments. Generally we used the fore-end cradle's elevation adjustment wheel to get the gun "in the black," then turned the rear elevation knob to get the crosshairs in the X-ring.

The DFT is designed to hold two 25-pound bags of lead shot. Additional bags can be draped over the top rails, but we have never found it necessary to use more than two bags.

The DFT is a better recoil-reducing shooting rest for accuracy testing than the original. Its twin tubes make the rest stiffer, and its windage and elevation adjustments help keep the gun on target with less of what a pool player might call "English"-by that we mean pressure from the shooters cheek or firing hand to get the crosshairs in the X-ring.

The DFT's improved rigidity and range of adjustment makes shooting tight groups, particularly with hard-kicking guns, considerably easier. The DFT is not meant to replace the original Lead Sled; it is an improved version of the original Lead Sled and as such is significantly more expensive.

Whether or not it is worth the added cost will likely depend on the amount, type and variety of shooting you do. If you are just looking to pattern a 3½-inch goose or turkey gun or sight-in a dangerous game rifle, the original Lead Sled is more than enough, but if you are the type of shooter determined to squeeze the most accuracy from a hard-kicking gun, the Lead Sled is undoubtedly better suited to your needs.

Available From: Midway USA, 5875 W. Van Horn Tavern Road, Columbia, MO 65203; (800) 243-3220