I have been watching alot of african hunts on TV and have noticed that most of the time the rifle being used has no sling on it. Why is this? Is it fear that the rifle may get stuck on brush when you might need it for a charge, or are there other reasons.

In 44 years afield I have never used a sling unless a long walk in open country was the plan, and then once I got to the hunting grounds, it came OFF, hence quick-release feature. Spotting, stalking, in thick brush with a sling is sheer misery. Them thorns love a new sling, especially if it's hanging loose.

The sling on my 375 was there to make the rifle easier for the tracker to carry while I was carrying my heavy rifle, which is slingless.

I actually used the sling on my 375 when we went for long walks looking for plains game too. I expected to but I didn't find it in the way or catching on brush. Still when we were going to sit for leopard or lion the sling came off since it just added one more thing to make noise.

Hope this helps,

JPK

I should have added that I had to grease the swivels every couple of days or they started to squeak.

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by Tanoose:
I have been watching alot of african hunts on TV and have noticed that most of the time the rifle being used has no sling on it. Why is this? Is it fear that the rifle may get stuck on brush when you might need it for a charge, or are there other reasons.

No, it gets caught on the truck's window crank

Brent

I hunted northern Namibia at the end of August beginning of September when there are no leaves on the Mopane. Nevertheless, you still must duckwalk under the branches loaded with thorns. A sling is out of the question. The 'african carry' style--rifle on the shoulder, barrel pointed forward was of little use as well. I ended up using my scope as a carrying handle, ready at a moment's notice, rifle hanging horizontal at my side.

The plains game I was hunting didn't give enough time for the use of a sling as a steady rest. No time to get wrapped up into tight position. Just position in crook of PH's shooting sticks, center crosshair on vital area of desired animal, control breathing, squeeze trigger.

The only time I actually used my sling over the shoulder was once the hunt ended and we were walking back to the bakki on the road away from overhanging thorn branches.

Even in the semi-desert open plains of southern Namibia the sling wasn't much use as we were crouched over trying to get as low as we could to stay undetected as we stalked close enough for a decent shot.

There is a risk of the sling getting hung up in brush and causing problems that could otherwise lead to disaster, so they shouldn't be used for dangerous game hunting.

For safaris that involve DG, I never use a sling on either my DG rifle or my plainsgame rifle. I will also add that carrying the rifle around without the aid of a sling is more of a hassle and more of a burden, but that's part of the DG price tag in my opinion.

For plainsgame-only safaris in open areas, such as Namibia and RSA, I always have a shooting-type sling on my rifle, and I can tell you that there have been shots I've made because I used the sling as a shooting aid that I might not have made without it. And besides, a sling is fundamentally useful for carrying the rifle, and when prudent, I always have a sling attached.......

AD

First off let me clear he air here:

I am a sling manufacturer!

That said, here's my experience.

DG - no sling!

PG - sling!

As previously stated by another member of this forum, I too had one of my trackers carry my PG rifle for me just in case we come up on a target of opportunity that requires more range / different caliber. The trackers realy appreciateed that sling! And, as Allen said, the sling when properly used "can" make a shot happen.

IMHO that is,

JW

Jeff's experience is the correct advice.

I wouldn't even think about using a sling in the thick jesse I hunted elephant in this year. A sling would get caught up pretty quickly IMO.

I carried my rifle in my hand for the most part, with short periods of holding it over my should in the "african carry style". But 90% of the time in my left or right hand.

On previous PG hunts, where there were no DG, I have used a sling now and then, but always seem to end up carrying it in my hand anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by Brent:

No, it gets caught on the truck's window crank

Brent

I think it gets caught on the gun rack when riding around in the back of the vehicle! ya know you got be quick on the draw when that impala charges behind that hi fence! LOL

Usually I am bearing ............my bow (Mathews LX 70#, and next week Bowtech allegiance VFT 90#)

but the gunbearer is bearing my Sauer 202 375HH and all of them feel happy with the


BUTLER CREEK SLING FROM CABELAS sling