Slings and Other Carry Methods.

[Rookie_Rover]

Ok fellas, I have a good question for you guys.

My rifle came from the factory with a sling on it (according to the best info I can find anyways), and I am not too sure about it.

The truth is, I don't want to take the chance of bumping my scope out of adjustment on the way to the stand, which could cause me to miss, or worse, just injure a deer.

For now, I am trying to get familiar with the carrying of a rifle with a sling, but it just feels awkward.

On the other side of the coin, I don't like to be carrying the rifle without some way to carry it besides my little grubby paws all over it. (When I walk down to the range, I often have a box with me, so this has me worried that it might slip out of my hands).

Is there another carry method you all could recommend that is as simple as a sling, but feels more secure to the shooter? I love my rifle, and I don't want to see it slam the ground because the sling came off my shoulder.

Thanks,
TJ.

[scottymydog]

Hi,I have been carrying rifles with a sling(shotguns too)for more than 50 years.I have never droped one.When climbing into a stand,you should raise your(unloaded)rifle with a rope.However there is another carry method,that attaches the rifle to the shooter like a harness.(Seems like a lot of trouble to me.)A good quality sling is the way to go.I like the synthetic slings at least 1 1/4 inches wide.You can also attach a pad to it,to stop shoulder fatigue.I make my pads from sheepskin.There is a new one out now,that has shooting sticks built into it.(SLINGSTICKS) I have not tried this yet,but it looks interesting.I hope this helps.

[DocHolladay]

If you were to mess with the sling, I would remove it and add one that had a pad as Scotty suggests. Other than that, leave it on. You will realize just how valuable it is once season comes and you have to walk that long distance to the stand or you have to do something with the rifle while dragging a deer. It is hard to tote a rifle and deer at the same time. The sling cuts out on one worry.

[bigblue]

I think a lot of the awkwardness your experiencing is due to the type of sling the factory supplies. Those little 1" nylon jobs are slppery and will leave your shoulder aching after a few hours of walking. Get yourself that padded sling or at least something wide enough to spread the weight and give it some gripping area so it don't slide off your shoulder. My favorite sling is woven leather on one side and suede on the other. A lot of people trade rifles in with slings and scopes on them. Call me a cheapskate, but the gun dealers will often sell the slings at next to nothing prices. That's where I found my favorite sling. They are also a good source of used scopes! A Leupold scope is under warranty forever, whether your the original buyer or not. Used, they are often sold for just a fraction of their original price. My favorite scope is an old Leupold M8-3X fixed power. I bought a used rifle that was wearing that scope, took the scope off and sold the rifle for the same price I paid with the scope. Instant free scope! ;D
Don
Don

[psycho]

If you are worried of it slipping off, put it over your shoulder like normal, then slide the sling over your head. The gun will now be on your back and the sling will be on like a car seatbelt. It will not fall off like this. Its a little tight, but it keeps both arms free and you dont have to keep a stiff shoulder to carry it..

[michihunter]

One thing I'd like to add to these suggestions is to take a piece of tape or a baggy and rubberband and cover your barrel in and out of the woods to your stand. While walking through brush areas, there's a high probability of getting things dropped into your barrel such as debris from trees and such. I hunt in some pretty thick areas and you never know what might make it's way down your barrel. A little precaution goes a long way in providing a safer shooting experience.

[psycho]

you can also cut a finger off a rubber glove and will fit the barrel better. Plus you can shoot the gun with these on if you need to.