Best way to carry shotgun while hiking

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Felix_the_Cat

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Howdy fellow gun nuts

Question for you all:

I am going to be doing some camping/backpacking in the next few months, and will be taking my Remington 870 shotgun with me. Essentially, it is the parkerized version of the Marine Magnum.

Anyhow, I have never actually taken a firearm camping with me before, and am trying to figure the best way to take it in with me.

For the hike in, I was merely going to have it on the side of my pack. But after I make camp and get out for some hiking, I am not sure how to tote it around.

Any recommendations for a sling set up or sling mounts?

I need something that will allow the shotgun to be easily accessed by me, but a sling that is versatile enough not to get in my way as I am hiking.

Thanks
 
My preference is a short sling with a rubber pad on it so it doesn't slide off my shoulder, slung muzzle-down off of my weak shoulder; if you need it, just grab the forearm with your weak hand, pull it out and around, place it against your shoulder, and you're in business.
 
I tried the "on the side of the pack carry" - it didn't work for me as it set the whole thing off balance. What did work was to just let it ride on top of the straps between the pack and my back.

With regards to carry without a pack, when you need the use of both hands, and you don't expect to have to get into action quickly, I sling it muzzle down across my back. Anytime you employ a muzzle down carry the muzzle should be taped to prevent snow or mud from entering the barrel.
 
Strapped across the back should be enough, I think. It's not like you're gonna need to be shooting within 0.5 seconds. If the territory that you're going to venture through is that hostile that timely access makes the difference between life and death, you should just carry it in your hands, ready to shoot. Otherwise (in my opinion only) it is overkill.
 
Wouldn't it be nice just to be able to throw your 44 on your hip?

I carried an 870 once while in the woods (other than hunting) we were scouting out some potential deer stands. I decided it was going to easier to outrun any bears than to lug the thing around all the time.
I think I would go with it slung muzzle up myself but if I were to sling it down, I would leave the chamber empty, safety off. Just pull the trigger and rack the slide.
 
Thanks for all the good responses guys

Bill c68: Man I hear ya, I wish I could just take out my Glock 20 or my .44 Blackhawk with me.

I am a big guy, I carry a 90L pack usually brim full. The added weight of the shotgun is not a real big deal to me, its just trying to comfortably carry it is the problem I seem to be having.

I am thinking of either carrying it across my back, muzzle up (while hiking) or Muzzle down (similar to the rig Homesick Alien has). I know it may be uncomfortable, but I would much rather have it with me and not need it, then need it and not have it. I have 0 faith in bearspray and similar products such as bear bangeres. If I need to deal with an animal in a potentially fatal situation, I want much more then some bottle rockets and a can of seasoning:p

Any suggestions for the type of sling mounts I should be looking into? I have no idea at all what ones would be best suited for my needs.

Thanks
 
I carry my 500 for work and short hikes with no pack, just a surveyors vest. Normally I carry it with rounds in the tube and the chamber empty, safety off. It spends most of the time either slung muzzle up or in a two hand hold which helps the balance a little.

I have 3 states of preparedness

1. Slung, chamber empty, no immediate threat and open country with good vis all a round.
2. Two hand hold, chamber empty, but observant and watching my back, used when in closer bush, along old roads and such.
3. Loaded, two hand hold and ready to shoot. Used either when I see a bear or traveling down a game trail, dense bush. Move slowly and deliberately, also make decent amount of noise to give them time to move off without contact.

Even though I carry a gun, I also carry bear spray, I had the gun fail to function twice (selling it) and the spray is my failsafe.

Also take a few extra rounds and try out your gun, I also carry at least one full reload
 
SDC said:
My preference is a short sling with a rubber pad on it so it doesn't slide off my shoulder, slung muzzle-down off of my weak shoulder; if you need it, just grab the forearm with your weak hand, pull it out and around, place it against your shoulder, and you're in business.
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+1

Magazine tube full, safety off and empty barrel.

I haven't gone hiking yet, but I did try various slung styles to see what I would use and this method of carry was the most comfortable and quickest.
 
G37 said:
+1

Magazine tube full, safety off and empty barrel.

