Does an ultralight mountain rifle need a sling

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TrevorMack

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Putting together an ultralight and debating on needing a sling or not. This will be my first ultralight and am unsure if I will need one. I was thinking it will usually either be in my pack or be light enough to just carry in my hand. Anyone wanna chime in?
 
Depends on your type of hunting. I can think of way more scenarios where I would need/want a sling vs not.

Plus depending on the style of sling, it could help with steadying your ultralight come shot time.
 
One thing is for sure. No matter how light the rifle, if you plan to carry it in your hands you will want a sling. This being said, I do not take a sling on backpack hunts. My rifle is strapped to the pack at all times except when on the final phases of a stalk or when I'm taking a short stroll from camp to glass. Neither need a sling. Some may want a sling on a rifle on a backpack hunt if they are in thick alders for a long period of time in grizzly country or another similar situation. Most now a days use two trekking poles and strap their rifle to their pack though.

This being said, definitely still install sling swivels. Two weigh less than an ounce and I'm sure you will still take the rifle on other hunts.
 
I can't imagine why I wouldn't want a sling, especially with a light rifle. They are, by nature, harder to settle down, particularly when you are breathing heavily. Couple that with field shooting positions and I'd much rather have even a lightweight nylon carry strap than nothing at all. You can also use the sling to hang the rifle on the top of your frame pack while you walk and still have the sling when you make your final stalk. You never know when you may want both hands available to navigate some terrain feature during a stalk.
 
A sling for mountain hunting is a must...there will be many times when you need both hands and feet to climb. :)
 
A sling is a tool used to steady your rifle for a shot. A carry strap is another thing entirely.

Me, I like to avoid both. I walk a lot in heavy cover, and find they get hung up.

If I were walking in more open areas, or from a stand I'd use one or the other.

Close cover means I can use a carbine that I can tuck in my belt to climb steep banks when I need my hands.

For a long range mountain rifle, a proper shooting sling absolutely!
 
The bush we hunt in is hilly and can be quite thick and I need my hands free for climbing and using a machete/axe for trail clearing.
I like the "Quake" brand slings because the soft rubber is very quiet and won't slip on clothing and I seldom have to readjust the sling on my back.
 
OP, are you sheep/goat hunting? If so a lot of this talk about having the gun at the ready goes out the window. You will spend time judging the animal with binos and a spotting scope before you ever take the shot. Lots of time to pull the rifle off the pack and use the pack as a rest. That being said let's of people still like to keep the rifle slung. Just personal preference.
 
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