Slings are Things to Carry... Things!

I have slings of all shapes and sizes. One of the more comfortable slings has foam pad and elastic type material. It has some give instead of jarring your shoulder when walking, kinda like the shock absorber affect. There are lots of brands in this config and although they won't last decades like a solid leather sling, they are very comfortable.
 
fiddler said:
I have slings of all shapes and sizes. One of the more comfortable slings has foam pad and elastic type material. It has some give instead of jarring your shoulder when walking, kinda like the shock absorber affect. There are lots of brands in this config and although they won't last decades like a solid leather sling, they are very comfortable.
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Slings which emulate bungies are certainly comfortable carry straps, but have no value as shooting aids for anyone who wishing to exploit the advantages of slinging up. The advantage of slinging up requires webbing, leather, or other non stretching material. An analogy would be the materials that are suitable for vehicle recovery. A rope which stretches 25%-50% of its original length will slingshot the stuck vehicle out of the stuck situation when sufficient power is applied by the accelerating recovery vehicle, without shocking either vehicle. A winch rope, by contrast, cannot stretch if the winch is to operate efficiently, as the pull from the winch cannot load and unload. The stretchy sling material prevents your shoulder from feeling the shock of the rifle when you jump off an obstacle, but the stretch available in the sling prevents it from solidly and consistently anchoring the rifle when you sling up, unless you can arrange to use up 100% of the stretch. Conversely, when you anticipate a movement which will cause a leather sling to jar your shoulder, you can grasp the rifle allowing you arm to absorb the impact, so it does not result in discomfort, but the non stretch material allows you to attain a very consistent and solid shooting platform when using a supported slung up shooting position, as it brings repeatable tension to the bridge of bone you have created between the rifle and the ground.
 
Boomer,
I used to use a Galco Ching sling a lot, but eventually started resenting the third swivel. There gets to be so many rifles that should get one someday and somehow the habit was broken. I haven't found anything that loops up as fast as the original Ching Sling, but might give the safari version a try. In the meantime I sort of went back to a conventional loop sling, also by Galco.

These days I find myself using a straight padded strap that is made in Quebec but can't find a name on it anywhere. Despite seeming like something a greenhorn or tourist would wear, it seems to take the weight right out of a rifle. It's been all over the place now.
 
I often tree stand hunt for deer and wanted a sling that would connect the rifle to me and leave my hands free. I used the leather Viper sling for years, it goes over your head and trigger hand arm. To shoot you just pop a snap and can pick the rifle up in front of you. But this holds the rifle up-side-down and I wanted to have it right-side-up. So I changed to the Boonie Packer Sling. It keeps the rifle positioned upright and level in front of me when in the tree stand, walking or on the ATV. If you need both hands to do something the rifle just hangs from the sling in front of you or at your side. The sling is available at Cabelas and I just bought a second one at the Barrie, ON store. I do not use the sling as a shooting aid, it is just for carrying the rifle.

I am interested in the Ching Sling Safari, is there a version made of nylon? I dislike leather because I find it heavier and when it gets wet it takes a long time to dry.

Thanks, WK
 
Dogleg said:
Boomer,
I used to use a Galco Ching sling a lot, but eventually started resenting the third swivel. There gets to be so many rifles that should get one someday and somehow the habit was broken. I haven't found anything that loops up as fast as the original Ching Sling, but might give the safari version a try. In the meantime I sort of went back to a conventional loop sling, also by Galco.

These days I find myself using a straight padded strap that is made in Quebec but can't find a name on it anywhere. Despite seeming like something a greenhorn or tourist would wear, it seems to take the weight right out of a rifle. It's been all over the place now.
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Try the Safari Ching Sling (all the years have I been advocating this thing, and you still haven't bit??!!) you'll forget all about your elastic band sling.:d
 
Boomer said:
Try the Safari Ching Sling (all the years have I been advocating this thing, and you still haven't bit??!!) you'll forget all about your elastic band sling.:d
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Oh, its not a rubber sling, there's some lines that I won't cross. This is it a few minutes after I shot my Mozambique buffalo. I'll get around to trying the Safari Ching sling one of these days.

 
ive used a boonie packer safari sling for probably 15 or more years on my hunting rifle. it has a lot of advantages over regular slings,being able to have the gun slung .in front and upright ready to fire is the main one.its very comfortable to carry in the front also across the back.for hunting it rocks
 
Vengeance78 said:
Whether going out for a few hours or a few days, a hunter isn't going to carry his rifle in his hands the whole time.

So in regards to rifle shooting slings, what sling do you find the most Comfortable, Versatile (i.e. potential number of positions to carry gun: over one shoulder, two, like a backpack), Durable and Ease of Use for Adjustments.

If you know where you can buy it and the cost as well, that would be great! Too bad we can't makes polls on this forum...
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I utilize leather and synthetic slings, however they must be broad on the upper part so it will distribute the weight of the rifle evenly between my neck and point of shoulder.
I do a lot of walking and don't use the sling all of the time....... I will switch shoulders, cradle then switch, carry with one hand then switch, throw it over one shoulder then switch. I do a lot of switching because my firearms are all heavy, plus I'm old. LOL!!!
 
I love the Ching Sling; mine are from Andy's Leathers. They do require the 3rd swivel install, but it's dead easy.

I've been often tempted by the Safari Ching Sling that Boomer advocates, but haven't gotten around to trying one yet.

I had the Browning X-celerator that Geologist mentioned on a few rifles, but once I tried a Ching Sling I never looked back. I think I still have an X-celerator new and unused in a box someplace.
 
Snapshooting deer spoiled me; slings are for carrying the rifle when your hands have to be full with something else. Otherwise, the rifle is handheld. I prefer a 1 1/4" wide heavy nylon strap sling that doesn't buckle or collapse. It has to have a single buckle slider and another buckle for the static loop. I prefer Michaels brand loops that have the little pin and locking gate. If I look at the #1 rifle, the sling is blaze orange. I prefer to carry my rifle without the sling attached. It is in my hands cradled across my body, resting on my shoulder or balanced with a hand on the barrel. The sling stays bundled in a pocket or the butt pack, and sees daylight when I have to drag something.
 
I just picked up a Rhodesian Ching Sling with Boomer's input from Andy's leather since it is much cheaper than the Galco. All told it was still over $100 thanks to our dollar being in the tank, but after having it out on Saturday and practicing from field positions, it is quite a nice piece.

Now on the other hand, my brother just took some measurements of my sling and made one out of webbing for less than a 10th of the cost and it works just as well, so take your pick....
 
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