I have seen people hunting in Africa with and without a sling. I see more PH's NOT using slings then those that do. I assume that it would be quite easy for something to catch on the sling and perhaps ruin a stalk.
Which method do you prefer and why?
Any other comments?
Posts: 935 | Location: USA | Registered: 03 June 2001
I have one of those neophrene ones that stretches...they make the rifle seem lighter than it is. I keep it in the small bag I have one of the trackers carry and use it when we are on the way back from tracking something we didn't like when we found it. Quick detachable swivels make it quick and easy.
Posts: 4360 | Location: Sunny Southern California | Registered: 22 May 2002
IMHO a sling is a good thing to keep in your pocket so you can carry your rifle back to camp when you're tired. On a hunt for dangerous game, I want my rifle in my hands not slung over my shoulder.
AMEN BROTHERS - It drives me nuts watching all these outdoor shows where the hunter has his gun slung over his back when stalking an animal. As everyone has stated - slings are great for carrying your gun back to camp.
Another thing about slings that amazes me is all the guys talking about cutting their barrels down to 22" so it won�t catch on brush, yet they slap the biggest damn sling possible on their gun. If you have ever been to Africa, you will know that everything that grows has a friggen thorn on it. They rip your clothes, they rip your skin, and love to snag your sling if you are dumb enough to have one on your gun. I figure that a 22" barrel with a sling is like my 24" barrel without a sling.
Posts: 10780 | Location: Test Tube | Registered: 27 February 2001
My son missed a nice buck because he had his rifle on his shoulder. I told him and told him. But some times you have to learn the hard way. The differants between a old hunter and young one the old one has his rifle always ready the young one needs to learn that. Put the sling in the pocket and just use it to carry after the hunting is done.
Posts: 19928 | Location: wis | Registered: 21 April 2001
I use the Murray custom sling and have never had a problem. matter of fact I use different techniques when stalking and they all involve using the sling in different ways. The custom sling form Murray Custom leathr adapts to this well.
Posts: 7154 | Location: Orange Park, Florida. USA | Registered: 22 March 2001
I cary a sling (nylon) with me in a pocket or something for AFTER the shot. I used it many times on the last hunt going BACK to the vehicle. They have a great place but not when you are in pursuit! I almost forgot.... I also strapped the rifle underneth my chest when I had to crawl up a throny rocky hill to get a shot. That also work good. I just will not have one that I cant take of in a jiffy!
Slings are "in" with me, but it is an on-again-off-again sling.
They add to safety over the "African" carry. The rifle muzzle is up or down instead of waving around at someone's backside when single file treading behind a PH.
It is quicker (instantaneous) to get a rifle into action from my favorite carry position (muzzle down, action rearward, on the left or nondominat shoulder) than even from the African carry.
I prefer only a simple 1" nylon, nonadjustable with the QD Uncle Mike's super swivels. Easily rolled up and stuck in a pocket when entering brush or approaching game.
Get George Hoffman to tell you about slings. He recommends them.
I want a QD sling even on my double rifles.
------------------ Happiness is a warm double and a bloody spear, but a 375 or a 416 will do just fine! RAB
Posts: 28032 | Location: KY | Registered: 09 December 2001
Like most here, I use a sling to carry my rifle when I get tired. My scoped, or light rifle always has a sling, and is on the shoulder of a tracker, my big boy in my hands.
DagaRon, the African carry is no more unsafe than the muzzle down carry. If a large rifle discharges with a muzzle down carry, someone in the group is going to get hurt. A rifle carried in the "African Carry" is not pointed at the man in front of you but at a 35 Degree angle to the right or left, depending on the shoulder you carry on. Additionally, the trigger/triggers, are placed behind your head, makeing it almost impossible to snag on anything that didn't slap you in the face first.
I always carry a sling, for my double rifles, in a fanny pack, but it rarely is on the rifle untill late in the day when the rifle begins to weigh about 200 lbs.
------------------ ..Mac >>>===(x)===> also DUGABOY1 DUGABOY DESIGNS Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art
Posts: 14634 | Location: TEXAS | Registered: 08 June 2000
Having been through Jeff Cooper's rifle training you will always find a shooting sling on my rifles. I want to distinguish between a shooting sling and a carrying strap. They teach quick assumption of shooting position with the shooting sling. I use a Ching Sling on my light rifles.
Following dangerous game in the thick stuff the sling comes off and goes in a pocket.
I know the PH training program in Zimbabwe teaches the PH candidates not to use a sling because they are more concerned with snagging a sling on vegetation just when you don't need to.
jim dodd
"If you can get closer, get closer; if you can get steadier, get steadier."
Posts: 4166 | Location: San Diego, CA USA | Registered: 14 November 2001
The benefits of suitable slings go much further than simple carrying. I'd like a dollar for everytime my sling aided the shot, in one way or another. Resting the riflestock upon a soft and supple leather sling steadies the crosshairs when employing various field rests such as such as boulders, tree limbs and knotches. So poised, a gentle pull-down of the hanging sling will hold your forend firmly in position when there is little room for ones hand. Arms and wrists will be stronger at the moment of truth, should it arrive towards the end of a demanding day. Only when actually closing on dangerous game do I routinely elect to remove it.
I have to come down on the sling side. They are easy enough to remove in heavy cover, but most of the time it stays on. If there is only an offhand shot availible, I use it for the quick steadying wrap it can provide, which has been very helpful to me in harvesting game.
Posts: 192 | Location: Norman, OK USA | Registered: 01 February 2002
I am pro-sling for various reasons mentioned above. I prefer the brownell's competitor plus leather military sling on my hunting rifles to anything else.
JohnTheGreek
Posts: 4697 | Location: North Africa and North America | Registered: 05 July 2001
I guess I'm a dumb ass because I always use a sling. I use it to help steady my aim when I shoot from improvised rests and it pads the forearm when using the African sticks.
Posts: 1148 | Location: The Hunting Fields | Registered: 22 May 2002
I have a nylon Ching Sling from The Wilderness on my .280 Ackley Improved and will never be without it. It's DAMN fast to use... and I do mean "use"... and I'm having one put on my .375 H&H Magnum when it's done. Beats the Hell out of the "competition" leather slings I used to try to use for hunting-situation shots.
Russ
------------------ "Out here, 'due process' is a bullet!" -- John Wayne, "The Green Berets"
[This message has been edited by Russell E. Taylor (edited 02-28-2002).]
Posts: 2982 | Location: Silvis, IL | Registered: 12 May 2001
With my target shooting background I am comfortable with the marksman sling and have them on all of my rifles. On the lighter game rifles the 1" suffices and the 1 1/4" is used for the varmint rifles. Most of them have quick detachable swivels and of course if I was after dangerous game that I expected to find at short range I would remove the sling.
The marksman sling gives me the choice of very accurate prone, sitting and kneeling positions.
I do not use the sling from offhand. For moving game I use a position where I lean forward. For stationary shots I lean back some and assume my target shooting techniques.
This stuff is only for those that have confidence in the sling. You can use those positions without the sling or a harris bipod, sticks or lean against a tree or something.
