Slings, straps, and hunting

John Y Cannuck

John Y Cannuck

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Most of the guys in our camp use a carry strap on their rifles. They call it a sling, but, never attempt to use it as such.


So, how many of you actually use a sling to improve your shooting, WHILE HUNTING, and I don't mean a strap for lugging your rifle, but, something like the US military 'hasty sling'. Designed to brace the shooter.
 
I carry a lightweight, nylon 1" "strap" in my pack or pocket. It only comes out if there is some draggin' to be done.

Quite honestly, I don't even know how to use a "sling" as a shooting aid. :redface:




sc

 
I use a sling to carry. I have proven to my satisfaction while bench shooting my Lee Enfield that it is possible to spring the barrel and throw off your shots considerably if you use a sling incorrectly.
 
You can slide a carry sling off your shoulder from three different positions and bring it into play as a hasty sling as fast as you can bring the rifle from cradle or port arms.
Cat
 
Anytime I am shooting from a supported position I sling up. It only takes a moment with my Safari Ching Sling , so why not? Some guys say that it helps them off hand, but that has not been my experience.
 
John Y Cannuck said:
Not if it gets hung up on brush you can't.
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If you are in brush thick enough to be hanging up on your rifle sling you certainly aren't going to be in any position to be quickly shooting at game.;)

I use a sling on most of my hunting rigs... shotguns and rifles. Many times they are just for walking in and out. But a hasty sling has allowed me to make many shots that I may not have made otherwise.
Besides it is very hard to drag a deer with a gun in one hand.:p
 
I've practiced shooting with sings before, and they do indeed work, but I have rarely used one in the field, mostly because my sing of choice is a neoprene Buter Creek sling, which is nice and comfy for hiking, but a bit stretchy for shooting.

I started using steady stix, they are fantastic.:)
 
BIGREDD said:
If you are in brush thick enough to be hanging up on your rifle sling you certainly aren't going to be in any position to be quickly shooting at game.;)

I use a sling on most of my hunting rigs... shotguns and rifles. Many times they are just for walking in and out. But a hasty sling has allowed me to make many shots that I may not have made otherwise.
Besides it is very hard to drag a deer with a gun in one hand.:p
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I have to admit i'm surprised by the number of people who still claim to be using sligs as shooting aids, however. I remain unconvinced for short range thick stuff.

As to the 'can't shoot in thick brush anyway' type comment above, it's obvious BIGREDD, that you need to use a levergun. :p
 
We all know you are the dogger J/C ... I too am burdened with this responsibility all too often so I know what your saying.:cool:
I'm not saying you can't shoot in cover or in the bush... but I find a sling handy in many cases when I am dogging when I need a hand free to move through or both hands to restrain the hounds! ;)
When you use the proper sling you can tighten it up taut with a simple pull for carrying at the ready and to keep it from swinging loosely or getting hung up! Or simply remove it.. they have this new invention called quick-detach sling swivels...:p
 
BIGREDD said:
We all know you are the dogger J/C ... I too am burdened with this responsibility all too often so I know what your saying.:cool:
I'm not saying you can't shoot in cover or in the bush... but I find a sling handy in many cases when I am dogging when I need a hand free to move through or both hands to restrain the hounds! ;)
When you use the proper sling you can tighten it up taut with a simple pull for carrying at the ready and to keep it from swinging loosely or getting hung up! Or simply remove it.. they have this new invention called quick-detach sling swivels...:p
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How many shots has having that rifle on your shoulder cost you?
I know of one guy that routinely stood on watch with his rifle shouldered on his sling. You know what happenned, big buck, came out and stood there. He's very fast getting the rifle up, but, not as fast as a big buck is at dissappearing. He didn't even get the safety off. His watch, was a clearing, surrounded by dense brush.
 
I use a sling for what it was intended for... carrying a rifle while walking, keeping your rifle on your person while your hands are otherwise occupied and shooting while standing using the hasty sling for stability... not hunting with the gun slung on my shoulder!
I have missed more than my share of deer... but not because of a sling!
 
I prefer to have my rifle, in hand, at all times. Yes, there can be times, when that's a pain, like climing hills that require both hands and feet. However, an unscoped, un slung lever gun, will slip inside your belt perfectly, to enable a climb.
 
John Y Cannuck said:
I prefer to have my rifle, in hand, at all times. Yes, there can be times, when that's a pain, like climing hills that require both hands and feet. However, an unscoped, un slung lever gun, will slip inside your belt perfectly, to enable a climb.
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I can't tell if your pullin my leg or what....
Tell me your not serious... a lever gun stuck inside the belt on your trousers while your climbing a hill!:eek:
And how exactly is this handier than a sling... I must be missing something.:confused:

I'm gonna need to see a pic of this J/C:)
 
John Y Cannuck said:
Not if it gets hung up on brush you can't.
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Or if you fall in the water!
It's already off my shoulder by then.
I guess you can make up worst case scenarios if you want to forr annything.

Slings wwork if used properly, so do stix,and so do bipods.
Advantages and disadvantages to every type of positon assisted apparatus....
Cat
 
I don't mean to sound stupid, but I will anyway; what is the "proper" way to use a sling (hasty or other)? Pics, discreptions? I've tried with a butler creek neoprene on my .444 lever but found it worsened my groups! suggestions?
 
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