I am taking my CZ 550 375 H&H to Africa for the first time this year and am looking for recommendations on a rifle sling.

I have a Butler Creek 1-1/2" wide neoprene sling that I've used for several years on my 30-06 and 7mm WSM with good results but I wonder if the elasticity is up to carrying the CZ for several hours a day (and if the 'bounce' when carrying the heavier rifle will drive me slowly mad!) I've looked at leather cobra-type slings and the newer "Claw" slings that are rubber over webbing but neither appear to be particularly comfortable.

Your thoughts based upon experience are greatly appreciated!

Have a look at the Montana sling.It is one of the best I have come across. (Cabela's) Quality is outstanding and they work as advertised except I have seen them shown with the adjustment at the forend of the rifle when it works much better at the butt.

Von Gruff.

Forget the sling. Your rifle should be in your hands when on foot.

George

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
Forget the sling. Your rifle should be in your hands when on foot.

George

Nice George! Have a close look at your picture when you post.

priceless

My PH last Summer said no to slings. I have a leather one from some outfit in Texas that is great, can't remember the name.

quote:

Originally posted by Pegleg:

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
Forget the sling. Your rifle should be in your hands when on foot.

George

Nice George! Have a close look at your picture when you post.

He is on his knees, in which case a sling is ok

Some may not agree but I find that a good military adjustable sling is hard to beat on any hunt.
I use a sling when shooting if the distance is of any consequence.

Nice one Pegleg!

Latigo sling from Brownells is the best,and yes you and the moderator will need a sling and appreciate its usefulness in Africa. This carrying the rifle buy its muzzle over your shoulder is impractical and downright dangerous, IMO. Seems to be "the look" many strive to achieve...I think it is silly. Dr.C

Pegleg,

The fact is I had my .375 in my hands when we ran into that buff; the tracker was carrying my .470.

If you care to, you can go back to my 2001 hunt report for the full story; I'll summarize it if that doesn't suit your agenda.

Here;s a link to that thread Tanzania results

When the tracker took my .375 and passed me the .470', I found that he had 'thumbed' both ends of the scope on the .470, so that when I went to shoot, I couldn't see the buff. I took back the .375 and shot the buff with it. Once I'd shot the .375 'dry', the buff was still trying to make his escape.

At that point, the .470 with a blurred scope was better than nothing at all, and I was able to finish the buff.

George

I don't understand the reluctance to using a sling. I have one on all my rifles. All are fitted with detachable swivels. I use a canvas and leather sling like the ones made by Westley Richards. I bought several from Cabelas years ago for a very reasonable price. I think you can get basically the same one from Jeff's Outfitters. I like them and they carry well. I find them to be very practical to use in Africa where there is an awfull lot of walking going on most of the time.

Stealth, I used the sling you speak of on the AK Pen last year chasing Brown Bears. It was very comphy, although it was carrying my <8 lb. 338. I'm sure you would be fine with the heavier CZ.......they are cheap, buy one and check it out on a hike or two b4 you go.

My all-time favorite sling is the Vero Vellini in rubber and nylon. The neopreme is thin (about 1/3 the thickness of Butler Creek). With quick disconnect swivels, it comes of in a hurry.

Very comfortable for long hikes, stays where it should on your shoulder, and rolls up nicely to fit in a pocket when getting close to game.

I too believe a rifle should be in your hands in a ready position when stalking, maintaining absolute muzzle control for safety.

I've been using Vero Vellini's on my rifles for fifteen years, at least. I used them on three different rifles in Africa. The "bounce" from a neoprene sling beats having a ten pound rifle hammer you south with each step after about four hours as you will experience with an unyielding piece of leather or canvas.

If I'm going to be in the thick stuff here or yonder or anywhere else, I take the sling off.

you guys sure that's a sling? Looks more like a garter belt for a fat woman from here...

Rich
Buff Killer

A sling has far more important uses than to merely "tote" the rifle! Carrying the rifle comes in a distant second in the proper uses of the sling. I am talking about control of the rifle while carrying and shooting. And yes with proper use is excellent in even those very close, very fast situations. A sling is not for carry use--it is for control of the rifle! Proper sling use is a great assistant in the field, not a hinderance! Proper sling must be fitted to you and the rifle. It cannot be one of those stretchy things! I have two Galco leather slings fitted for proper use that I carry the most and the other sling I like is the
X-Cellerator sling by Browning.
Michael

Happy with my "trader Keith" slings.

Traditional, long lasting, comfortable, quiet,
Light, Non slip additive plus more.

As mentioned earlier, the rifle sling can be of great assistance to shooting in whatever position and fairly quickly I might add. For those having competed in High Power matches, the "old" military sling is well respected and often is referred to as your "portable benchrest." Might want to check out Mr. Leslie Tam's slings, do a search Leslie Tam Rifle Slings, for they are of the highest quality and will last a lifetime even with continuous use.

