Rifle sling

[BP Hunter]

THis is my first year to hunt deer out of a blind and start stalking walking for miles in the mountain. Back in TX, the most I ever trekked was a few hundred yards to my blind. Here in WA State, I discovered that a good sling will make huting more enjoyable. The one I have is regular sling that keeps on slipping off my shoulder. And even if sling it across my shoulder, it still slips. I am looking for a good that is obviously comfortable and at the same time easy for me to deploy the rfile if I needed to.

Thanks.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I always look for one with a thumb loop to hold the rifle on my shoulder and relax my hand instead of having to grip.

 

[MtnCreek]

Can't help with brands, but one thing to consider is you don't want one that's heavy. A heavy sling will swing a little until it settles and the weight will make the barrel swing a little too. Not a good thing for taking a quick shot.

 

[fragout]

I use a simple cotton M1 Garand/M14 sling on just about every rifle I own.

It can be adjusted very easily while in the field as a shooting aid, and it's also lighter in weight than the leather slings.

I find it easy to use, and carries the rifle on the shoulder even if it's soaking wet.

They will eventually stretch after a lot of use, but do not cost all that much to replace, as compared to several other types of slings.

In the past, I have fabricated my own little slip on padding for this type of sling. It is easy to put on and take off via Velcro loops, but it does shift around on the shoulder some.

 

[me26245]

sling

I've been making my own slings for a bit and like to use an 8oz leather.
In the shoulder area I use some padding and line the underside of the padded area with suede, then sew it together.
When I tool and dye them they look pretty good. I use a sealer on everything to keep the leather form soaking up water.
I need to start putting a buckle on the end to make it more quickly adjustable as right now I use Chicago screws to keep the sling attached to the swivels.

 

[CraigC]

I like a good leather 1¼" 1907.

 

[jmr40]

Be careful of many slings. Many weigh a ton. The best nylon straps I've found are the Uncle Mikes Mountain slings. They are a simple nylon strap with a grippy rubber insert sewn inside the strap so it stays put on your shoulder. They only weigh 4 oz, dry fast if wet and cost around $15-$20. Many wide padded straps weigh well over a pound, and just get in the way when you try to shoot.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/...productDetail/Slings/prod9999005311/cat100046

If you want to spend a little more, but get a classy leather sling try the Montana sling. Around $35 and with the rough side against your shoulder they will not slip off. Get the 1" version, trust me. Even made from leather they are about 6 oz. Not as light as the nylon, but not bad.

http://www.montanagunslings.com/

 

[bpl]

I agree with jmr40. I really like the montana slings and have several 1" versions in black and brown to match different rifles I own. I also have one of the UM Mountain Slings, which is great for an ultralight rifle. Either of these are a great choice IMO.

 

[Laphroaig]

I've bought a couple of the neoprene/synthetic slings for my hunting rifles. They are both light and cheap. The stretchy neoprene portion rests on your shoulder and seems to "stick" more than plain leather.

Laphroaig

 

[sage5907]

Another piece of advice I can give is to adjust your sling so it is very short so your shoulder with your hunting coat on just fits through the sling. With the short sling the rifle has less room to move around and slip. It also allows the butt of the rifle to be slightly below the waist just right for the recoil pad to fit into the palm of your hand. So when you walk the rifle is fitting snugly behind your arm and the recoil pad is resting in your hand. It doesn't flop around and doesn't slide off your shoulder so bad and part of the weight of the rifle is in your hand so it makes walking less tiring.

 

[readyeddy]

http://www.redi-mag.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=15

Safari-Tac Sling allows hands free carry and fast access.

 

[BP Hunter]

thanks for all your responses.

Readyeddy, I just purchased the Safari Tac Sling and was not happy with it. Maybe I don't know how to use it, but the thing is you have to "learn" how to deploy your file to aim from the carrying position. And if you don't get it right, the sling on the butt gets snagged and is difficult to readjust it to the carrying position.

 

[W.E.G.]

Safari sling with QD swivel attachments.
The PLAIN Safari sling - not the "TAC" model.

http://youtu.be/FGwn6Kfno7o

I've tried all sorts of slings, and there is nothing more practical or versatile for the hunter than the Safari Sling.

I've never used the Safari TAC sling - and I doubt that I will. It looks like the TAC model is geared for some sort of gaming where you are required by "the rules" to carry your long gun with the muzzle-down. I don't play that game, so I won't be needing that limitation on my gear.

 

[Ks5shooter]

http://www.opticsplanet.com/mountain-sling.html all I use I have 6,quick adjust comfortable,non slip on shoulder

 

[readyeddy]

I just ordered the Safari Sling. If it works better than the Safari Tac, then I'm all for making the hunt easier.

One good thing about muzzle down carry is avoiding having debris fall into the muzzle. But I like how the Safari Sling appears to have more flexibility than the Tac.

 

[back40]

i use usgi cotton slings, the cotton style with leather/stud attachments from aks, and this...

http://rifle-craft.com/product/rs2-riflemans-essential-sling/

by far the nicest, i've used in terms of light weight, ease of use and providing a great shooting aid.

 

[mac66]

I used all kinds of slings in the past and have come back to a basic 1" or 1.25" sling that is adjustable to use as a hasty sling.

Some things to consider...

1. Wide slings distribute the weight of the rifle over a wider area on your shoulder which makes the rifle more comfortable to carry. Wider slings tend to slide off the shoulder easier, and padding makes that worse.

2. Narrower slings tend to grip more but bite in more. That may be less comfortable (generally not a problem when wearing hunting clothes) but they stay in place better.

3. Nylon slings tend to be slicker and can slide off the shoulder easier. They are lighter however.

4. Leather slings tend to be heavier. The narrower leather slings have a good bite to them.

5. Cotton web slings tend to grip better and are lightweight.

I like the cotton USGI slings on my service rifles but don't like the weight of the metal adjustable buckles on my hunting rifles. I typically buy cotton web material 1" or 1/5" wide at fabric stores in what ever color I want and make my own slings using Delron (plastic) buckles and slides. All my hunting rifles now have those slings on them.

 

[el indio]

I would sew a large button on the shoulder of my coat where the sling would rest. That way it would not slide off because the button would snag the edge of the sling. To remove the sling, slide your thumb up the sling and grab it off.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Go to Wal Mart and get a tube of Shoe Goo in the shoe department. Put a few dabs of this on your sling where it rests on the shoulder, let it dry for 24 hours and the slipping will stop.

 

[Float Pilot]

Montana Sling.