Precision Rifle Sling Issues

[bgrav321]

I have recently completed my long range precision setup. I bought an ADL from Academy in 308 for 379, had a Sendero profile heavy barrel installed, had the action trued, then bedded in a Bell and Carlson light tactical stock with the AICS magazine system running through a CDI trigger guard, etc. I topped it with a weaver 15 MOA rail and rings, and a SWFA SS 10x. I have about 1400 into the rifle all told. I was not getting good groupings with a few assortments of factory/hunting type ammo, so I got into reloading a few weeks ago and loaded my own duplicate of FGMM with Sierra 168's and Varget rifle powder. Easily a .5 MOA gun now, and I've made good hits out to 800 yds on a steel gong with said handloads.

I went on a 10 mile hike last weekend with no trails, overland, in central SC. Pretty heavy underbrush. I was toting about 25 pounds worth of stuff in my pack and belt (ammo, food, water, clothes, etc) and the rifle is I think around 12 pounds loaded. The issue I'm having with a generic sling is the bulk of the rifle weight is at the muzzle due to the 24 or 26 inch heavy barrel. I have a bipod on the farther sling attachment, and the sling is only really supporting the shorter and lighter end of the rifle. It was very uncomfortable over either shoulder and it's quite heavy to just keep in my hands on a longer hike (was out about 6 hours total). Any suggestions for a sling on this thing? I will be hiking fairly regularly pretty good distances with it. For a backpack I'm running a 5.11 triab with their Brokos belt rigged (very comfortable and my company sells 5.11 and I get a great deal). I don't really want to go the eberlestock route.

Thoughts?

 

[allaroundhunter]

Deleted , let me find a link

 

[taliv]

try the armageddon gear sling. it's elasticy like the old mamba sling, and rides a little better on longer walks.

when i'm going long distance (several miles) i like the eberlestock. When I'm going shorter distance i actually prefer throwing the rifle onto my shoulders though. like a yoke.

 

[jogar80]

Maybe try a hunting pack? My backpack has a pouch at the bottom for the butt of the rifle and straps at the top for the stock and barrel.

 

[henschman]

Get something padded.

If you want the most comfortable, look into a TAB gear biathlon sling. It carries "backpack style." It might get in the way of your actual backpack though.

You could always put some side mounts on it and use something like the padded VTAC sling and carry the rifle out front. I carried my 10 lb. scoped .308 AR that way with a padded sling on a 7 mile run 'n gun in the desert a couple weeks ago and it was very comfortable. It's also very quick to bring up and use when carried that way.

 

[taliv]

henchmen, what 7 mile run n gun was going on last week??

 

[henschman]

It was the Pecos Run 'n Gun in West Texas

 

[bgrav321]

I had looked at the biathlon I wonder if I could put it over my pack straps...link to an attachment I could put on to run the v tac?

 

[henschman]

There are all sorts of attachments you could use... you could drill the stock for regular sling studs and use standard QD swivels (like Uncle Mike's), you could drill for flush cups using QD push button swivels, you could use large eye hooks and use HK hooks or mash hooks, you could use the velcro wrap-around type attachments or the wire wrap around sling loop, you could add picatinny rail sections and use one of the many rail sling attachments... lots of possibilities.

FYI, 5.11 is running a 40% off sale on everything on their website if you use the code outdoor40. They sell the padded VTAC sling. It's a real good price with the discount. Only comes in black though.

 

[bgrav321]

I have standard studs that came in the stock but my current attachment point is under the handguard...you would go on the side?

 

[henschman]

If you're going to carry out front, low ready style. It is also better for carrying it across your back.