Shoulder sling rifle carry - muzzle down?

MackForce

MackForce

Regular
Rating - 100%
151   0   0
Location
West Coast
I was wondering how many hunters/ carriers use a sling with the muzzle pointed to the ground?
I've always carried muzzle up, as that's what I was taught by my relatives while growing up hunting.
I am sometimes carrying a rifle with a bipod attached and it more comfortable with muzzle down.
What's the issue with it?
Safety purposes?
More chance of debris entering barrel? Tape is usually on the barrel as is, so I'm not concerned about debris as much.
Easier/quicker to shoulder with it slung, muzzle down?
Just thought I would ask here. I may be missing something.

Thanks
 
MackForce said:
I was wondering how many hunters/ carriers use a sling with the muzzle pointed to the ground?
I've always carried muzzle up, as that's what I was taught by my relatives while growing up hunting.
I am sometimes carrying a rifle with a bipod attached and it more comfortable with muzzle down.
What's the issue with it?
Safety purposes?
More chance of debris entering barrel? Tape is usually on the barrel as is, so I'm not concerned about debris as much.
Easier/quicker to shoulder with it slung, muzzle down?
Just thought I would ask here. I may be missing something.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Not too darn many that I've ever seen. It's too easy to pack the muzzle with mud and crud. I'm surprised at people putting tape over the muzzle,too. Anything that restricts or blocks the muzzle can result in barrel rupture and banana peel. Not good!
 
If I might need to shoulder my rifle quickly I sling it muzzle down on my weak side ie. African carry.

Electrical tape over the muzzle and a couple of extra wraps on the barrel. You can shoot right through the tape, no harm, no foul.
 
Muzzle down strong side carry especially easy to control the muzzle with your hand . Handy when going thru tight cover muzzle does not hang up on low hanging branches .

Electrical tape over the muzzle as well, keeps moisture and debris out .

357
 
African carry or Jaeger carry makes it faster to acquire the gun than strong side carry. If you are wearing heavy outdoor gear, when reaching under your strong arm for the rifle, you might discover that the forend is out of reach, whereas the other carries allow you to easily grasp the forend, and push the muzzle out in front of you, bringing the wrist of the rifle within easy reach of the shooting hand. Either alternate carries provides superior muzzle control when moving through heavy cover; Jaeger carry quickly transitions to African carry; the muzzle protruding above your shoulder with strong side carry is a branch magnet.
 
Boomer said:
African carry or Jaeger carry makes it faster to acquire the gun than strong side carry. If you are wearing heavy outdoor gear, when reaching under your strong arm for the rifle, you might discover that the forend is out of reach, whereas the other carries allow you to easily grasp the forend, and push the muzzle out in front of you, bringing the wrist of the rifle within easy reach of the shooting hand. Either alternate carries provides superior muzzle control when moving through heavy cover; the muzzle protruding above your shoulder with strong side carry is a branch magnet.
Click to expand...

Honestly if there is no overt need I have my helper carry the rifle.............
 
Trimmer 905 said:
Not too darn many that I've ever seen. It's too easy to pack the muzzle with mud and crud. I'm surprised at people putting tape over the muzzle,too. Anything that restricts or blocks the muzzle can result in barrel rupture and banana peel. Not good!
Click to expand...

This is a very common and safe practice that does not pose any danger. It is not the same as a barrel obstruction as the tape is blown of by a small amount of pressure before the bullet leaves the muzzle. Dave Petzal from Field and Stream did quite a thorough test on this subject.
 
I use a variety of carries, and rarely use a sling at all.
One time I emptied my rifle to have a small stick slide out of the chamber after the round was removed.
I'd been carrying muzzle up for some time, and apparently a twig had entered the barrel and snapped off in the thick stuff without my notice.
Muzzle blast might/should have cleared that, but it was enough that I now routinely lower my rifle's muzzle in the thick stuff.
 
Trimmer 905 said:
Not too darn many that I've ever seen. It's too easy to pack the muzzle with mud and crud. I'm surprised at people putting tape over the muzzle,too. Anything that restricts or blocks the muzzle can result in barrel rupture and banana peel. Not good!
Click to expand...

The tape goes over the muzzle, not inside the bore, the compression of air between the bullet and the tape, tears the tape out of the way of the bullet, thus there is no restriction or blockage of the bore.
 
Sounds good.
I have seen it, but not often. (mostly the black rifle guys)
I was wondering if there was a big red flag I was wasn't seeing.


Edit: forgot the tape comment... I am saying a small piece of electrical tape, loosely over the end of the barrel.

Thanks for the input.
 
Last edited:
I always carry weak side muzzle down. Makes for quick crab with support hand on the forend and voila... It's ready to go. As for the mud in the barrel issue, one just needs to pay attention to what they are doing with that muzzle. Second, if you think tape or a small party balloon over the muzzle is going to blow your gun up, you may wish to Re-evaluate what condition your gun is in if that's a concern.
 
Boomer said:
Bourgeoisie class indeed.;) But to allow the hired help the opportunity to abuse a cherished rifle is not for me.
Click to expand...

Well at least I don't make my helpers carry my lunch as well like my seniors did to me........ :)

I used to put my seniors lunch in the bottom of my pack and then throw in all of our rock samples on top of it......
 
I have always carried my gun on my left shoulder muzzle facing the ground. Well not always, when I started hunting I carried it right shoulder muzzle up, many a tree was hit with the barrel of the rifle.

Also I can transition from slung to shouldered a whole lot faster with the "African" carry.

Another way I will carry it if I'm tracking something or think there is imminent contact with game is with the butt resting on my right shoulder and my right hand on the barrel (bad! bad! ruins the bluing, I know), man can you ever get the rifle to shoulder quick from that position though. I don't know the name of this carry.
 
The Conor carry.... :) .....

I typically rarely sling my rifle while hunting..... Comes from years and years of upland and being always at the ready......

That being said, when elk hunting I carried muzzle down weak side..... But that was the first time I ever hunted with an empty chamber as per local guide's "rules"......
 
Trimmer 905 said:
Not too darn many that I've ever seen. It's too easy to pack the muzzle with mud and crud. I'm surprised at people putting tape over the muzzle,too. Anything that restricts or blocks the muzzle can result in barrel rupture and banana peel. Not good!
Click to expand...

I don't carry mine down, but electrical tape has no impact on performance of the rifle. People have been doing it for decades.
 
muzzle up on the weak side... when walking through thick bush, I will bump the butt of the rifle into a sling carry, muzzle rearward (when alone), as required to thread the rifle through the bush...

I have no good reason for doing it this way, except I always have and it works fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom