I know some folks consider a sling on your double a sin, but I think I might have to put one on my double for my upcoming hunt in Makuti (tuskless/buff). Thoughts?

I am looking for suggestions.....

I have considered taking one with me for my Double, but never have. The Gun Bearer carries it for me in open country and I carry it in the heavy bush where I don't want to be bothered with a Sling. I do have one on my Bolt Rifle as I prefer it to some of the shooting sticks I've seen over there. Just my .02 cents worth.

i sling all mine

I do not have a sling on my 450 No2, but do have swivels on my other doubles.

I do not use one when hunting in Africa, but will attach one if I need to get in an elevated hunting blind.

I will also use one sometimes if hunting in snow or wet country so i do not have to ut the rifle down when glassing.

If you have swivel studs on your double then you can just take one with you. If it gets in the way, take it off.

I did not use one when I was there but a number of people like them.

I used to be hardheaded and go slingless on my double. Good thing wisdom comes with age and lots of miles. I put one of Jeff Wemmers Texas Hunt Co. slings on mine and am happy with the decision. When you get close in heavy cover you can take it off if you feel more comfortable. I look at it like this''how much time do you spend aiming the rifle as compared to lugging it around? " 99 to 1 sounds about right for to me . Easy decision. Put a sling on. Also most pros will not let you behind them if you use a African Carry (by the barrels ) where they may if your bores are pointed skyward with a sling.

For Makuti, if you are comfortable with a sling, go ahead and bring one along and see how it works. Double/rifle, don't let this influence your decision. I'm biased and don't like slings on anything, they just don't fit me (or I them!) and as larrys said, I'd opt to carry over-the-shoulder and when in open country if need be give it to the tracker to carry (who may need to carry it at least some of the time regardless). But again, in Makuti especially, a sling may work well for you if this is how you normally hunt.

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Also most pros will not let you behind them if you use a African Carry (by the barrels ) where they may if your bores are pointed skyward with a sling.

Dave, so for the ones that won't "allow" either, what do they do, make the client walk first?

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Also most pros will not let you behind them if you use a African Carry (by the barrels ) where they may if your bores are pointed skyward with a sling.

Dave,

I don't buy the above statement. Only one PH ever mention it to me. Now is it safer if the muzzle or muzzles are pointed upward or even downward? Of course.

Personally I'm using a Fredrico Felini sling and just love it. Not worth anything as a shooting aid but way comfortable for a long walk.

Mark

I sling all of my rifles and remove the sling and tuck it into the back of my cartridge belt when I get anywhere close to shooting.

I use a Trader Keith's cotton web sling for my magazine rifle and the wide cotton sling from Westley Richards on my double.

I like carrying my rifle at all times.

A light sling such as the"TRADER KEITH'S" sling with good quality Q/R swivels such as from "Titan"
is a good option.

I use Trader Keith slings on my doubles and my 404 Jeffery bolt rifle. Great product, besides giving you that old "historical" look.

I found that I could actually remove the sling when I didn't want it on the rifle as the occasion required!

Hi Guys
Really depends on the PH, if he knows the client, and the number of AD's he's had over the years.
Closing in on game is one thing, of course you will be loaded, but on a ele hunt where you have plenty of time ( and that was this threads topic )
I would tell most guys to unload if they were hunting behind me . Personal preference.The sad fact is, and my experience is pretty broad in this safari thing, is that many,MANY clients display very poor firearm safety skills in the field, and a seasoned PH has COUNTLESS stories of situations where he could have easily had 500 grains in the back of his head if luck was not on his side. I talk to these guys, and most will agree if you ask them to be honest about it.
Before my sling on my double days, I had a PH I know very well ask me to unload if I used African carry. I complied -no fuss, as I have been in those shoes. He had a firm rule, no exceptions,and I respected his wishes. Just depends on the PH, and if a guy is okay with it fine, but I would not let my ego cause a dust up if another guy asked me to do it the same.

I have hunted the Makuti area last year with my DR, take a sling, even though I used one about 10% of the time if you have to have a tracker or somebody else carry it it would be with the sling, it keeps their sweaty hands off the steel. To date I've always carried my own rifle but at times the sling is a nice change on a 5-10 mile hike plus keeping your sweaty hands off of the metal yourself so you might come home with some blueing left on the muzzle side of your DR.

Carry my double when in the field and wear gloves. Do not use the African carry.

Have carried a sling in a pocket and used it when walking back after an unsuccessful stalk. In thick cover always put tape over muzzles.

Regards

If your going to use a sling on a double, Makuti is the place.

JPK

I will back Dave Fouldons comment. If you use a sling - I am happy with a loaded rifle behind me- and it makes life much easier.

I personally use one all the time, and only take it off for a follow up. As a PH I need to use my Bino's more than my rifle! and never did like pointing a rifle into my belly to steady it whilst using both hands on the bino's!

Sling it! You can always take it off, but it is hard to manufacture a sling in the bush.

I tried to make one for my .470 in Tanzania by removing the strap from a boyt soft case.

That doesn't work, by the way.

I always carry the rifle using a sling and don't remove it when close to game. I've never had it hang up on anything. Yet.

Even if the tracker would carry it, I don't want him to. We usually go along with three trackers, the PH, and me in the rear. When they lose the track, the trackers fan out in several directions for many yards until one finds it. I don't want to be standing around the bush 20 or 30 yards from my rifle.

In a line like this the African carry seems inappropriate and dangerous to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Indy:
In a line like this the African carry seems inappropriate and dangerous to me.

Not to the experienced and concientious hunter - who doesn't "doze" on tracks.

You do need to remain aware.

JPK