I haven't gone hiking yet, but I did try various slung styles to see what I would use and this method of carry was the most comfortable and quickest.
Click to expand...

Could I bother one of you guys to show me which mounts to use and possibly suggest a sling? I am just trying to visualize the setup.
 
I just put a rifle sling on the shotgun,and carry it like I would carry my rifle during hunting season.

I sling it over myshoulder, and then use the cross he chest snap straps on my pack to hook over the sling.

This prevent s the sling from slipping off my shoulder.

Soemtimes I also just stick it in the pack, or strap it to the outside if going over rough terrain.
 
I made a scabbard by cutting down an old gun case. I keep it on the right side of my pack. I have a Choate top folder so the whole rig doesn't stick up and catch the bush all the time.

But damn that shotgun is heavy at the end of a long day in the field. Especially if you are collecting samples and the pack gets heavier as the day progresses.

It's better to carry (legally of course) a big bore revolver.
 
Felix_the_Cat said:
Could I bother one of you guys to show me which mounts to use and possibly suggest a sling? I am just trying to visualize the setup.
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Very standard setup... my shotgun had Uncle Mike Sling Swivels on the bottom fo the rear butt and the magazine tube cap. The sling was just a standard nylon black band (I didn't have the rubber pad, but that would be much better and easy to find I think.)

Basically you just sling-it over your weak shoulder (for me left) with the muzzle down; the trigger guard will be pointing in front of you from the area under your armpit/next to ribs.

Anyway, when you want it, just grab the forend with your left hand and give it a twist as you are swinging it to your strong side.
You can go from Slung to a very comfortable Ready to Shoot in seconds.
 
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I only sling it when I need my hands for something else and it should be slung with the muzzle up on the strong shoulder. You can control the gun with your strong hand by holding the pistol grip when walking and it can be brought to bear with either hand very quickly.
Otherwise I prefer to carry my shotgun in my hands, either with one hand under the reciever or in both hands at the ready.
 
geologist said:
I made a scabbard by cutting down an old gun case. I keep it on the right side of my pack. I have a Choate top folder so the whole rig doesn't stick up and catch the bush all the time.

But damn that shotgun is heavy at the end of a long day in the field. Especially if you are collecting samples and the pack gets heavier as the day progresses.

It's better to carry (legally of course) a big bore revolver.
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A reason why I went with the 500 over the 870
 
BIGREDD said:
I only sling it when I need my hands for something else and it should be slung with the muzzle up on the strong shoulder. You can control the gun with your strong hand by holding the pistol grip when walking and it can be brought to bear with either hand very quickly.
Otherwise I prefer to carry my shotgun in my hands, either with one hand under the reciever or in both hands at the ready.
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It's interesting how life experience effects one man's habits differently that of another. BigRed's comments are sound, but diametrically opposed to my own experience. The muzzle down carry - slung over the strong shoulder - prevents willows from snagging the barrel high above your head, and the weak hand on the forend provides good muzzle control and rapid acquisition. We do however agree that when you need the gun the gun needs to be in your hands - not on your back.
 
Boomer said:
It's interesting how life experience effects one man's habits differently that of another. BigRed's comments are sound, but diametrically opposed to my own experience. The muzzle down carry - slung over the strong shoulder - prevents willows from snagging the barrel high above your head, and the weak hand on the forend provides good muzzle control and rapid acquisition. We do however agree that when you need the gun the gun needs to be in your hands - not on your back.
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You are right about that Boomer... the geography and game are different so the habits are learned accordingly... check out Gatehouses preferred carry... it is different from yours and mine but totally valid for hiking and hunting the mountains :cool:
 
I frequently pack my 870 while working in the field (forest tech). I swear by the boony packer or safari slings. They attach to the standard swivels, but allow the gun to sit upright with varying degrees of muzzle cant towards the ground (your choice). The gun is always accessible as you just have to raise it up to fire (extremely quick). I am sorry if this description is a little vague but I am at a loss to explain it better. As for how it is loaded I carry with the tube loaded, chamber empty, hammer down and safety off.
 
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