what sling do you use on your deer rifle?

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I can't find a listing for them any more, but Uncle Mike's (IIRC) used to make a quick adjustable (slide) nylon sling that I really like; I have three of them. Because they have QR swivels, they are easy to move from one rifle to another. Here's what they look like:

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In Feb I bought a Kahr M1A Thompson (semi-auto non-NFA) and bought a Kerr sling through Amazon.Com for the Tommygun. I read somewhere that it was adapted for the Thompson from a WW1 rifle .... I don't know how it would work for a bolt action hunting rifle, or an AR-15 style hunting rifle.

Just me thinking, but I see two points that may rattle... if that's the case they'd have to be taped to prevent it. I don't know if the hardware will fit through commercial 1.25" QD's.

What little I've seen historically, it was supposedly a substitute standard sling for the '03, 1917, and Thompson.
 
I can't find a listing for them any more, but Uncle Mike's (IIRC) used to make a quick adjustable (slide) nylon sling that I really like; I have three of them. Because they have QR swivels, they are easy to move from one rifle to another. Here's what they look like:

index.php
I've used them a lot, still have 5 of them. There was a knockoff make at one time aswell. I like them because there long enough they fit over my back when dragging deer. Only thing is there a little slippery. I have thought of sowing some Swede to grip the shoulder some.

Wonder if one could be made all from leather.
 
In my last two posts, I brought up the Kerr slings. After examining one listed as a "Thompson Kerr", I did a bit more research. During the 1890's, they made a leather version I saw mentioned as being the best sling a hunter could get. The govt canvas version... according to my sources, they were longer from 1917 until being shortened during WW2 when they were designated as being for the SMG's. Currently, there seem to be more reproductions of the latter than the former.

If someone wants to use a Kerr NoBuckle sling on their deer rifle, which gives the advantage of quick adjustability, they'd best avoid the "Thompson Kerr" and get the earlier versions.
 
I am interested in what sling you all use for your deer rifle.

No such thing as a deer rifle in my book - elk or bust! But most of my hunting rifles use Andy's Leather Rhodesian slings. 10 of 10, would sling up again. It gives 95% of the rigidity of a loop sling nearly instantly - basically as fast as a "hasty hasty" sling but actually useful.

I also make my own slings - based off a Rhodesian-style RifleCraft sling that I don't see on his website any more. I think it was the RS-1. But I've made several changes - mine uses 4 metal H buckles and is slightly more comfortable and holds its loop open better but is heavier.
 
I still have not found anything I like as much as the original three point Ching sling. I am mildly surprised to see that it has essentially disappeared from the scene.
The last generation taught by the army/marines to shoot with a sling is basically dead. There's very little other useful rifle marksmanship instruction in this country. So very few people know how.
 
The last generation taught by the army/marines to shoot with a sling is basically dead. There's very little other useful rifle marksmanship instruction in this country. So very few people know how.

I certainly am no rifleman but I was under the impression that sling use was a basic part of the craft. At any rate, I had to go look up the Rhodesian sling mentioned in your previous post. I like it! If I ever buy another rifle I will have to give that sling a try.
 
A Rhodesian sling is basically a Ching sling but without the 3rd stud to hold the loop open. Ching is nice, but requires setup.

I would speculate not 1 rifle owner in 20 now knows how to achieve a loop or even hasty sling or has a setup capable of it. I personally consider it rifle 101, but given how reasonably experienced hunters/shooters I've met that have never even heard of the idea (slings are carry straps!) I sometimes feel a bit alone.
 
I would speculate not 1 rifle owner in 20 now knows how to achieve a loop or even hasty sling or has a setup capable of it. I personally consider it rifle 101, but given how reasonably experienced hunters/shooters I've met that have never even heard of the idea (slings are carry straps!) I sometimes feel a bit alone.

