Hiking with guns without slings

[H Wally]

What do people do out there when they've got a favourite gun that A) isn't set up for a sling, and B) they don't want to alter to put a sling on?

I'm aware you can get lace on slings, but wondering if anyone goes with a scabbard or anything for their guns?

I'm specifically thinking lever actions or blackpowder guns if you're doing some hiking in dense brush where having both hands free is a big plus.

I've been thinking about making a stiff walled scabbard with a shoulder loop that can either be carried on its own or strapped to the side of a backpack, mainly just for fun, but also to move an unscoped rifle around on hikes or trips into the bush.

 

[lister]

Like Ash had in Army of Darkness. Seemed to hold his boom-stick pretty well.
My muzzleloader has no sling, but it's short-barreled so I walk with it barrel down in my right hand. Brush is a bit of a pain, but I can deal.

 

[H4831]

A common way to carry used to be on the shoulder, barrel pointing rearward. The pointing rearward is a safety measure, in case of falling, the barrel will be pointing away from you.
Not near as good as a sling, but doable and quick to get into action with.

 

[churchrvsb]

This works for me:

http://www.eberlestock.com/J107M%20Dragonfly.htm

 

[sl66ICEcuba]

I'm just curious... how many people hunt/backpack with black powder rifles? I personally prefer to walk with my barrel pointing up resting against my shoulder in comparison to a strap, but have never carried enough stuff with me that I fully required the use of a strap

 

[12many]

wouldn't that be noisy as hell?
i only use sling when dragging animals
i walk some pretty thick cover and always carry my rifle in one hand, having gun over shoulder has cost me a few in the past, and i imagine have gun in a scabbard would waste even more time should an opportunity arise.

 

[BrotherRockeye]

I used to loop the straps on my saddle scabbard together as a shoulder strap.Wouldn't wanna hunt like that but works for packin in...iron should be in yer hand if yer huntin

 

[mechanic1908]

The cfsc says that shoulder carry is the least safe method. FWIW.
You can buy a sling that acts the same as a slip on recoil pad on the one side and has a tie on attachment (like shoelaces) on the other.
I always carry in the ready position myself.
HTH
Eric

 

[CatfishSteve]

I hike and hunt with my Great plains Rifle using that lace on sling cabelas sells looks and works great. However when I go through heavy brush i hold it in one hand at the balance point barrel forward its actually easier to go through heavy brush like this than with both hands free as I use it to gently part the bushes.