A sling is invaluable when you have to stalk on your hands and knees. With the rifle hanging below you you are able to move quietly and with less fatigue.

I just bought the sling offered by Texas Hunt Co. I like it.

I use the Vero Vellini and the Brownell's Latigo slings.

I like them both.

The Vero Vellini sling is especially good for carrying a heavy rifle, since it has some "give" or bounce to it.

I seldom use a sling, though - particularly in Africa when something dangerous might be encountered at any time.

Under such circumstances, I prefer to have my rifle at the ready, in my hands.

I have leather slings on almost all my rifles.
I have a couple that are camaflag quick open.
The leather take a few seconds to find the right hole. So I set them before the hunt.

Brownells Latigo sling modified for a Hasty loop with some Duck Tape! Its quick as hell to loop up and steadies you amazingly well. Try it!-Rob

Stealth ----- I packed a Model 70 Winchester Safari Classic in .416 Rem chambering with the Butler Creek neoprene sling for 10 days in the Selous and couldn't have been happier with it's service. Good luck and good shooting.

I like the one you have now. Some 15 years ago I switched from quality leather slings to the Butler Creek Alaskan sling. I have them on all my hunting rifles, including my large bore African rifles. I have never had a problem with them and have often topped the magazine from the 4 rounds carried in the sling. They have made over a dozen safaris as well as hunts in rain and snow in Canada. They are extremely comfortable on long tracks with heavy rifles. Can't imagine using anything else.

Murray Sling --simply the best.

Darrell Ragar

I love the Texas Hunt Co slings.They are also very good people to deal with.

Anyone know what kind of sling mounts to use for the older style bolt rifles? The ones with the big hole rings? Like on the older english guns. Thanks,.

I must second Trader Keiths and similar canvas slings...2" width is preferable to spread the load over a bit wider area.....and they look proper in the photos. If you have the opportunity, you can quickly detach when making a closing stalk. Nice for the walk back at the end of the day, though.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

+1 for Murray leather

I for one love the sling that you are using now.

I have one on my rifle all the time, if I was going on a stalk that required it, it can be taken off in seconds.

At the risk of giving the traditionalists fits I have to say that the Vetro Vellini stretchy sling is the most comfortable slinng I have ever used and it is very lightweight. I had not used a sling much at all until those Cameroon death marches after the Lord Derby eland and on those hunts it just made a heck of a difference on how bushed I was at the end of the day.

I do think that when hunting something that can bite you probably are better off without the sling. It can tangle in the bush keeping you from bring the gun to bear when you most need it. Having said that some of the most accomplished PH's I know use a sling all the time.

I guess for me in the future I'll use the Vellini sling when I know I have a long walk ahead and just take it off with the quick detachable swivels when I know I'm closing with an animal or following up.

Mark

how about the galco safari ching sling? never used one but it looks interesting.

The most important use of the sling is to steady your shot by wrapping it around your upper arm.

Carrying is secondary, in that in most cases the point of attachment to the stock makes for a very uncomfortable carry position.

I found that the best place to fit the sling swivels is as far front as possible on the forearm, and at the bottom of the pistol grip.

In this position, you can adjust your sling length so that it fits tightly around your arm for a shot, while at the same time being comfortable to carry.

The rifle also balances much better when carried with a sling set like this.

On my rifles I install 3 Uncle Mike's quick-detach studs: one on the forearm, one at the bottom of the pistol grip, and one on the stock in a standard position.

With this I can place my sling where best suits me in a blink. Uncle Mike's swivels are easy to detach, strong, allow the sling to be turned around the swivel without twisting it, and the studs do not protrude out of the stock and "catch" when not in use.

Bruno Cobra Straps used to be top-notch workmanship, made with proper saddle leather, but unfortunately Bruno retired some years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
how about the galco safari ching sling? never used one but it looks interesting.

I prefer Eric's original design when it comes to shooting but the Safari Chingsling is a much better carry strap, especially for heavier rifles.

Murray Custom Leather A-1 Quick Sling.

-Helpful as a shooting aid
-Adjusts quickly
-Comfortable
-Looks good

The only sling you need unless you are a competitive shooter. If you shoot matches you need a Turner Saddlery M1907 "National Match" Sling.

+1 for Vero Vellini slings. 98% of the purpose of the sling is to carry the rifle for a long walk. I have used wide leather slings and the Vero in Africa and really appreciate the comfort the Vero offers. Vero is even better in the mountains!

www.murrayleather.com

I love there quick slings.

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
how about the galco safari ching sling? never used one but it looks interesting.

Bought one and sent it back. In theory, it's cool. In practice, I found it to be awkward and unyielding.