Well then maybe I am a rifleman after all! :p
 
As others have stated, the 1907 sling is very hard to beat. Started out with one many years ago, and for competition, it is still one of my favorites. No warts on the USGI cotton web sling as Garandimal pointed out. They are both simple and they work, both in carry mode and as a shooting aid, when set up properly (as several previous posts demonstrate).
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@hookey's Bucheimer looks identical to a couple of slings my son gave me a couple of years ago by Murray Leather Co. out of Aledo, Tx which work great as hunting slings.
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Set up as shown, sling length can be adjusted with one hand by simply sliding buckle up or down. I always set up with the loop forward woth either leather or cotton GI sling as opposed to the GI setup for a reason. Most of my hunting today is sitting, shooting off sticks. Dropping the loop over one leg of shooting sticks prevents sticks from sliding out from under your rifle if momentarily distracted.
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When hunting or on way to or from a stand, I generally carry the rifle slung, muzzle down under left arm (I'm right handed), with left hand on forend, between the rifle and the sling. Sling is pre-adjusted to correct length to serve as a hasty sling in offhand position. If a quick shot is presented, the rifle can be quickly brought to shoulder, twisting rifle 180* w/left hand while sling remains in position to provide good support for an accurate offhand shot.

A hunting rifle is, well, just naked without a proper sling.

Regards,
hps
 
Comparing Rhodesian and Whelan slings, near as I can tell from here, their use seems about the same. The Rhodesian seems to be simpler... set-and-forget instead of having to remember to move the Whelan's frog to use it as a shooting aid. Sometimes, the fewer moving parts, the better things work. Sometimes one moving part can make all the difference in whether someone eats that night.
 
As others have stated, the 1907 sling is very hard to beat. Started out with one many years ago, and for competition, it is still one of my favorites. No warts on the USGI cotton web sling as Garandimal pointed out. They are both simple and they work, both in carry mode and as a shooting aid, when set up properly (as several previous posts demonstrate).
index.php

@hookey's Bucheimer looks identical to a couple of slings my son gave me a couple of years ago by Murray Leather Co. out of Aledo, Tx which work great as hunting slings.
View attachment 916255View attachment 916256
Set up as shown, sling length can be adjusted with one hand by simply sliding buckle up or down. I always set up with the loop forward woth either leather or cotton GI sling as opposed to the GI setup for a reason. Most of my hunting today is sitting, shooting off sticks. Dropping the loop over one leg of shooting sticks prevents sticks from sliding out from under your rifle if momentarily distracted.
View attachment 916257
When hunting or on way to or from a stand, I generally carry the rifle slung, muzzle down under left arm (I'm right handed), with left hand on forend, between the rifle and the sling. Sling is pre-adjusted to correct length to serve as a hasty sling in offhand position. If a quick shot is presented, the rifle can be quickly brought to shoulder, twisting rifle 180* w/left hand while sling remains in position to provide good support for an accurate offhand shot.

A hunting rifle is, well, just naked without a proper sling.

Regards,
hps
Thanks for the info and nice pictures. I like the old military slings. I do like a sling big enough for go over my bad to drag deer. On my mausers I like the German sling style for on the shoulder pointing down backwards.
 
I still hunt in the woods and don’t use a sling while hunting. I keep it in my pack and attach it when I’m dragging out game.

For this I use a leather GI sling or any ol strip of nylon.

This is my method as well. Don't want to risk a sling catching something in my stand or snagging brush in the thick stuff I hunt when still hunting.

Be well all
 
Anyone ever use there sling to drag a animal, I had to use mine this year. I shot a big doe, as I was field dressing her it started to rain. I could not get a grip on her feet, I normally have a simple deer pull but did not have my normal hunting pack with me.
 
Thanks for the info and nice pictures. I like the old military slings. I do like a sling big enough for go over my bad to drag deer. On my mausers I like the German sling style for on the shoulder pointing down backwards.

I think it was earlier in this thread when I found out you can take a German MP sling, add a pair of 1" QD swivels, and use it on plenty of hunting rifles. Actually, I recall years ago hearing that of the main military rifles, Mauser was the hunting rifle. If somebody has a hunting Mauser... sporterized or custom... I wouldn't consider the repro MP sling inappropriate.
 
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