Finally shipped off my 338-06 and realized I hadn't asked the 'smith to install some swing swivel mounts. Question: In your experience, is there a difference in accuracy, ceteris paribus, between the a barrel mount and a forearm mount location?

I realize that slinging up for a shot will make a difference in POI. But off a rest or free hand does installing a barrel band mount decrease relative accuracy?

never found any differance

Yes it does.
It all depends on how much of a difference matters to you.
The barrel band sling is primarily designed for heavy kicking rifles so that the swivel does not bite you on the hand under recoil.
And since most all of the rifles that are going to kick that hard are most all never going to be shot past 150 yards, the slight bit of difference that a barrel swivel makes is nota factor.
On a rifle like your 338-06 you are entering into a longer range setup where an inch at a hundred yards can equal several at 300 yards so it may make a difference to you.

However it again all depends upon your range limitations, if you are a short range kind of guy then while yes it will make a difference, you will most likely never notice it.

And then again on your "baby thumper" it would indeed look rather cool..

I have a number of big bore rifles wiuth the sling point onthe barrel, accuracy is just fine, but i do not try and use them with a sling as a steady aid, if you are given to taking shots standing in which you need to use the sling as a steady then n the forearm is clearly preferable, also you cna use it as a point location for a bipod whereas you cannot do this with a barrel mounted swivel point, or not without loosing accuracy.

The two big pluses in a barrel mounted swivel were, 1) it kept the swivel out of the way of your hand in recoil and 2) it afforded a lower slung position over the shoulder when negotiating dense undergrowth. If neither of these are considerations then it would be a quicker and cheaper option to have the stud fitted to the forearm just my thoughts.

If your rifle has a forend tip of ebony however don't be tempted to screw any swivel into this, I realise I may be stating the obvious, but this wood is quite hard and can split readily, especially if subject to screw tension

The barrel band front swivel is my choice, but if you use your sling to shoot your rifle, then better put your swivel in the wood...

This brings up a question: What is the best way for the home hobbiest to taper a barrel band to fit the barrel?

Dall85

The better way would be with a boring bar inthe lathe to replicate the barrel taper. If no lathe is to hand an alternate but slower method would be by use of bearing scraper and engineers blue marking the high spots on the barrel and then scraping away metal until a snug fit were obtained, dependant on just how much of a taper is present on the barrel would dictate how long the job took, more taper would take much longer. By far the best way is to use a lathe.

You could always tuck your elbow in if you needed a precise offhand shot. I don't find a sling any steadier than just keeping my hand under the action and my elbow in tight.

quote:

Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
You could always tuck your elbow in if you needed a precise offhand shot. I don't find a sling any steadier than just keeping my hand under the action and my elbow in tight.

I have seen this shooting position and have tried it on occasion and it does make sense. Most of my deer shooting here in GA is done from a stand and some sort of rest is usually available. If I were to go out west for an Elk hunt, I'd take this 338-06 and would use a hasty rest if I could, only taking shots over 250 yards with a rest of some sort.

I've used a position similar to Tyler's for Int'l 300 meter Free Rifle shooting. For hunting, I'd prefer another position, sticks, or a solid rest of some sort. Of course, when none of these are available, you makes yer choice.

I am going to offer an odd suggestion.

Get both.
It is not as pretty, it cost more, but it is functional.
Use the stock swivel for bipod, and shooting with sling. I find I am more accurate this way with the little calibers 222rem ... maxing out at 30-06.

Remove the stock swivel if you find yourself cutting your hand on the stock swivel.