Slings

[ChaoSS]

I've never used a sling on a rifle. I want to. So, to get started, I know nothing about them.

Are they all basically the same thing? I've looked at instructions on how to set them up, but looking at Walmart, the packaging doesn't really allow you to see them properly, and I'd like to get something really cheap to start out with, see if I like shooting off of a sling. But I don't want to get the cheap one if it's a different set up than something better.

So, are they all basically the same? Or are some of them set up differently, basically just a carry sling?

 

[ChaoSS]

Might as well throw in the second question, Savage Stevens 200 Long Action, I just put some 2 piece rings on it, and I have a Nikon Prostaff that I was planning to mount on it, but it looks like it may not be long enough to mount on there. Can anyone recommend some offset rings that could close the gap just a little bit?

 

[MtnCreek]

I use about any sling on a hunting rifle as somewhat of a shooting aid by putting my forearm through it. These are more a strap \for carrying a rifle, not shooting slings. If you want more of a true shooting aid, an M1907 sling is great. You'll need to add 1 1/4" hardware to mount to most rifles. If you're going to be using this on the Savage rifle you mentioned, the stock may have too much flex to use a shooting sling.

 

[ChaoSS]

The first rifle I'd like to mount a sling on is going to be an old sks that didn't come with one.

I seem to remember seeing something about wrapping your arm through a straight sling, and I think I'd rather learn to do that properly, as I don't currently hunt, but that's the eventual goal. So, basically, any ol sling off the shelf at Walmart that isn't too stretchy or too thin should be ok?

 

[jmr40]

There are slings and there are carry straps. Most people mistakenly call both slings. What Walmart sells are carry straps. A sling is made with a loop to place your arm in to aid in shooting. A carry straps can be improvised into a makeshift sling. Personally I prefer to use a simple nylon carry strap. A true sling is heavy and a bit complex to use. For precision shooting you need a true sling, and a good one. Just to carry the rifle a carry strap is fine and can be used as an aid. It depends on what you expect to be able to do and the rifle type.

 

[twofifty]

a few tips

- A simple carry sling or strap will have a buckle of some sort to allow easy length adjustments.

- Some buckles will gradually slip out of adjustment under load as you walk along, some don't.

- Wider slings are generally more comfortable, up to a point.

- Inexpensive and range functional slings are make of simple nylon webbing.
Nylon will let the sling slip off your shoulder as you walk along, unless it has some sort of non-slip pad feature.

- Simple leather carry straps are pleasant and comfortable to use, but they too will eventually creep off your shoulder without a non-slip feature. Leather needs to be maintained, and it will stretch when it gets soaked on a rainy hunt. Look for full-grain well tanned leather, thicker is usually more durable. The more expensive ones are tooled in appealing ways.

- Neoprene combined with nylon or other modern fibres is making headway in sling design. The neoprene, combined with a non-slip face, will add a measure of 'suspension' to your sling, so the rifle's weight is not as apparent to you.
Those cost a bit more money.

- Some slings have a wide flare in shoulder area, to reduce the apparent weight and cut down on shoulder fatigue.

- Some slings feature a small pouch to store a couple spare rounds close at hand.

To make effective use of a simple, non-military non-CMP carry strap or sling, learn the HASTY SLING technique which can be found online. With training, it is very easy to quickly draw a rifle while weaving one's support arm into the 'hasty' position, provide you chose a simple carry strap type. This position offers very good practical field support and is well worth learning.

edit: others can pipe in on the refined uses of traditional military slings, or the modern slings suited to AR carry.

 

[omcf]

You may also want to look at a "Ching" sling, developed by a student at Gunsite, if memory serves. It is set up to be used as a cross between a carry strap and sling, and for some may be even easier than a "hasty sling".

One other feature on some slings: the thumb loop, this is actually to make long hikes with the sling a little easier, among other things.